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 »