Ultrasonic Level Sensors & Level Monitoring

Compatible Products

Ultrasonic Level Sensors & Level Monitoring

Monitor liquid levels with an Ultrasonic Sensor and a ControlByWeb® module (See recommended products below) Receive text messages or email alerts when a user-specified level is reached. Log and plot the level history, and more.

How Do Ultrasonic Level Sensors Work

Ultrasonic level sensors work by using ultrasonic waves to measure the distance from a target (i.e., a liquid surface). It measures distance by gauging the difference between the time the wave signal was sent, and the time the same wave was received after it bounced off of the surface.

For example, an ultrasonic water level sensor sends a signal that then bounces off of the liquid water level’s surface. This signal then returns back to the sensor which measures the round-trip time it takes for the signal to travel. The sensor uses the measured time to calculate the distance to the surface of the liquid. The sensor reports the distance to a display and/or a controller. Using this distance, along with the tank’s dimensions and volume, you can calculate how much liquid is left in the tank that you’re monitoring. ControlByWeb modules can calculate this information for you.

Features

Monitor liquid levels
Real-time level monitoring both locally and remotely
Industrial-level monitoring for mobile and static locations
Log level history
Email/text notifications for high/low levels
And much more…

Compatible Products

Ultrasonic Sensor Programmer (RST-3002) For 4-20mA sensors only
ControlByWeb Controller Module
Power Supply

Liquid Types

Ultrasonic Level Sensor works well with many clean liquids; however, it is not ideal for foamy liquids, and chemicals that produce vapors, like gasoline.

These types of liquid can cause false readings when used with ultrasonic sensors.

Ultrasonic Sensor Benefits

Easy to install.
Provide a reliable, non-contact method for level monitoring!

Sensor Ranges

We provide monitoring solutions for ranges from 4 inches to 50 feet.

Sensor Accuracy

Sensors are accurate within 0.25% of its detected range.

Ultrasonic Sensors with ControlByWeb Products

Real-Time Monitoring

Each ultrasonic level sensor can be connected to a compatible ControlByWeb module (see below) to remotely monitor liquid levels in real-time using a standard web browser or mobile device. Liquid levels can be presented to the user as a simple liquid height measurement, or the module can be configured to calculate the volume of liquid used or the volume remaining in the tank and present that to the user. No special software required.

Email and Text Alerts

When an ultrasonic sensor is connected to a ControlByWeb module, it can be configured to alert you via email or text whenever certain levels are reached.

Logging and Graphing

Log and graph tank and level data. Email log files at regular intervals.

Control Options

In addition to simple remote monitoring, ControlByWeb modules are fully programmable and provide custom control capabilities as well. For example, you can connect a pump to a relay or an output on a ControlByWeb module and remotely run the pump manually, or configure module to run the pump to run automatically if the level gets too low.

Ultrasonic Sensor connected to the X-420 to monitor tank levels. All products in this diagram can be purchased below.

View live tank levels with ControlByWeb’s product’s built-in interface using a standard web browser

Common Level Monitoring Industries

Ultrasonic sensors are commonly used in the following industries:

Medical Facilities
Agricultural
Waste Water Management

Programming the Ultrasonic Sensor using the RST-3002

Ultrasonic Sensor Setup

Connect Ultrasonic Sensor to the RST-3002 programming module, and adjust the parameters to suit your needs.

Disconnect Sensor from the RST-3002 and connect to a ControlByWeb product such as the X-418 or the X-420.

Connect the ControlByWeb product to your network. See Establishing Communications with ControlByWeb Products

Install Ultrasonic Sensor into the top of the tank.

Monitor your tank level from the internet anywhere in the world!

Do inlet pipes or weld seams pose an issue to the ultrasonic sensor?

Inlet pipes and weld seams should not pose an issue as long as the sensor is mounted far enough away from the wall or pipe. If you do experience interference, consider repositioning the sensor farther away from the wall or pipe.

I have a 25ft tank, should I get the 25ft sensor?

The ultrasonic sensor can get inconsistent in its readings as it approaches the maximum range. If your tank is close to the maximum range of a particular sensor, we recommend getting the next highest range.

Can you use ultrasonic sensors for monitoring solid levels?

Oftentimes solid targets result in false readings for ultrasonic sensors due to their uneven or soft nature. If using the Ultrasonic Sensor to monitor solids, we recommend using a sensor designed for double the desired range to get a more accurate reading.

The Ultrasonic Sensor should not be used for monitoring Flour and other fine powders, as the powder will absorb the sound.

Can I use the Ultrasonic Sensor for motion detection?

While the ultrasonic sensor is not ideal for home security, (as they are not designed to detect fast moving objects), they are commonly used in society for object detection. They are used to help cars detect and avoid objects while backing up. They are used to detect cars in a fast food drive-through. They’re even used in tracking cars through a car wash. There are many applications that the ultrasonic sensor can be used for.

How do I connect a pump to these modules?

The X-418 module only has analog inputs so another module such as WebRelay will be needed as well for pump control (we have many modules that have relays). The X-418 and X-420 can seamlessly control relays in other ControlByWeb modules whether they are physically located next to each other or miles apart. Depending on the size and power requirements of your pump, you will likely need to use a larger, power relay between WebRelay and the pump. The X-420 has two digital I/O terminals that can be configured as outputs and used to control a pump. To use those outputs you will need to connect a solid state relay to the outputs and use that to control the pump (see the 400 Series users manuals for more information).