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Commentator

Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 88

Level sensor with relay outputs

04/26/2007 3:31 AM

Dear Sir,

What kind of device can be used to give water level low & high relay out puts, when it's connected to water level sensor (4 - 20 mA)? What would be the approximate cost of it?

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Guru
Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member China - Member - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CHINA
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Good Answers: 14
#1

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

04/26/2007 4:23 AM

I sugest you do it by yourself.

take a plastic plate float on water surface and a simple on/off circuit enough.

if you need measure level high value. you can select a ut sensor. it somewhat expensive.

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Power-User
Peru - Member - New Member Engineering Fields - Biomedical Engineering - New Member Popular Science - Genetics - New Member Fans of Old Computers - Commodore 64 - New Member

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#2

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

04/27/2007 2:24 AM

it uses a

Field Adjustable Set Point - high resolution/high accuracy field adjustment mechanism, Adjustable set points from 0.1" H2O to 30 psi, Gold inlay contacts, Variety of options for ports and mounting, Small size and lightweight, PCB Terminals Available

http://www.designflexswitches.com/designflex_psf102.htm

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Commentator
Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member Greece - Member - New Member

Join Date: Jan 2007
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#3

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

04/27/2007 2:50 AM

With a cost of 20 Euro you can buy a level sensor circuit that has three electrodes which give the level of the water and an out put that can powers even a 220 V power relay

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athmio
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Power-User

Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Detroit Downriver
Posts: 119
#4

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

04/27/2007 8:00 AM

If I understand what you are asking, you want to interface a relay, perhaps for the purpose of alarm signaling, to the 4 to 20 mA output of an existing level transmitter. That is going to require more than just a simple relay. Relays are boolean devices. You need to recognize the mA signal and actuate a circuit at a specific output. Sometimes this function in included in the level transmitter. Sometimes it is a function of the DCS, or panel indicator. If you can't find the functionality in the manual for the field devices, you need to consult your vendor. He'll hook you up.

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Active Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17
#5

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

04/27/2007 10:19 AM

If I understand your situation, you already have a level transmitter that puts out a 4-20ma signal for remote indication. What you want is called a limit alarm. It can be as simple as a large relay looking device that plugs into an 8 or 11 pin socket, to an 1/8 DIN panel meter with two output relays. The small relay type device has two pots that are accessed through a hole in the case. I have not used one of these in a while. Wilkerson, Action, and several others used to offer these ~$200. Most of the panel meters with limit alarm option are microprocessor based and you set the points you want the relays to trigger and the histerysis through parameters in a menu. All the people who do temp and process controllers should have an offering, ~$200-$400 the Red Lion PAXP might work. Another option would be one of the new pico PLC/relay replacers. Some of these are less than $200, have one or more inputs that can be set for 0-10 analog. You can configure a program through a device mounted keypad and don't have to use software. In this option, I would recommend using a 250 ohm burden resistor across the input to change your 4-20 into a 1-5 volt signal. If you prefer to use the PC, software will run you another $100-$150. Allen Bradley or Klockner Moeller

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Associate

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Posts: 50
#6

Re: Level sensor with relay outputs

05/02/2007 7:23 AM

It is really very simple.

Just connect the output of your 4/20 ma output device to inverting & non-inverting op-amp connected as comparators.

You can also look up the GE SCR manual to connect transistors to act as comparators with built in hysteresis to prevent relay chattering.

Cost would be actually be negligible. A few dollars at the most.

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