Radar Level Transmitter- A Complete Guide

Instruthinkis always on the top in the industry of radar-level transmitters. We provide radar level transmitter which is of high quality and delivers high performance. Most industries are using Instruthinkradar level transmitters to receive accurate results. Instruthinkis famous for providing premium quality products such as radar level transmitters across the globe.

Below frequent ask questions, you can find the answers about the radar level transmitter

Q1 – What is a Radar Level Transmitter?

The radar level transmitter is also called a guided wave radar level transmitter. It depends on the measurement of the level, which follows the principle of the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR).

The radar level transmitter uses the probe for receiving guidance from the electromagnetic waves. It keeps traveling from the radar level transmitter to the medium for measuring. Using the

methodology of TDR for the measurement, the electromagnetic waves of low-energy keep transmitting with the probe that is traversing in the process.  You can calculate the level of the fluid by the consideration of the time difference between the sending and receiving of the pulses.

The radar level transmitter measures those readings that don’t depend on the chemical and physical properties of the processing medium.

Q2 – What are the types of Radar Level Transmitters?

• Guided wave radar level transmitter:  The primary purpose of a guided wave radar level transmitter is to continuously provide the measurement with the signal output within the range of 4 mA- 20 mA. There are three probes available for the configuration, approximately 3 meters for the rod and 5.5 for designing the cable. The contact with the level of the liquid sensor is suitable for water, waste, oil, and low corrosive applications.
• 26 non-contact radar level transmitters: This instrument is for measuring the level up to 70 meters. The 26non-contact radar level transmitter helps handle the complex situations where there are reactors or solid-state grains in silos
• Coaxial guided wave radar level transmitter: The purpose of the coaxial guided wave radar level transmitter helps manage the liquids with the low level of dielectric constant or with the fluctuations on the surface.
• High-frequency non-contact radar level transmitter: The high-frequency non-contact radar level transmitter is beneficial for applicable solids, measuring normal temperature and pressure.
• Non-contact PTFE radar level transmitter: The non-contact PTFE radar level transmitter suits the temperature, is resistant to pressure, and managing lightly corrosive liquids.
• High-temperature non-contact radar level transmitter: High-temperature non-contact radar level transmitters measure the level continuously of the liquids, slurries, and granular materials.
• Universal joint flange non-contact radar level transmitter: The aim of the universal joint flange non-contact radar level transmitter is mainly to measure the weak kind of corrosive liquids, fluids, and slurries.
• High temperature and pressure guided wave radar level transmitter: The purpose of high temperature and pressure guided wave radar level transmitter is to measure the liquids in the sealed tanks and under high pressure, particularly in the environments where the temperature is high.

Q3 – What are the primary differences between the Radar level transmitter and ultrasonic level transmitter?

Following are the main differences between the radar level transmitter and ultrasonic level transmitter:

• Conditions of the environment: mount the ultrasonic level transmitter where the environment is predictable. Because humidity, climatic conditions, and different parameters can pollute and affect the accuracy rate of the reflecting signals.
• Limits of the pressure: the ultrasonic transmitter performs well on the temperature above 80 degrees Celsius. The changes in the temperature or fluctuations lead to incorrect readings. Whereas the working temperature of the radar level transmitter is up to 315 degrees Celsius.
• Accuracy in both instruments: there is no effect on radar level transmitter with the changes in the viscosity, acidity, and density. Therefore, the rate of accuracy in radar level transmitters is higher than in the ultrasonic level transmitter. For measuring the level in the storage tanks, the recommendation is of radar level transmitter
• Performance: the performance of the ultrasonic level transmitter depends on the strength of the reflecting sound wave. However, the performance of the radar level transmitter is good enough, independent of any condition.
• Applications: the ultrasonic transmitters are the perfect choice for measuring the liquids and solids as well. They help measure and detect the profiles of objects. The industry of car washing uses ultrasonic sensors to increase efficiency and bring improvement in the processes. The common applications of radar level transmitters are minerals, mining, oil, gas, paper, pulp, and pharmaceutical industries.

