A level transmitter is a type of sensor that is used to measure and transmit the level of a liquid or solid material in a container or vessel. It is a critical component in many industrial and commercial processes that require accurate level monitoring, such as in chemical processing, oil and gas refining, water treatment, and food and beverage production.
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Level transmitters can be designed to measure the level of liquids, slurries, or powders, and can use different measurement technologies such as ultrasonic, radar, capacitive, or hydrostatic pressure sensing. The transmitter converts the level measurement into an electrical signal that can be transmitted to a control system or display for monitoring and process control. Level transmitters are essential for maintaining safety, optimizing production efficiency, and ensuring accurate inventory management.
A level transmitter typically works by measuring the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a liquid or solid material at a particular point. The transmitter consists of a sensing element, such as a pressure sensor or a differential pressure sensor, which measures the pressure exerted by the liquid or solid material. This pressure reading is then converted into an electrical signal that is proportional to the level of the liquid or solid material.
In some level transmitters, the sensing element is placed at the bottom of the tank or container, while in others, it is mounted externally on the side of the tank or container. Some level transmitters use other measurement techniques such as ultrasonic, radar, or capacitive measurement to determine the level of the liquid or solid material.
Once the level transmitter has generated the electrical signal, it is sent to a control system, where it can be used to trigger alarms or control the flow of the liquid or solid material. Level transmitters are commonly used in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, water treatment, and food and beverage production.
A water level sensor is a device used to measure and monitor the level of water in a container or body of water. There are several types of water level sensors, but they all generally work by using one of two methods: contact or non-contact.
Contact water level sensors work by physically touching the surface of the water and measuring the distance from the sensor to the water level. These sensors can be simple, such as a float switch that rises and falls with the water level, or more complex, such as a submersible pressure sensor that measures the water pressure at a specific depth.
Non-contact water level sensors work by using various technologies to measure the distance from the sensor to the water surface without physically touching it. These sensors can use ultrasonic waves, laser beams, or radar signals to determine the water level. They are often used in applications where contact sensors may not be practical or may be prone to corrosion or fouling.
Regardless of the type of water level sensor used, the data collected is typically transmitted to a control system or display for monitoring and analysis. Water level sensors are commonly used in applications such as wastewater treatment, irrigation systems, and water storage tanks.
There are several types of level transmitters and sensors used to measure the level of liquids or solids in tanks or vessels. Here are five common types and how they work:
An ultrasonic level sensor is a non-contact type of level sensor that works by emitting ultrasonic waves towards the surface of the liquid and measuring the time it takes for the waves to reflect back to the sensor. The basic principle behind the operation of an ultrasonic level sensor is the time-of-flight measurement.
The sensor emits high-frequency ultrasonic waves that travel through the air and hit the liquid surface. When the ultrasonic waves reach the surface, they reflect back to the sensor. The time it takes for the waves to travel from the sensor to the surface and back is measured and used to calculate the distance between the sensor and the liquid surface.
The distance measurement is then converted into a level measurement by using the known distance from the sensor to the bottom of the tank or vessel. The level measurement is displayed on the sensor's screen or transmitted to a control system for monitoring or control purposes.
Ultrasonic level sensors are commonly used in a variety of industries, including water treatment, chemical processing, food and beverage, and oil and gas. They are ideal for measuring the level of liquids that are corrosive, sticky, or have a high solids content, as they do not come into contact with the liquid being measured.
A radar level sensor is a non-contact level measurement device that uses electromagnetic waves to measure the distance from the sensor to the surface of the liquid or solid being measured. The sensor emits a high-frequency radio wave signal which is directed towards the surface of the liquid or solid, and the signal is reflected back to the sensor's antenna.
The time taken for the signal to travel to the surface and back is measured, and this time is used to calculate the distance from the sensor to the surface. The distance is then converted into a level measurement and displayed on a screen or transmitted to a control system.
Radar level sensors are highly accurate and can measure the level of liquids and solids with high precision, even in harsh industrial environments. They are also unaffected by temperature, pressure, or the properties of the material being measured. This makes them ideal for use in applications such as tanks, silos, and other vessels used in the oil and gas, chemical, and food and beverage industries.
