Ultrasonic level measurement sensors basically works with sound waves for detection of liquid level. They usually work over the frequency range between 20 kHz to 200 kHz. Read the following Ultrasonic Level Measurement Questions and Answers.
An ultrasonic sound pulse is pulsed 4 times per second from the base of the transducer.
The pulse travels through air, reflects against the process medium below and returns to the transducer.
The sensor measures the pulse time of flight between sound generation and receipt, and translated this into distance or liquid level height within the vessel.
Many application liquids have challenging characteristics that negatively impact contact type sensor performance, maintenance and/or replacement costs.
Examples include corrosive, coating, scaling, viscous and dirty liquids. Ultrasonic sensors are non-contact, and therefore impervious to these characteristics.
The application variables to avoid with ultrasonic are extreme foam, vapor, turbulence or installation in tall fittings with narrow risers.
Foam, vapor and turbulence can absorb and/or deflect away a substantial portion of the return signal.
Tall riser fittings can disrupt the acoustic signal path. Appropriate product selection and installation is important.
The 4-20 mA represents the sensor’s measurement span.
The 4 mA set point is normally placed near the bottom of the empty tank, or the greatest measurement distance from the sensor. The 20 mA set point is normally placed near the top of the full tank, or the shortest measurement distance from the sensor.
The sensor will proportionately generate a 4 mA signal when the tank is empty and a 20 mA signal when the tank is full.
Analog 4-20 mA signals have the following advantages:
The sensor can be installed up to 1000 feet from its point of termination using a shielded, 18-20 gauge twisted pair cable and 24 VDC power supply.
The total loop resistance should not exceed 900 ohms.(Changes from vendor to vendor).
While the 4 mA and 20 mA set point configuration is not fundamentally required, it’s recommended because it optimizes the sensor’s installed performance.
Yes, the sensor can be configured such that the 20 mA set point is empty and the 4 mA set point is full.
Yes, as long as the total loop resistance is less than 900 Ohms (Changes from vendor to vendor).
NPT (National Pipe Threads) are the American standard tapered threads which are applied throughout North America, South America and parts of Asia. G (metric) ISO threads are the European standard straight threads applied throughout Europe and parts of Asia.
Select a sensor range that covers the tank height with at least 25% margin.
In challenging applications with light foam, vapor and/or turbulence, select a sensor range that is double the tank height. The additional sensor will improve performance in such conditions.
Electronic enclosures are fire retardant polycarbonate, cables are polypropylene and transducers are PVDF. The mounting gasket is Viton.
The sensor should be located so that the acoustic signal path is free of obstructions from side-walls, ladders, pipes, mixers and other instruments.
The sensor should be mounted level and/or perpendicular to the liquid surface. If substantial foam, vapor and/or turbulence are present, install the sensor in a stand-pipe.
The sensor can be broadly installed in tank adapters, couplings, flanges, brackets and stand pipes of appropriate size relative to the transducer.
Avoid fitting types that substantially recess the transducer into the fitting or compress the transducer against an inner pipe stop. Use plastic fittings whenever possible.
In most installations, the sensor is hand tightened only. If you use a wrench or tool, be careful not to over-tighten the sensor within the fitting.
The sensor can be elevated up to a maximum of 12″ high in a 6″ diameter riser, 8″ high in a 4″ diameter riser, 6″ high in a 3″ diameter riser and 3″ high in a 2″ diameter riser.
Sensors with a 1″ transducer should be installed in 2″ stand-pipes. Sensors with a 2″ transducer should be installed in 3″ stand-pipes.
On plastic tanks, use a plastic self-aligning bulk head fitting that enables the sensor to be rotated perpendicular relative to the liquid surface. On metal or fiberglass tanks, use a plastic flange fitting with a short riser that accommodates for the slope.
The side mount bracket is a good choice. Users can also fabricate equivalent brackets based on custom size or material requirements.
Typically only one sensor is installed per tank. If you wish to install two sensors, the signals must be isolated to avoid cross-talk interference. This can be done by installing one or both sensors in a stand-pipe.
NEMA 6 enclosure sensors are designed to resist infrequent submersion for short periods of time.
NEMA 4 enclosures are designed to resist frequent splashing the equivalent of direct hose spray and should never be submerged. Generally speaking, the sensor should be located to avoid submersion and/or direct spray under normal conditions.
No, the sensors have non-volatile memory which can only be erased by performing a factory reset.
Factory reset erases any previous user configuration and returns the sensor to its original factory set points.
Check the wiring for an open circuit and verify the power supply.
Check the installation fitting to ensure that its consistent with our guidelines. If the sensor is installed in a metal fitting, switch it to a plastic fitting.
Check the wiring for a short circuit.
Check the fill height configuration set point. Make sure that the fill height setting corresponds to the tank full level (as measured from the empty tank bottom up), and not the distance from the installed sensor to the liquid level (as measured from the sensor down). what is range, tank height, fill height and dead band?
Check to make sure that the sensor is installed correctly. Check to make sure that there is no surface foam or obstructions within the beam path. If so, install the sensor in a stand-pipe to separate its point of measurement from the surface foam, eliminate the obstruction or relocate the sensor.
Check the output at empty setting. Make sure that the desired setting is correct with either 4 mA or 20 mA at empty.
Note: Some of the above mentioned answers may change from vendor to vendor.
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