Q4 – What are the industrial applications of Radar Level Transmitters?  

The accuracy rate of radar level transmitter is high that’s why radar level transmitter is suitable for the serious engineering surroundings. Below are the industrial applications of the radar level transmitter:

• In the mining industry: the radar level transmitter helps check the depth and length of the mines. Even you can examine the surface’s level of the ore. Radar level transmitter is helpful due to the continuity in the frequency.
• Engineering of the boiler: boilers are dangerous and challenging to measure the liquid level in them. In these cases, radar level transmitter has probes that have immunity for handling the high temperatures. The radar level transmitter is useful in the technologies related to the boilers to indicate the fuel or fluid level.

• Aeronautics industry: the contact kind of indicators help test the fuel level in the automobile industries. In aeronautics, the radar level transmitter manages the complex system of storing the fuel.

• Paper and pulp industry: The radar level transmitter assists in measuring the level of slurry and water in the industry of paper and pulp. The chemical surroundings take help from the guiding probes.

• The technology of bore digging: In the process of bore digging, the exposure of the devices is to the mud, slurry, and gases under the surface. The radar level transmitter keeps checking the monitoring the level of the digging surfaces.

Q5 – How to set up the radar level transmitter?

Before going ahead towards the principle of radar level transmitter, it is essential to study the setup of the radar level transmitter. Below is the discussion regarding the parts and assembling of the radar level transmitter. It is very easy to know about the radar level transmitter. Following are the main components of the radar level transmitter

1. It is very easy to know about the radar level transmitter. Following are the main components of the radar level transmitter

• Solid-state oscillator: the solid-state oscillator works as the transmission of electromagnetic signals. It sends the electromagnetic waves in the direction of the fluid’s surface to measure the depth or level of the fluid without being in contact physically.
• A radar antenna: The working of a radar antenna is similar to the transducer that is the empty-space existing in the container of the fluid and source of electromagnetic signals, or receiver. The antenna’s primary purpose is to receive the signals of the process and proceed them towards the receiver.
• System for receiving and processing the signals: The receiver is a microprocessor that converts receiving signals into reading. The processor of the signal converts the data into the readings in digital form. With these essential components of radar level transmitter, the setup wizard is also available in advanced systems. It works as an interface for the software to transmit the operations. You can make the operations work remotely.

Q6 – What is the working principle of radar level transmitters?

The working principle of radar level transmitters is the functionality of the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). You can also call it the Time of Flight (TOF) measuring principle of radar. However, below is the description in steps regarding the working principle of radar level transmitter:

• Since the radar level transmitter is the level sensor itself. The sensor sends the electromagnetic waves. The installation of the solid-state oscillator in a radar-level transmitter moves electromagnetic waves to the surface of the fluid. The distance measurement is done by considering the oscillator as the point of reference and the surface of the fluid as the destination point.
• After hitting the electromagnetic waves on the surface of the fluid, the surface reflects the pulse signals itself towards the radar antenna. The purpose of the antenna is the transmission of the signals towards the receiver. The collection of the signal is at the receiver and return of the reflection of the pulse. Through this procedure, you can calculate the time of reflection.
• The level of calculating the time is by the performance of the signal processor. When the signal processor starts translating the reflection time into the traveling distance, consider it as the depth of the fluid according to the Time Domain Reflectometry. Some factors like the Dielectric Constant (DC)of the fluid affect the efficiency of the radar level transmitter. Such as solid reflections from high DC pulsates, whereas the fluids of low DC absorb most of the signals.

Q7 – What are the features of radar level transmitters?

