Archive for category Ultrasonic
The 15-30-15 Rule in Ultrasonic Level Measurements
Posted by danstips in Level, Level Technology, Siemens, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic on March 25, 2016
Written by: Dan Weise
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a dozen times when talking with a Siemens support guy while evaluating a problematic ultrasonic level measurement application,
“What’s the echo confidence and strength?” “What’s the noise measurement?”
Those are numbers that quantify the echo quality: the floor values for echo confidence and strength and the ceiling value for the noise. I’d look up the value and the guy on the phone would tell me whether the number was good, bad or so-so. Finally, someone wrote down what those values should be, and they’re worth filing for future reference.
Viewing data logs in Excel format (Siemens LUT 400 Ultrasonic Level Controller)
Posted by danstips in Flow, Level, Level Technology, Level Transmitters, Open Channel Flow, Siemens, Ultrasonic, Ultrasonic Flowmeters on December 21, 2015
Written by: Dan Weise
Siemens’ LUT 400 saves data values and alarm events in text-formatted log files. This note covers how to get the files out of the LUT400 to view them in spreadsheet format using Siemens Log Importer macro for Excel.
The text files are extracted from the LUT400 over a USB cable (mini B type connector). When the USB cable is connected to your PC, the LUT400 appears as a removable drive (circled in red, below)
Why won’t Pactware work with the Siemens LUT 400?
Posted by danstips in Configuration, Flow, Flowmeters, Level, Level Technology, Siemens, Software, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic, Ultrasonic Flowmeters, Wireless, WirelessHART on October 22, 2015
Written by: Dan Weise
I’ve used Pactware for a couple years now, so I was surprised when I couldn’t get the Siemens LUT400 to work with the software. The LUT400 ultrasonic level and flow controller comes with a DTM file that I installed before opening the Pactware software.
The DTM file can be downloaded from this link: http://tinyurl.com/cqk2cky
Once it had been installed, I opened Pactware and updated the device catalog, as seen in the picture below:
But when I attempted to establish a HART connection to the LUT400, I got an error message:
Understanding Level Readings & the Truth about Level Measurement Instruments
Posted by danstips in Air Bubbler, Honeywell, Level, Level Technology, Measurement, Radar, Siemens, Ultrasonic, WIKA on September 30, 2015
In order to understand level readings, you must first comprehend how the instrument works. Three of the most common level-measuring techniques involve using a displacer, float, or differential pressure instrument.
Here’s the catch.
While each of these instruments can be used to report a level reading, none of them actually measure level.
I know what you’re thinking…
If none of these instruments measure level, how do we end up with a level reading? Read the rest of this entry »
Does ultrasonic level measurement work with a standpipe?
Posted by mikedelacluyse135 in Echomax transducers, Installation, Level, Level Technology, Measurement, Siemens, Ultrasonic on April 29, 2014
The easy answer: Yes.
But in a recent webinar on choosing the best level technology for your application, the more specific answer is this: Yes, AS LONG AS you pay attention to the unit specs and a pretty simple rule of thumb.
How to keep condensation from affecting Siemens ultrasonic level sensors
Posted by mikedelacluyse135 in Echomax transducers, Level, Level Technology, Measurement, Siemens, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic, Uncategorized on March 25, 2014
Recently, a customer noticed that the Siemens ultrasonic level measurement system he had installed in a storage bin showed a signficant amount of moisture buildup. At extreme temperature changes (like we’ve seen a lot latele here in the Midwest), there’d be moisture buildup on the Echomax ultrasonic transducer, sometimes so severely, they’d have problems from signal loss.
How could they fix it? One quick trip to the local big-box or auto supply store provided a Siemens-supported solution.
LUT400 universal 4-20mA analog output gets rid of the ground loop
Posted by danweise in 4-20mA, HART, Installation, Level, Level Transmitters, Ultrasonic on August 16, 2013
The Problem
Before I talk about the value of a universal 4-20mA analog output on a level controller, let me explain why anyone would care. It’s all about ground loops.
Since the early days of electronic instrumentation, way back when, even before cell phones or PCs, instrument people struggled with ground loops that create an offset error, drive the signal off scale, or burn up an analog circuit.
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Ultrasonic category.
