A New Radar Level Sensor for Water-supply and Sewage Systems

The VEGAPULS WL S 61 radar sensor from Vega is ideal for all simple applications in the water-supply and sewage sectors. Featuring a wide range of mounting options, it is an especially cost-effective radar solution, because it can be readily integrated into existing infrastructures.

Just as with the VEGAPULS WL 61, which has been available for several years with a large installed base, the new VEGAPULS WL S 61 offers a design optimised for use in the water-supply and sewage sectors. Radar technology offers numerous advantages compared with ultrasonic sensors, which used to be standard in this sector; radar is independent of weather influences, strong sun, wind, fog or rain. In addition, no compensation is needed for variations in the signal transmission time due to air temperature fluctuations. With an accuracy of +/- 5 mm, the VEGAPULS WL S 61 covers a wide range of applications.

This sensor is particularly suitable for level and flow measurement in water treatment plants. Its excellent focusing enables its use in pumping stations and rainwater overflow basins, for flow measurement in open channels, and for level monitoring.

The sensor's robust housing is wear and maintenance-free, and its high degree of protection,
IP 68 (2 bar), also makes it suitable for applications where the sensor may be temporarily submerged. The unit complies with the latest LPR standard (Level Probing Radar), and is approved for open-air use without restrictions or special attachments.

In its development of this new sensor for simple measurement tasks, VEGA drew on its many years of experience. Today, almost 40,000 VEGAPULS WL 61 sensors are being successfully used worldwide in the water-supply sector.

An entirely new feature is Bluetooth wireless operation from a smartphone or tablet (and/or a PC with PACTware) when combined with a Bluetooth USB adapter; this makes commissioning and diagnosis even simpler. Corresponding display and signal processing units enable the display of measurements and provide the relay outputs needed, for example, to control a pump.