• The size of the antenna is small, and the process of installation is easy. Even no contact with the radar and no pollution.
• There is almost no corrosion in the radar level transmitter. There is no effect of water vapor from the atmosphere, changes in the pressure and temperature in radar level transmitter
• The dusty environment affects the working of radar level transmitters.
• The inclination of the reflection of a solid surface is better when the wavelength is short
• The smaller measuring range of radar level transmitter helps in delivering accurate results
• The best choice of radar level transmitters is high frequency, solid measurement, and low level of dielectric constant.
• The small beam angle and the concentration of the energy improves the capability of the echo and prevents interference.

• The configuration is simple with the help of a push-button or Gateway software.
• Low dielectric mode helps in measuring the non-conductive liquids.
• The smart sensor technology helps keep the beam narrow

Q8 – What are the specifications of a radar-level transmitter?

Supply of power	115V AC/60 Hz, 230V AC/50 Hz, 12V-30V DC, or using two-wire loops for the power
Output	4/20mA or 20/4 mA, 6.1-microampere resolution 75 ohms, isolation on the AC supply
Fuse	0.125 A/250V type 2AG
Enclosure	Standard is Aluminium, and stainless steel is optional
Temperature	· -40 Fahrenheit to 140 Fahrenheit (electronics section) · -40 Fahrenheit to 250 Fahrenheit (antenna of Teflon) ·  -40 Fahrenheit to 350 Fahrenheit (antenna of Teflon and de-coupler of Teflon)
Operational range	17 feet to 240 feet (depending on the model)
The accuracy rate of radar level transmitter	0.25% depending on the maximum range of the target present in the air
Frequency	6.3 Hz (other frequencies are also available on the request)
Power of radar level transmitter	The average power is 50uW
Lost holding time for an echo	30 seconds/ output 22 mA

Q9 – What are the advantages and disadvantages of radar level transmitters?

Advantages:

• The radar level transmitter offers highly accurate and reliable findings in the storage tanks and processing vessels.
• There is no effect on radar level transmitter by the vapors and including other physical properties of the fluid under the measurement of the level (excluding dielectric constant of the liquid).
• There is no effect on the accurate rate of radar level transmitter by the changes in the density, conductivity, and dielectric constant of radar level transmitter or movement of the air.

Disadvantages:

• The main disadvantage of radar level transmitters is that the cost of radar level transmitters is high.
• The radar level transmitter can’t detect the level between the interfaces
• There are many restrictions in the pressure ratings of radar level transmitter
• In a pulse radar level transmitter, you can face problems in receiving accurate results if the measuring fluid is near the antenna. Since the time calculating by the signals between the sensor and processing material is very fast, that is not suitable for determining the level
• The performance of the radar level transmitter is good where there is a slight layer of dust and dirt only. Sometimes, the layer of dust becomes the hurdle in the detection of the level of the fluid.

Q10 – How is the accuracy in radar level transmitter?

The requirement of selecting the radar level transmitter is to receive the desired resolution accuracy of the range (bandwidth) and frequency. The achieving desirable accuracy of radar level transmitters is highly dependent on the type of application, designing of antenna, processing of echo, signal to noise ratio, and interference. You can receive high accuracy in radar level transmitters by looking at the phase in the wave existing in the envelope curve. The length of the envelope curve is dependent on the bandwidth of the radar level transmitter. The wider bandwidth means a shorter envelope curve that improves range resolution. It is applicable in slow-moving storage tanks. The higher frequency is leading towards, the steeper the envelope curve. The envelope curve of high-frequency radar with short duration pulses are suitable for high accuracy results and economical radar level transmitter for storing vessel applications. The envelope curve has to be steeper for better accuracy as sometimes high frequency highly affects some of the applications.

Q11 – What are the types of antennas in radar level transmitters?

The most important factor of the antenna is directivity. Directivity is the antenna’s capability to direct the microwave energy radiating towards the measuring liquid or solid at the maximum level. In industrial processes, there are two types of antennas which are dielectric rod antenna and horn antenna. The connection of these antennas is through the tail of the radar level transmitter to focus the direction of microwave energy towards the measuring level and capturing energy from returning the echoes.

