TOPIC : LEVEL SENSOR

GROUP MEMBERS:
RAFEH TARIQ [19PWCHE1419]
ABDULLAH ABBASI [19PWCHE1420]
MOHAMMAD SAJID [19PWCHE1439]
ZEBYAN AZEEM [19PWCHE1456]
 TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 INTRODUCTON
 CLASSIFICATION OF LEVEL SENSOR
 TYPES OF LEVEL SENSOR
 COMPARISON TABLE
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
 INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION :
Level sensors are components used in fluid control systems
to determine the level of a tank or container.

USES:
They are commonly used in various industries such as;
• Manufacturing industry
• Oil and gas
• Wastewater treatment

MAIN GOAL OF LEVEL SENSOR:

The main goal of level sensor is to provide accurate and
reliable measurements that can be used for process control
and monitoring.
 CLASSIFICATION:
It can be classified on the basis of measuring mode and
indication of level.

 POINT  CONTINUOUSLEVEL
LEVEL
MEASUREMENT MEASUREMENT
SENSOR SENSOR
 TYPES OF LEVEL SENSORS:
1. POINT LEVEL MEASUREMENT SENSOR:
It indicates that product is present at certain point in the
medium. Following are some point level measurement
sensors:
▪ Optical level sensor
▪ Capacitance level sensor
▪ Float Switch level sensor
▪ Tuning fork sensor

2. CONTINUOUS LEVEL MEASUREMENT SENSOR:

It indicates the continuous (Variable) reading of the product
in medium. Following are some continuous level sensors:
▪ Ultrasonic level sensor
▪ Radar level sensor
 POINT LEVEL SENSORS:
 OPTICAL LEVEL SENSOR:
• Optical level sensors work by emitting a beam of light
and detecting whether it is reflected back or not.
• Sensor has a light source, usually an LED and a
photoelectric detector.
• If cone is above the liquid, light will be reflected back to
the detector.
• If cone is submerged in liquid, the light will be reflected
into liquid and will not reach the detector.
• The absence of light will trigger a control relay contact
for alarm or control.
 Figure 01: optical level sensor

https://automationforum.co/what-is-an-optical-
level- sensor-and-how-does-it-work/
• CAPACITANCE LEVEL SENSOR:

o Capacitive level instruments measure electrical

capacitance of a conductive rod inserted vertically
into a process vessel.
o As process level increases, capacitance increases
between the rod and the vessel walls, causing the
instrument to output a greater signal.
o Converter can be used to convert the signals into
level reading or by using level controlling software
graph shows the level in the tank. Low and high
level command also given through software for
alarming purpose.
Fig 02: capacitive level sensor Fig 03: level control software

https://control.com/textbook/continuous-level-
measurement/capacitive/
• FLOAT SWITCH:

o Float switches open and close circuits or dry contacts

as the water level falls and rises.
o The normal float switch will normally be in the closed
position, meaning that the circuit isn’t complete and no
electricity will pass through the wires.
o Once the water level has dropped below a certain point,
the circuit will complete itself and then send electricity
through a whole circuit to trigger alarms.
 Fig 04: float switch

https://blog.universaltowerparts.com/tag/float-switch-working-
principle/
• TUNING FORK SENSOR:

o Working principle of Tuning fork type level switch is

based on the changes of vibration frequency of
the tuning fork when it comes into contact with a
liquid.
o When the fork comes into the contact with material
the vibration of fork get weakened/dampened and
results in frequency change which triggers the switch.
 Fig 06: tuning fork

https://theinstrumentguru.com/working-principle-of-
tuning-fork-type-level-switch/
• CONTINUOUS LEVEL
MEASUREMENT SENSOR:
1. ULTRASONIC LEVEL SENSOR:
o When ultrasonic pulse signal is targeted towards an object, it
is reflected by the object and echo returns to the sender. The
time travelled by the ultrasonic pulse is calculated, and the
distance of the object is found.
o Travel time of the ultrasonic pulse from sensor to target and
back is calculated.
o Level “C” can be found by multiplying half of this time with
the speed of sound in air.

Level = Speed of sound in air x

 Fig 07 : Ultrasonic level sensor

https://www.polytechnichub.com/working-principle-ultrasonic-
level-detector/
• RADAR LEVEL SENSOR:

o Radar Level Transmitters operate on the Time-of-

Flight principle. The microprocessor-controlled
electronics transmit an electromagnetic pulse down
to the fluid surface.
o The media reflects the signal and the time of flight is
measured and converted into an output signal, which
can then be sent to a display, PLC or other
controller.
 Fig 08 : Radar level sensor

https://www.babbittinternational.com/radar-level-
transmitters.html
 COMPARISON TABLE:
Level Size Effect Detection Invasion Cost
sensor
type
Optical Small Sunlight Almost all No Low

Capacitance Small Humidity, Certain Yes Low

Temperatur
e
Float switch Depend Viscosity Certain Yes Low

Tuning fork Depend Viscosity All Yes Low

Ultrasonic Small Air All No High

Temperatur
e
Radar Mediu No All No High
m
 CONCLUSION:

Some level sensor applications can

overlap and when deciding on a sensor it
is important to identify the product that
you are sensing and the type of feedback
that your application requires.
REFERENCES:
1. https://realpars.com/level-sensor/
2. https://automationforum.co/what-is-an-optical- level- sensor-
and-how-does-it-work/
3. https://control.com/textbook/continuous-level-
measurement/capacitive/
4. https://blog.universaltowerparts.com/tag/float-switch-
working-principle/
5. https://theinstrumentguru.com/working-principle-of-tuning-
fork-type-level-switch/
6. https://www.polytechnichub.com/working-principle-
ultrasonic-level-detector/
7. https://www.babbittinternational.com/radar-level-
transmitters.html
8. https://www.fluidswitch.com/2015/10/16/how-do-optical-
level-sensors-work/