AchieVe: New Submersible Level Sensors From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has announced three new submersible level transmitters with analog outputs for clean water and wastewater applications.
Starting with economic PLCs in the early 90s, AutomationDirect is now an online e-commerce website that supplies automation components, with an extensive catalog of sensors, motion control components, HMIs, cables, tools, and safety devices.
Recently, AutomationDirect has extended its existing line of level sensors to include a line of submersible sensors. The AchieVe and ProSense are both submersible level transmitters. The AchieVe is an economical general-purpose sensor, while the ProSense is designed for water applications.
Level Detection
There are many ways to detect the level of medium within a vessel. Differential pressure, ultrasonic level sensors, float switches, capacitance sensors, and vibration fork level switches, all of which will report a high, low, or analog level of a product within a vessel.
Some level sensors provide an analog measurement, while others act like limit switches, providing either on or off signals. The new series of sensors from AutomationDirect are submersible sensors, meant to be placed at the bottom of the vessel with a liquid medium so the hydrostatic pressure can be measured and scaled to an analog signal. This style of level sensor can provide a continuous level measurement as the product is being transferred in or out.
New submersible level transmitter products. Image used courtesy of AutomationDirect
AchieVe Submersible Level Transmitter
The AchieVe series is designed for applications that require a small, economical sensor to detect continuous levels. The AchieVe family has three models to choose from, all of which have a 4-20 mA output and a diameter of 0.825 in.
The different versions are capable of detecting different columns of water. The ELT-005-L30 can detect 11.5 ft of water, the ELT-015-L60 can detect up to 34.6 ft of water, and the ELT-050-L140 can up to 115.5 ft of water.
The cables connected to each sensor are shielded and vented, ranging from 30 to 140 ft depending on the variation chosen. Each sensor has a stainless steel diaphragm with a polyamide protective cap and is advertised as having a 1% total error band accuracy. The AchieVe starts at $298.00 (USD) for the ELT-005-L30, with the ELT-050-L140 costing $411.00 (USD)
ProSense Submersible Level Transmitter
The ProSense family of submersible transmitters comes in two flavors: the GPLT series and the NFLT series. Both types employ the same technology as the AchieVe, where the hydrostatic pressure produced by the height of the water above the sensor is measured. All of the variations in both series use a 4-20 mA output signal, use a shielded and vented cable, and are made of rugged stainless steel.
The ProSense GPLT series transmitter. Image used courtesy of AutomationDirect
The GPLT series is capable of measuring depths of 11.5 to 115.5 ft, is rated for hazardous locations, and is ideal for use in water-measuring applications. Cable lengths range from 30 to 140 ft, and each sensor has a 1% total error band accuracy rating.
The ProSense NFLT series transmitter. Image used courtesy of AutomationDirect
The NFLT series is designed for wastewater applications where the water in which the sensor is submersed will have particles that would otherwise damage the diaphragm. The NFLT uses a non-fouling design along with a Kynar sensing membrane. This special membrane allows for superior abrasion and puncture resistance, whereas other sensors would require large shields to achieve the same level of protection. The sensing range of the NFLT series is from 11.5 to 69.2 ft, with cable lengths of 30 to 100 ft. The body of the sensor is slightly larger than the GPLT series at 1.26 in and has a 0.5% total error band accuracy rating.
