Ultrasonic Long Range Wireless Tank Level Sensor Brochure

Device Overview

Introducing NCD’s Ultrasonic Long Range Wireless Tank Level Sensor, boasting up to a 2 Mile range using a wireless mesh networking architecture. Incorporating a corrosion resistant Ultrasonic proximity detection sensor, this wireless device transmits highly accurate tank levels as distance values at user-defined intervals. The Ultrasonic tank level sensor features 1mm resolution with a distance measurement range of 40 to 9999mm.  Please note the recommended useful range is 500 to 9999mm for best reliability. The Ultrasonic tank level sensor is IP67 rated and comes with a 75 inch (1.9 Meter) probe while the transmitter has a IP65 rating.

Applications requiring 100% reading-to-reading reliability should not use Ultrasonic Tank Level Sensors at a distance closer than 500mm.  Although many users have found a Ultrasonic Tank Level Sensor to work reliably from 0 to 50cm for detecting objects, it is not guaranteed to have operational reliability for objects closer than the minimum reported distance. Because of ultrasonic physics, these sensors are unable to achieve 100% reliability at close distances.

Feature

  • Industrial Grade Ultrasonic Tank Level Sensor
  • Reading-to-Reading stability of 1mm at 1 Meter (typical)
  • 500 to 9999mm Measurement Range with 1mm Resolution
  • 40 to 499mm Measurement Range with Reduced Reliability
  • Target Size Compensation for Greater Consistency and Accuracy
  • Fully Calibrated and Linearized with Temperature Compensation
  • Long Range Wireless Range of Up to 2 Miles Line of Sight
  • 128-Bit AES Encrypted Wireless Communications
  • Standard Electrical 3/4 Inch PVC Pipe Fitting
  • Supports Smart Percentage Detection Change Mode
  • Validates and Retries on Lost Communication Packets
Figure 1: Device Overview

Wireless Technology

The NCD Industrial range of sensors utilizes DigiMesh, a proprietary networking technology designed by Digi® International. It is especially suitable for IIoT applications as it provides a number of benefits over conventional wireless stacks:

  • Long range – 2 miles+ in line of sight conditions, estimated 1000 ft indoors.
  • Mesh networking topology – no single point of failure, self healing network with high redundancy.
  • Long battery life due to low power consumption – up to 10 years
  • Simplified provisioning – extending the mesh network via repeater at no additional configuration complexity
  • Works in the 868MHz, 900MHz and 2.4GHz bands – worldwide region interoperability.

Battery Life

SpecificationsMinimumNominalMaximumNotes
Batteries-1-The devices comes with a single 9000mAh battery
Battery Life 1 TPD10 YearsTPD Transmissions per Day
Battery Life 12 TPD8 YearsTPD Transmissions per Day
Battery Life 24 TPD5 YearTPD Transmissions per Day
Battery Life 96 TPD3 YearTPD Transmissions per Day
Ultrasonic Tank Battery Life

The Truth About Battery Life

Under the best of circumstances, the best non-rechargeable batteries commonly available today are limited to a 10 year non-working shelf life in a room temperature environment. Factors such as actual usage, temperature, and humidity will impact the working life. Be wary of any battery claims in excess of 10 years, as this would only apply to the most exotic and expensive batteries that are not commonly available. Also note that most battery chemistries are not rated for use in extreme temperatures. NCD only uses the best Non-Rechargeable Lithium batteries available today, which are also rated for use in extreme temperatures and have been tested by our customers in light radioactive environments. Lithium batteries offer a 10 year maximum expected shelf life due to limitations of battery technology. NCD will never rate sensor life beyond the rated shelf life of the best batteries available today, which is currently 10 years.

Applications & Use-cases

The Ultrasonic Long Range Wireless Tank Level Sensor is capable of monitoring key environmental metrics like CO2 levels, temperature, humidity in real-time. Such a sensor can be useful in various industries and sectors due to its ability to wirelessly transmit critical environmental data for analysis and decision-making.

Ultrasonic Long Range Wireless Tank Level Sensor Applications

Municipal Water Management

The sensor can be deployed in municipal water storage tanks to monitor water levels across different facilities. It enables central control rooms to maintain an efficient water supply and avoid unexpected shortages, part

Smart City Solutions for Waste Management

Smart cities can use this tank level sensor on liquid waste storage tanks to monitor fill levels and optimize collection schedules. By knowing which tanks are close to full, waste management companies can prioritize pickups, reducing transportation costs and minimizing overflow risks.

Oil and Gas Tank Monitoring

This sensor can be used to monitor crude oil, gasoline, or other petroleum product levels in storage tanks. Wireless data transmission allows operators in the oil and gas industry to monitor tank levels remotely, facilitating efficient inventory management and ensuring a stable supply chain.

Food and Beverage Industry for Ingredient Storage

In the food and beverage industry, tanks are used to store ingredients like oils, syrups, and other liquid ingredients. This sensor can help manufacturers monitor ingredient levels in real-time, automate restocking alerts, and maintain consistent production without manual checks.

Ultrasonic Long Range Wireless Tank Level Sensor Use-cases

Remote Water Tank Monitoring for Agricultural Irrigation

Farmers can install the tank level sensor on water storage tanks used for irrigation. The sensor can monitor the water level and transmit real-time data wirelessly to a control system or mobile device. This setup enables efficient water management, ensuring that tanks are refilled before depletion and automating irrigation schedules based on tank levels.

Fuel Tank Monitoring for Industrial Generators

In industries that rely on backup generators, fuel tanks must be monitored continuously to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during outages. This sensor can be mounted on generator fuel tanks to provide real-time fuel level data, helping maintenance teams manage fuel supply proactively and reducing the risk of generator downtime.

Chemical Storage Tank Monitoring in Manufacturing

Many manufacturing plants store various chemicals for production processes. Monitoring the levels of these chemicals is essential for safety and operational efficiency. This sensor can be used to track the levels of chemicals stored in large tanks, alerting operators to refill them when levels are low and avoiding potential disruptions in the production line.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities Monitoring

Wastewater treatment plants have multiple tanks that require constant level monitoring to maintain balance in the treatment process. This ultrasonic sensor can monitor levels in treatment and holding tanks, enabling operators to manage inflow and outflow efficiently, reducing the risk of overflow or system failure.