Laser Level Sensor

Continuous
laser level
and
position
Instruction sensor

Manual
AL40/AL100

Page 1
 Table of Contents
1. Introduction page 3

2. Applications page 4

3. Quick Setup page 5

4. Menu Setup page 6-10

5. Performance DATA Sheet page 11

6. CE Certificate page 12

7. Drawings page 13

Page 2
 Introduction
The laser level sensor (AL40/AL100) is a non-contact, level measuring instrument designed for
granular solid materials and opaque liquids.

Operating Principal
The AL40/AL100 uses a high speed laser pulse to measure distance. The laser light is emitted
towards the surface and some of it reflects back to the instrument where it is detected by a
sensitive optical receiver. The time it takes for the light to travel to the surface and back to the
instrument is directly proportional to the distance between the instrument and the surface. Using
a time-of-flight calculation, and knowing the height of the vessel, the AL40/AL100 accurately
measures the distance to the target surface using the equation below:
Level = height - speed of light x time-of-flight

Mounting and Setup

The AL40/AL100 is mounted on top of a storage vessel aiming downwards towards the surface.
Using the visible laser pointer, the position and angle of the AL40/AL100 can be adjusted so
that the instrument measures all the way to the bottom of the vessel. Settings such as distance
for the 4-20 mA output; and the relay switching points, can be entered into the instrument either
before installation, or in site using the on-board LCD display and push buttons. Another
recommended accessory is the steel dust tube which keeps the optical system of the
AL40/AL100 clean for long periods.

Range
The AL40/AL100 is able to measure the level in silos because of the inherent long distance
capability of laser technology. The laser has a natural advantage because it gets strong, clear
signals from most types of granular solid materials. As the laser beam doesn’t spread out and
lose strength as it travels, there is little signal loss with increased distance.
AL40 & AL100 Display & push button

Key Features
• Non Contact Level Measurement
• Fast setup, configuration & commissioning
• Accuracy 0.1% of full range
• Power supply 90-260Vac and 24Vdc
• 4-20mA output (Namur Compliant)
• IP65 rated enclosure
• 2 x Relay Outputs
• NC/COM/NO 5A at 250V AC
• Local Display : 4 Digit, 7-segment led display 0.10-40.00/100
• High Resolution ( Up to 0.01meters)
• Fast Refresh Rate ( 10 readings per second)
• Low Power Consumption ( 200mA)
• CE approval
• Optional Stainless Steel Enclosure

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 Applications
Suitable for:
 Petrochemicals
 Chemical Processes
 Food & Beverage Industries
 Mining Industries
 Metal Industries
 Grain, Seed & Feed
 Cement & Aggregates
 Pulp & Paper
 Positioning

AL40/AL100 Laser Transmitter:

• 40 or 100 metre range (Standard)
• LED display
• Push button keypad
• 4-20mA output
• 2 programmable relay/alarm outputs
• IP65 rating
• Optional dust tube
• Universal power supply

Page 4
Quick Setup

1. Apply Power to the relevant terminals

2. Once powered up, the unit will display the measured distance
3. Press the MENU key
4. Enter Password 40 (use the up and down keys to scroll)
5. Set your Full distance (maximum distance)
6. Set Your Span (If different from maximum distance)
7. Set Relays if required
8. Select either Level or Distance mode
9. Turn on Dust mode if required

Press the MENU key again and select yes to save your settings
and exit programming mode

For more detailed programming instructions continue with this user

manual.
Page 5
 Menu Set-up
When the instrument is first powered up, it will display the model number and then the software
version number.

n.sig on the display means No Signal. This may happen when the unit is face down on the
bench while configuring, for example.

At any time when in the programming mode, should you wish to EXIT, press the MENU button.
EHIT will appear for one second on the screen and then it will ask you YES or NO. Confirm
YES or NO using the UP or DOWN buttons, and then press ENTER

By selecting YES the instrument will first save all values changed and then exit the
programming mode back to the RUN mode. If NO is selected all changes will be disregarded

During the programming MODE the relays will not change state and mA output will be constant
on the last updated value.

Setup: To Begin Setup Press MENU

HOME
When running the LCD will display the actual distance or level measured.

When you press the MENU button on the display, it will display PASS on the screen for 1
second then it will show zero.

PASSWORD
On the display it will show PASS

If you want to enter and change the different parameters, select the UP button to change the
password to 40 and press ENTER.

FULL
On the display it will show Full then 40.00

The full distance is the full range to be measured. To change this distance use the UP and
DOWN button. When complete press the ENTER button. The units of the FULL distance is in
meters.

The maximum range that can be selected is 40.00m 100.0m (model dependent) and the
minimum is 0.1m. (DEFAULT = 40.00m or 100.0m)

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 Menu Set-up
SPAN
On display it will show SPAN

The SPAN is the distance between the FULL distance and 100% (20mA). The SPAN is
changeable using the UP or DOWN buttons. It is used to calculate the 4-20mA range of the
instrument. When done press the ENTER button.

The units of the SPAN is in meters.

RELAY 1
On display it will show r1,on

This is to activate the Relay 1 output. The parameter is changeable from OFF to ON by pressing
the UP and DOWN buttons. After selection press the ENTER button. (DEFAULT = OFF)

When selected to the ON mode r1,ST will appear on the screen. (Switch Point).

This is the distance where the relay must be switched ON. The unit is in meters and to change
the value use the UP or DOWN button. After the correct value is selected press the ENTER
button.

The maximum range that can be selected is 40.00m or 100.0m (depending on model) and the
minimum is 0.01m. (DEFAULT = 10.00m)

It will then prompt the r1,rS distance (Reset Point).

