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The following is a collection of tips gathered from internal service and external customer experience to help ensure optimal performance. Consider them all and use them as necessary since some may not apply to every circumstance.

• Installation is the key to performance in all cases. Improper installation or failure to follow the installation instructions accounts for the vast majority of performance problems. The echOsonix™ is designed to adapt to various situations and proper installation will improve your chances significantly.
• When mounting the unit to the mating nozzle flange, it is recommended that a plastic flange with plastic studs and nuts be used and if possible, a rubber gasket. These studs and nuts should then only be tightened enough to keep the unit in place.
• If there is no display upon wiring, check the following:
  • Is there power going to the unit?
  • Is the unit properly wired?
  • Are the wires tightly secured in the terminal block? Check by tugging on them with small pliers.
  • If running on DC, are you supplying a full 24 VDC at the unit's terminal block?
  • Have you checked the fuses?
• Remember that all distance values are measured from the sensor face down in all menus. This means that even if you are displaying in Level or Level %, the Set Points and relays are still input and displayed in Distance.
• While the echOsonix™ is known for reading level through a grating or decking, there are certain consideration that should be made.
• The unit should not physically contact the grating. Mount the unit above the deck at least 6" (300mm). Depending on the situation, this can be critical to proper performance.
• The "Blanking" distance (found in the "Setup" menu) should be extended past the distance to the grating.
• Make sure the decking is not a solid surface. If so, a sufficient size hole will have to be made.
• In most cases, the "Blanking" distance should be extended to a point just above the high level Set Point.
• This will help eliminate any false echoes found in the upper, unused portions of the installation.
• The echOsonix™ will not read level through solid surfaces such as a window. Neither can it read a solids level through a liquid level (e.g. a sludge setting basin).
• If the display is slightly erratic due to turbulence, intermittent obstructions, etc., then try adjusting the "Damping" value up until acceptable stability is achieved.
• If you have further questions or difficulty, please consult the factory or your local SOR Inc.® representative.

• Fuming acids (creates vapor problems and inconsistent measurement)
• Silica sand (can be done, but very difficult to get an echo - mounting is critical)
• Light hydrocarbons (creates vapor problems and inconsistent measurement)
• Thin nitrogen blankets (creates vapor stratification and incorrect measurement)

Operating Temperature
Transducers -40°F (-40°C) to 140°F (60°C)
Remote LCD Display +14°F (-10°C) to 140°F (60°C)
Integral LCD Display -4°F (-20°C) to 140°F (60°C)

The echOsonix™ has a normal operation range of -40°F (-40°C) to 140°F (60°C). No part of the unit should ever be used below the -40°F (-40°C) limit, this is an absolute lower limit. The maximum 140°F (60°C) can be relaxed in certain circumstances. This works best in dry heat applications like hot solids or oils. For steaming applications the upper limit can be relaxed some, but not much.

Some tips for high temperature installations:

• Use a remote mounted unit. This removes the most temperature susceptible electronics assemblies away from the heat source.
• Mount using a flange connected to the face of the transducer. This keeps the body of the transducer out of the hot process and reduces temperature transfer to the assembly.
• Mount in an area where the ambient temperature will be as low as possible. If the unit must be mounted where it will receive direct sunlight, use some type of shield to keep it in the shade.
• Consult the SOR Inc.® factory for further details and temperature limits.

Ultrasonic transmitters do not work well in pressures higher than 50psig (3 BAR) unless the application has very steady pressure. When the pressure changes in a large vessel it can create false echoes for an ultrasonic transmitter.

For the echOsonix™, it can be used in these pressures:

• Minimum -20mmHg vacuum, lower than this will not transmit sound well enough for reliable operation.
• Maximum 15psig (1 BAR) when using SOR, Inc. provided plastic flanges.
• Maximum 50psig (3 BAR) when using the 3"NPT process connection.

Standoffs

• For 15, 20 or 30 kHz units the standoff should be a minimum of 4" pipe. For 5 or 10 kHz unit the standoff should a minimum of 10" pipe.
• Units mounted in a standoff should have the end of the transducer assembly either flush with the end of the standoff or protruding out of it.
• Where this is not possible, the standoff should be cut off at a 45° angle.
• If neither of these is possible, please contact SOR Inc.® for mounting guidelines.

Stilling Wells

• Units may be mounted in a minimum 4" diameter stilling well. Lengths to 20 feet have been successfully tested.
• Stilling wells should extend to the bottom of the process vessel. Gaps between the bottom of the stilling well and the vessel bottom may create false echoes, preventing reading all the way to the bottom of the vessel.
• Stilling wells should have a minimum number of holes possible. Excessive holes may create false echoes and inconsistent readings.
• Units in stilling wells require "detuning". The most common setting change is to increase the "DS" parameter under the Gain Trim to extend beyond the range of the application. Consult the factory for specific instructions.

How Close to the Wall

• Units should be mounted so that the wall of the process vessel does not interfere with the sensing signal. To calculate the optimum distance:
• For smooth wall tanks, DISTANCE TO WALL = VESSEL HEIGHT x 0.052
• For rough wall tanks, DISTANCE TO WALL = VESSEL HEIGHT x 0.087

Questions or Comments?

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