A capacitance level sensor is a type of level transmitter that operates based on the principle of capacitance. It measures the level of a liquid or solid material by detecting changes in capacitance as the level changes.
The sensor consists of two electrodes, one of which is a conductive probe that extends into the liquid or material being measured, and the other is a reference electrode that is usually located outside the container or tank. The probe electrode acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the liquid or material acts as the dielectric medium, while the reference electrode acts as the other plate.
When there is no liquid or material present, the capacitance between the electrodes is at its lowest level. As the level of liquid or material rises, it fills the gap between the probe and reference electrodes, increasing the capacitance. The level sensor measures the change in capacitance and converts it into a level measurement.
Capacitance level sensors are commonly used in applications where non-contact measurement is required or where the liquid or material being measured is non-conductive. They are widely used in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment plants, as well as in oil and gas refineries, chemical plants, and other industries where accurate and reliable level measurement is critical.
A pressure level sensor is a device that measures the level of liquids, gases, and other fluids by sensing the pressure at a certain depth. It typically consists of a probe or diaphragm that is immersed in the fluid and connected to a pressure transducer.
As the fluid level rises or falls, the pressure on the probe or diaphragm changes accordingly. The pressure transducer then converts this pressure into an electrical signal, which is used to determine the level of the fluid. The principle behind this technology is based on Pascal's law, which states that the pressure exerted by a fluid at rest is transmitted uniformly in all directions.
The accuracy of a pressure level sensor depends on various factors such as the design of the probe, the type of pressure transducer, and the calibration of the sensor. This type of sensor is commonly used in applications such as water and wastewater treatment, oil and gas production, and industrial processes where accurate level measurement is critical for efficient operation and safety.
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A float level sensor is a type of level sensor that measures liquid levels by detecting the position of a float that is suspended in the liquid. The float is usually made of a buoyant material and is attached to a metal stem. As the liquid level changes, the float moves up or down along the stem, and this movement is detected by a sensor located on the stem.
The sensor works by measuring the change in magnetic field as the float moves past it. The sensor consists of a magnetic core surrounded by a coil of wire. As the float moves past the sensor, the magnetic field in the core changes, which induces a voltage in the coil. This voltage is then converted into a level reading.
Float level sensors are commonly used in applications where the liquid being measured is not corrosive or aggressive to the materials used in the sensor. They are simple to install and operate, and they can be used in a wide range of industries, including water treatment, chemical processing, and food and beverage production. However, they may not be suitable for liquids with high viscosity or those that contain solids or debris that could interfere with the movement of the float.
A hydrostatic level transmitter is a type of level sensor used to measure liquid levels in tanks and other vessels. It works on the principle of hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by a fluid due to its weight.
The hydrostatic level transmitter consists of a sensing element that is placed at the bottom of the tank or vessel, submerged in the liquid. The sensing element is a diaphragm or a pressure sensor that is sensitive to changes in pressure. As the liquid level rises or falls, the pressure exerted by the liquid on the sensing element changes, and this change in pressure is converted into an electrical signal by the sensing element.
The electrical signal is then transmitted to a control system or a display device, where it is used to calculate the liquid level. The level is calculated based on the principle that the pressure exerted by a liquid is directly proportional to its height, density, and gravity. The hydrostatic level transmitter is accurate, reliable, and suitable for a wide range of liquids, including corrosive and hazardous liquids. It is commonly used in industrial and process applications, such as water treatment, chemical processing, and oil and gas production.
Accurate level sensors are important because they help ensure the efficient and safe operation of various industrial processes. If the level sensor provides inaccurate readings, it can lead to overfilling or underfilling of tanks, which can cause equipment damage, production downtime, or even safety hazards.
For example, in the oil and gas industry, accurate level sensors are critical for monitoring the levels of oil, gas, and water in storage tanks and pipelines. In the food and beverage industry, accurate level sensors are used to monitor the levels of ingredients in mixing tanks to ensure the correct product formulation. In the pharmaceutical industry, accurate level sensors are used to monitor the levels of fluids in vessels to ensure proper chemical reactions.
Therefore, accurate level sensors can help improve the quality and consistency of the end product, reduce the risk of equipment damage, and increase operational efficiency and safety.