This is the distance where the relay must be switched OFF. The unit is in meters and to change
the value use the UP or DOWN button. After the correct value is selected press the ENTER
button.
The maximum range that can be selected is 40.00m or 100.0m (depending on model) and the
minimum is 0.01m. (DEFAULT = 10.00m)

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RELAY 2
On display it will show r2,on

This is to activate the Relay 2 output. The parameter is changeable from OFF to ON by pressing
the UP and DOWN buttons. After selection press the ENTER button. (DEFAULT = OFF)

When selected to the ON mode r2,ST will appear on the screen. (Switch Point).

This is the distance where the relay must be switched ON. The unit is in meters and to change
the value use the UP or DOWN button. After the correct value is selected press the ENTER
button.

The maximum range that can be selected is 40.00m or 100.0m (depending on model) and the
minimum is 0.01m. (DEFAULT = 10.00m)

It will then prompt the r2,rS distance (Reset Point).

This is the distance where the relay must be switched OFF. The unit is in meters and to change
the value use the UP or DOWN button. After the correct value is selected press the ENTER
button.

The maximum range that can be selected is 40.00m or 100.0m (depending on model) and the
minimum is 0.01m. (DEFAULT = 10.00m)

mA
On display it will show AnA.o

Here the mA can be changed to either output a 0-20mA or a 4-20mA signal.

To change the parameter use the UP or DOWN buttons. When selected press the ENTER
button.

Selectable settings: 4-20mA, 0-20mA. (DEFAULT = 4-20mA)

FAIL SAFE TIME

On display it will show F.tin

This is the time delay setting for when the unit will go into FAIL SAFE mode. This is normally
when NO signal is received. Could be out of Range.

The units displays in seconds and is changeable using the UP or DOWN keys. When selected
press the ENTER button.

The maximum range that can be selected is 300sec and the minimum is 0sec. (DEFAULT =
10sec)

When this FAIL SAFE time has been met, the unit will output the selected Fail Safe as below.

FAIL SET
On display it will show F.SET
The FAIL SAFE setting is when the unit does not receive a signal and the fail time has counted
down. The unit will change the mA output to the selected Namur NE43 setting. The units are in
mA.
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This is selectable between 4 different settings. The settings are selectable using the UP or
DOWN buttons. When selected press the ENTER button.

Selectable settings: 3.2mA, 3.6mA, 21mA or 24mA. (DEFAULT = 3.2mA)

PARAMETER 8 – RATE
On display it will show rATE

This is the update rate at which the unit will update the measured distance. It can be activated
using the UP or DOWN buttons. To activate it select YES and press the ENTER button.

It will then display SET on the screen. This is measured in meters and changeable using the UP
or DOWN buttons. When the desired update rate is selected press the ENTER button.

Example:
When the current distance is 1m and the next distance is measured at 2m, with the RATE
selected in off mode the distance will increase instantly. With the Rate selected in ON mode
and with a setting of 0.1m, the distance will update every second adding only 0.1m until it
reaches 2m.
The maximum range that can be selected is 1.00m and the minimum is 0.01m. (DEFAULT =
1.00m)

PARAMETER 9 – APPLICATION
On display it will show APP

The application can be selected for either LEVEL mode or DISTANCE mode.

LEVEL mode is used in level applications. To change the application mode select between LEV
and DIST using the UP or DOWN buttons. When the mode is selected press the ENTER
button.

Selectable settings: LEV (level), DIST (Distance). (DEFAULT = Distance)

Note: Distance is measured from the face of the Laser to the top of the product, Level is
measured from the bottom of the bin to the top the product measured.

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DUST
On display it will show duST

This is when the application has dust present.

To enable or disable, use the UP or DOWN buttons. When selected press the ENTER button.
Selectable settings: ON or OFF. (DEFAULT = OFF)

A dust tube is recommended for dusty applications.

Note: Enabling Dust mode will slow down your response time

FACTORY RESET
On display it will show FAC.r

This will reset the Laser to the factory default values.

To reset press the UP or DOWN button and select YES. Press the ENTER button.

Selectable settings: YES or NO.

Now to EXIT, press the MENU button. EHIT will appear for one second on the screen and then
it will ask you YES or NO. Confirm YES or NO using the UP or DOWN buttons, and then press
ENTER

By selecting YES the instrument will first save all values changed and then exit the
programming mode back to the RUN mode. If NO is selected all changes will be disregarded

Page 10
 Performance DataSheet
Range 0.1-40m/100m (model dependent) distance and level format
Resolution 0.01m
Accuracy 0.1% of full range
Update rate 10 readings per second

DISPLAY
LOCAL LED 4 Digit 7-segment led display 0.10-40.00/100

SETUP
Local setup Manual setup using buttons and local display

TECHNICAL DATA
Power supply 90-260Vac and 24Vdc
Current consumption 200mA
Output 4-20mA NAMUR compliant
Relays 2 x relay NC/COM/NO 5A at 250vac

DIMENSIONS
Diameter 100mm (Base mounting 140mm)
Height 185mm
Flange optional 4” flange with dust tube
Material Powder coated aluminium (Stainless Steel Optional)

OPTICAL DATA
Optical aperture 55mm
Beam angle Less than 1 degree
Lens Impact resistant acrylic
Laser safety Class 1M. Do not view laser directly

ENVIRONMENT DATA
Operating temperature -20°C to +60°C
Pressure Atmospheric
Enclosure rating IP65

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Page 12
Laser Level Sensor Drawings

Terminal Connections

Display & Buttons

Dust Tube (optional)

Housing

Swivel/Aiming Bracket (optional)

Face

Contact us:
PO Box 1049 Tel No: +27 11 795 9500
Fontainebleau Fax No:+27 11 794 9057
2032 e-mail: sales@allpronix.com
South Africa www.allpronix.com
November 2015
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