Quick answers to the questions we hear most often about the Emma Smart Tracker — Surfact's temperature and location tracker for cold chain monitoring. Each answer links to a full guide where available.
About the device
What sensors does Emma have?
Emma measures temperature, humidity, shocks, tilt, motion, light intensity and barometric pressure, and tracks location using GPS/GNSS plus signal triangulation. Read more in Understanding the Hardware Features of Your Emma Smart Tracker.
How big is the device, and how tough is it?
Emma weighs 165 grams - 9cm/3.5 inches in diameter, about the size of a hockey puck - and operates reliably from -40 °C to +85 °C. It will handle freezers, reefers and hot summer loading docks alike. The housing is made from recycled ocean plastic.
How does Emma connect to the internet?
Emma uses cellular 4G/LTE IoT channels (Cat-M1 and NB-IoT) for stable, power-efficient connectivity worldwide. Check availability in your region on the Surfact Global Coverage Map.
Data collection & transmission
How often does Emma send data?
Emma uses adaptive reporting to balance real-time visibility with battery life:
Every 2 hours when conditions are stable
Every 15 minutes when temperature changes, movement or vibration are detected
Instantly for significant events, such as temperature changes beyond 0.5 °C or impacts
See How Your Emma Smart Tracker Collects and Sends Data and How Emma Sends Temperature Data During Rapid Fluctuations.
What happens if Emma loses cellular coverage?
Nothing is lost. Emma keeps collecting data locally, stores up to 14 days in internal memory, and uploads everything automatically when the connection resumes.
Where do I see my Emma data?
In Surfact Signal, the Surfact dashboard — live status, historic temperature, route playback, alerts and compliance reports. Start with Getting Started with Surfact Signal.
Battery
How long does the battery last?
Approximately 2 years under normal usage in rough conditions — Emma runs on three AA batteries with smart power management good for more than 50,000 transmissions. Prolonged extreme cold, frequent temperature fluctuations, continuous movement and poor cellular signal drain it faster. See How to Optimize the Battery Life of Your Emma Tracking Device.
Can I replace the batteries myself?
Yes — if your tracker has the white sticker with the Surfact "S" on the side, you can swap the batteries yourself in seconds: unscrew the lid (bottom facing up), insert three new AA batteries (non-rechargeable lithium recommended for cold chain use), and check that the LED flashes. Full steps in How to Replace Batteries on Your Emma Smart Tracker. Units without the sticker require special tooling — contact support.
Calibration & compliance
Where do I find the calibration certificate for my device?
In the dashboard: open Devices, select your device, and use the URL in the Certificate field to download the PDF. The calibration statement covers ISO 17025 three-point calibration, NIST traceability, accuracy and drift — useful for GxP and regulatory reviews. See Where can I download the calibration certificate and statement of an Emma device?
Why do Emma's readings differ from my truck's cooling unit?
Sensor placement, airflow and cold starts all affect readings — differences are normal and expected. See Why Does The Temperature Readings Differ From the Truck's Heating/Cooling Unit?
Ordering, returns & support
How do I order more Emma trackers?
How do I return a device?
Notify [email protected] first, mark the parcel "Return", and ship it to Surfact AS, Kjelsåsveien 141, 0491 Oslo, Norway. Emma is built tough, so minimal packaging is fine. Details in Returns: Where Do I Send My Emma Smart Tracker?
Still have questions?
Contact Surfact Customer Success — we're happy to help.