My project involves a water tank (5 gal bucket now and maybe a large pickling barrel later) which supplies water for a pump. I have seen some liquid level sensors online but I do not want to pay $25-35 for one of these. All I need is a sensor to notify the photon when water has diminished to a certain level. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this or a cheaper sensor that I could buy and modify to do this?
Thanks
Water conducts electricity, so you could make a simple digital switch using water and two probe wires at the level you want to test for. (Just make sure the probes are sealed in.) When the switch reads LOW, the wires would no longer be conducting with the water so the water would be below that point.
Technically, it doesn't. Pure water is an insulator, and the conductivity varies wildly. Seeing as real life isn't perfect, it'll probably conduct though.
That said, why not use a float switch? They're cheap, easily accessible, and simply to use.
You could also use one of these distance sensors to measure the height of the water from the top of the bucket. Just keep water off the sensor via some sort of rig which shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
I don’t think the circuit provided by @nrobinson is going to work; there’s no power source there so what would you be measuring? I have made a water level detector with a Photon, using a voltage divider circuit, like you have in your other post. The probes act as one of the resistors of the divider, and the actual resistor needs to be quite large, in the megohm range. I got a significant change in readings between the probes being in or out of my tap water. I just used some tinned connection wire as my probes.
I’d also vote for the Float Switch. I’ve used Stainless Steel Float Switches that cost $5-$8.
But you can also use 2 wires connected to a Digital Pin and Ground.
The code below triggers when TAP Water reaches both wires, you would want to modify.
/*
Simple Script to monitor 2 wires instead of a float Switch for High Water Alarm
INSTRUCTIONS: Connect 1 wire to Ground and the other wire to Digital Pin 6. You're Done! Place both wires in the Container (say 1" apart). Alarm condition when water reaches both wires.
*/
#define alarm_delay
unsigned long previousMillis;
unsigned int lastAlarm = 0;
int Water = D6; // 2 wire "Switch" will be connected to Ground and Digital Pin 6
int Switch = 1; // Set to HIGH for startup (High Signal means the Switch is hanging in air- "no water". We dont want a false alarm at system startup.
void setup() {
pinMode(Water, INPUT_PULLUP); // Bring the pin HIGH. The circuit will be grounded when the Switch CLOSES (when water reaches the 2-Wires) and pull D6 LOW.
Serial.begin();
}
void loop() {
Switch = digitalRead(Water);
if (Switch == 0) { // 0 is LOW, so the circuit was grounded by the 2-Wire float switch (HIGH WATER Condition)
unsigned long now = millis();
if ((now - lastAlarm) > alarm_delay) {
Particle.publish("ALARM", "HIGHWATER"); // Water has reached the 2 wires.
lastAlarm = now;
}
}
delay(100);
}
#define alarm_delay
unsigned long previousMillis;
unsigned int lastAlarm = 0;
int Water = D6; // 2 wire "Switch" will be connected to Ground and Digital Pin 6
int Switch = 0; // Set to HIGH for startup (High Signal means the Switch is hanging in air- "no water". We dont want a false alarm at system startup.
void setup() {
pinMode(Water, INPUT_PULLUP); // Bring the pin HIGH. The circuit will be grounded when the Switch CLOSES (when water reaches the 2-Wires) and pull D6 LOW.
Serial.begin();
}
void loop() {
Switch = digitalRead(Water);
if (Switch == 1) { // 0 is LOW, so the circuit was grounded by the 2-Wire float switch (HIGH WATER Condition)
unsigned long now = millis();
if ((now - lastAlarm) > alarm_delay) {
Particle.publish("ALARM", "LOWWATER"); // Water has reached the 2 wires.
lastAlarm = now;
}
}
delay(100);
}
I changed your code to this and it seems to work great. I really appreciate the help!
Resistance and capacitance are both frequently used to detect liquids and are reliably used for that in the food industry. When applying a DC voltage to water however you are likely to see buildup on the sense electrodes as charged particles get attracted to them. To avoid it these resistance circuits usually use an AC signal, you can probably find a few examples online if you look hard enough.
Other methods include a load cell or liquid level eTapes both of which could tell you how much liquid is in your bucket. As could a pressure sensor…
As mentioned above there are also distance sensors both sonic and optical you could probably employ as well if you were feeling adventurous.
The simplest answer is always going to be a float however
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