• Dielectric rod antenna: Dielectric rod antenna is made of polypropylene (PP) or Teflon (PTFE) and is suitable for vessels as small as 40 mm. The traveling of the microwaves is from the rod to the tapering section. There is an impact on the efficiency of dielectric rod antenna if the coating of rod antenna is in the viscous and conductive products. These rod antennas are suitable for slurries and liquids

• Horn antenna: The metallic horn antenna is also known as a cone antenna suitable for processing the level applications. The horn is robust mechanically without receiving any impact from the condensation at the low radar frequencies. The primary purpose of the horn antenna is to transmit microwaves from the module towards the high-frequency cable for coupling with the waveguide. The direction of the metal waveguide is in the direction of low dielectric material (PTFE) to the pointing cone and horn of the antenna. The emission of the microwaves from the pointing cone is controllable and focuses on the target of the metal horn. After reflecting from the metal surface, the process of collecting returning echoes is in the horn antenna.

Q13 – What is the calibration procedure of radar level transmitters?

 

• Setting up the radar level transmitter, HART communicator, power supply, and multimeter.
• Inspect the configuration of the value of the lower range (0% level that is 4 mA) and the value of the higher range (100% level, 20 mA). Must check that data as input is according to the datasheet.
• Filling the chamber of radar level transmitter with the water to 0% level and reading for the level of radar level transmitter for measurement in LCD or HART communicator. The setting of this condition is 0% level by the HART communicator.
• Multimeter helps in reading the mA output of the radar level transmitter. You can make adjustments according to the requirements through the HART communicator, so receiving the output of the radar level transmitter is 4mA.
• Now, repetition of the same process with 100% level and output of the radar level transmitter on the multimeter is 20 mA.
• The tools you need to calibrate the radar level transmitter are a 24V DC power supply, digital multimeter, connection with the water supply, HART communicator, set of a screwdriver, and set of wrenches.

Q14 – How does the dielectric constant (DC) affect the measurement in radar level transmitters?

The emission of electromagnetic energy is mainly from the radar level transmitter. Mostly the emission of electromagnetic energy is from the radar level transmitter. When the signals emitting the point where is some change in DC, especially on the surface of the media, and some signals reflect toward the radar level transmitter. The reflection of some signals is back to the radar level transmitter. This reflection is direct with the dielectric constant of the medium. There is a rule of thumb states that the value of the dielectric constant is indirectly related to the reflection of the percentage of energy. The medium with the higher dielectric constant helps in providing stronger returning signals and measuring quickly.

 

Q15 – What is the importance of beam angle and frequency in radar level transmitters?

An antenna is useful for directing the beam angle in the particular position of the material to receive accurate measurement from the readings. The narrow beam angle permits the focus on the specific point of the material and checks the hurdles in the tank or vessels. The wider beam angles are more suitable for higher levels of dust or steam.

The higher frequency keeps moving at fast intervals and permits a narrow beam angle. The working of radar level transmitters is at different ranges of frequencies and depends on the applications. For the selection of radar level transmitter, must go through the technical specifications available on the datasheet of the application.

Q16 – Who are the manufacturers of the radar-level transmitter?

 

There are many leading countries like UK, UK, India, Japan, and others manufacturing and supplying radar level transmitters.  In UK, Instruthinkis a professional manufacturer of radar level transmitters. The radar level transmitter of Instruthinkis appliable for applications with high temperatures and changes in pressure and inert gases. Industries use Instruthinkradar level transmitters for a wider range.

Final thoughts:

 

Instruthinkhas become a reputable manufacturer specializing in radar-level transmitters and different varieties of instruments. We are mostly supplying guided wave radar level transmitters around the world. The industries are using Instruthinkradar level transmitters for accurate results from their applications. Contact Instruthinkwithout any delay on this number 8651786989565 or mail us at sales@instruthink.com.