Description: Radar is a non-contact water level sensor that works by transmitting electromagnetic energy which is reflected by objects with high dialectic properties (such as water). Distance of measurement is calculated automatically by the radar through the measurement of the time of flight divided by the speed of light, known as the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR). Radars can operate on various frequencies from 1 GHz to 30 GHz. The higher the frequency the more accurate and costlier the device. Radars can measure to 35 meters, (almost three times the range of the ultrasonic sensor) and has accuracy around 0.03% full scale, compared to 0.25% of the target distance found with ultrasonic sensors. The water level radar is a non- contact solution, and must be mounted over the water. This can be accomplished either by a bridge mount or a bank system. Similar to the ultrasonic sensor, typical applications include small streams and canals.
Costs USD Lower: $2,500
Costs USD Upper: $4,000
Accessories: staff gauge
Advantages: Radars are ideal for use in moist vaporous and dusty environments as well as in applications with temperature variations. The advantages of using radar is the non-contact nature of measurement, the 35m range from the sensor to the target, and the resolution of the measurement.
Disadvantages: Drawbacks are the high cost of the sensor and requirement of the sensor to be directly over the water surface.
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