Quick answer: The testo 160 E is a Wi-Fi data logger with two external probe connections. It does not provide a useful temperature, humidity, light or UV reading until an appropriate supported external probe is installed. Connect the probes, verify their positions inside the monitored case, commission the supported cloud service and test the limit alarms.
Choose the correct probes before configuring the logger
Testo identifies the 160 E as product 0572 2022. It is designed for unobtrusive exhibit and collection monitoring; compatible external probe choices include a temperature/RH probe, a lux probe and a lux/UV probe. Testo permits up to two compatible probes connected at once, subject to the actual supported pairing. A 160 E with two empty sockets is not a complete humidity monitoring solution. For related guidance, see Configure Temperature and Humidity Monitoring : Choose the correct.
The remote sensor can sit in a glass display case while the logger body remains outside. This reduces visual impact and helps place the measuring element where the object is exposed rather than only in the surrounding room. For more detail on choosing temperature probes.
Installation in a display case
- Identify whether the priority is RH/temperature, illumination, UV exposure, or two separate supported probe quantities.
- Select the proper plug-in probes and verify their manufacturer part numbers; route the cable without pinching it in a sharp door or compromising the enclosure seal.
- Mount the logger discreetly and install the sensors in representative positions away from lamps and walls when those are not the intended measurement points.
- Provide batteries or an approved USB power supply and commission the Wi-Fi device through the supported Testo platform.
- Confirm each probe channel displays a plausible live value and labels correctly. Configure sampling and alarms and test notifications.
Why inside/outside readings disagree
A climate sensor inside a cabinet records that microenvironment. A second sensor in the room may register different RH because the enclosure limits air exchange and may contain silica gel or other buffering materials. Neither measurement alone proves collection safety. The aim is to measure the zone relevant to the protected object. To compare differing RH measurements more systematically, see why hygrometers show different readings.
Example: observing a humidity excursion
Hypothetical: a display-case RH channel reads 46%, rises to 54% after maintenance and returns to 47% the next day. The maximum change from baseline is 8 percentage points RH. Whether the excursion matters depends on the conservation policy, duration and object sensitivity; no universal artifact-safe RH threshold can be inferred from these numbers.
Resolve missing probe data
| Symptom | Practical first check |
|---|---|
| RH is blank, lux is working | RH probe present, compatible, seated and mapped |
| Display-case response looks delayed | Cable placement, case buffering and sample interval |
| All remote updates stop | Wi-Fi, power and cloud account/status |
| Lux changes when lights are off | Probe position, ambient illumination and channel identity |
Cloud account and calibration cautions
Manufacturer pages from different commercial generations describe older Testo Cloud plans as well as newer Smart Connect subscriptions. Use the login, license and commissioning instructions for the actual deployment, not a mix of legacy and current screenshots. The logger retains data temporarily during some connectivity interruptions, but recovery must be checked in the specific setup. Keep calibration records for the attached probe, not just the logger body. For broader selection and setup guidance, see the temperature and humidity data logger guide.