Sensor Overview

Wireless Ultrasonic Ranging Sensors send out a high-frequency sound pulse and then time how long it takes for the echo of the sound to reflect. The Ultrasonic Sensor uses the speed of sound and the time difference between sending and receiving the sound pulse to determine the distance to an object.
Ultrasonic Sensors are impervious to target surface, color, and feature autocalibration algorithms that allow them to adapt to variable environmental conditions and compensate for temperature and humidity effects.

How to install Ultrasonic Sensor

Installation Steps

Note: If this is your first time setting up your ParamaIoT system, you must first set up your ParamaIoT account and connect your ParamaIoT or Ethernet Gateway to the ParamIoT Platform before registering your sensor. See this article for steps outlining how to get started: Creating a ParamaIoT account.

Step 1.
We recommend reading the article Ultrasonic Sensor Installation Considerations before beginning your installation.
Step 2.
Remove the sensor from the package. If installing an industrial sensor, attach the antenna.
Step 3.
Register the sensor in ParamaIoT. Do not install the batteries until told to do so in ParamaIoT.
Walk-through guide
How-to video

Step 4.
Determine the sensor’s installation location. We recommend placing the sensor in the location and making sure it reports to the gateway before final installation. See this article if you use a Button Press Sensor to perform a site survey to determine sensor installation location.

WARNING: Tanks with liquid must be vented. Otherwise, condensation will accumulate on the lens and render readings inaccurate.

Step 5. (Industrial Ultrasonic Sensor with lead)
After verifying the sensor is communicating with the gateway, determine horn placement, ensuring the horn is as far away from the surface being measured as possible. Drill a 1.73" (44mm) hole in the top of the tank you will monitor.

Insert horn, and secure in place. If needed, seal the hole in a manner of your choosing.

Secure the lead cable to the surface in a method best suited for your application.

Attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.

Step 5. (Industrial Ultrasonic Sensor without lead)
After verifying the sensor is communicating with the gateway, drill a 1.73” (44mm) hole in the top of the tank you will monitor as far away from the surface being measured as possible. Insert the sensor cone into the hole and attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.

Step 5. (Enterprise AA Ultrasonic Sensor)
After verifying the sensor is communicating with the gateway, mount the leaded end of the sensor to the tank you will monitor using the provided screws or double-sided tape. Ensure the lead end is as far away from the surface being measured as possible.

Attach the sensor housing using the provided screws or double-sided tape.

Recommendations

Install the horn as far away from the surface being measured as possible (a liquid that splashes or condenses into the sensor’s horn will cause errors or inaccurate readings.
Inspect the sensor horn for liquid or material and clear it out to avoid errors or inaccurate readings.
Ensure the liquid has a stable surface when the readings occur; otherwise, readings will not be accurate, and errors will occur. We recommend filling liquid tanks from the bottom to avoid waves that might affect the readings.
Remove obstructions that will affect the ultrasonic pulse beam on the sides of the container or those introduced while the sensor takes a measurement.

Maximum/minimum distance

The Ultrasonic sensor has a maximum and minimum distance. You will observe a “Range Error” if the surface being measured is too far, too close, or there is some other sort of obstruction of the pulse or unstable surface detected.

Industrial Ultrasonic Sensor range

Minimum Measurement Distance: 20 cm (~3.9 in)

Maximum Measurement Distance: 750 cm (~157 in)

Sensor resolution: 1 cm (~0.39 in)

AA Enterprise Ultrasonic Sensor range

Minimum Measurement Distance: 10 cm (~7.8 in)

Maximum Measurement Distance: 400 cm (~295 in)

Sensor resolution: 1 cm (0.39 in)

Unstable reading

You will see a reading indicating “Reading Unstable” if the pulse is not reliably returned to the sensor horn. It’s generally caused by a disturbed surface (like water in a tank filled from the top). The ultrasonic beam is less reliable when measuring the distance to unstable surfaces.

Calibration

The sensor will be delivered calibrated and will provide accurate readings. You may want to apply a different calibration to the sensor using the Calibrate tab in iMonnit. However, when testing the sensor, be sure to apply the default calibration.

Testing the sensor

To test the sensor:

Set a more frequent (10 minutes or so) Heartbeat.
Reset the sensor to the default calibration (Default tab in the Calibrate tab in iMonnit; ensure the sensor checks in and accepts the default calibration).
Inspect and clear the horn of any debris or liquid inside the horn.
Place the sensor horn 90 centimeters (~3 ft) directly perpendicular to a flat stationary surface.
Observe the sensor report data over the next several Heartbeats. You should expect to see consistent readings within the resolution presented in iMonnit. Clear the path and remove obstructions to the beam if you see errors. If errors or erratic readings persist, please contact support@monnit.com.

How to install - Ultrasonic Sensor