Radar Level Transmitter vs Ultrasonic Level Transmitter: Which is the Best Option for

You?

Smart instruments can address some of the major challenges faced by process facilities. A radar level transmitter and an ultrasonic level transmitter are both the same type of equipment used for level measurement, but they have some differences. It’s way more interesting than you think picking the right radar or temperature gauge manufacturers in the UAE can be. The difference between nailing your production targets and, well, a whole lot of headaches is that accuracy, reliability and ease of use are just some of the things you have to consider.

Kevetits is the backbone of countless industries, from manufacturing to oil and gas, making our radar level transmitter suppliers in Dubai sure everything runs smoothly. Kevit is a level gauge and level transmitter supplier in Dubai that needs no introduction. In the industrial world we are known for our high-quality, high-performance and, yes, often affordable equipment.

Radar level transmitter vs ultrasonic level transmitter

Today we will show you some of the main differences between a radar level transmitter and an ultrasonic level transmitter.

Working

To measure the level of the working principle of radar level transmitters is that they use rada waves or electromagnetic waves. These waves hit the target material, like liquid or solid, which means these waves hit the surface of the material or liquid whose level is being measured, and the distance is calculated from their reflections. In ultrasonic level transmitters, ultrasonic waves are used to measure the level. In ultrasonic level transmitters, sound waves collide with the target material, and from their echoes, the distance or level is calculated.

Effectiveness

Radar waves are electromagnetic in nature; therefore, they can also penetrate through the surface of the material, so accurate measurement is possible. It is also suitable for use in dust, vapours and temperature variations. Ultrasonic sound waves require clean air to reach the surface; if the substance contains dust or vapour, interference may occur, which may affect measurement accuracy.

Applications

Next are applications; you can find many radar-level transmitter suppliers in Dubai supplying radars which are ideal for various industries, such as oil and gas, chemical, water treatment and process industries. While usually ultrasonic level transmitters are used in water treatment plants and chemical storage tanks. Chemical storage is the cost of tanks and small-sized vessels.

Pricing

Radar level transmitters usually cost a little more than ultrasonic level transmitters. The range of operation radar level transmitters are also useful in long range applications; its range is usually

100 meters or more so it can be used in places such as large containers, tanks and silos. The range of ultrasonic level transmitters is less; its range is usually up to 30 meters therefore it is more suitable for small to medium-sized tanks and containers.

Density & Temperature Effect

Next is the effect of density and temperature. Radar waves are electromagnetic in nature, so the density and temperature of the substance have little effect on waves, so radar level transmitters can also be used for high-temperature and high-density substances, while in ultrasonic transmitters, the density and temperature of the material have a greater effect on the waves.

Therefore, ultrasonic level transmitters are less used in the level measurement of high-temperature and high-density substances.

Installation

Installation and maintenance of a radar level transmitter can be a bit complicated, especially in large containers and in tall vessels. Ultrasonic level transmitters are relatively easy to install and maintain; their setup is simple and requires less technical expertise.

Sensitivity

The radar level transmitter works by using high-frequency radar waves, by which it has high sensitivity. They can also accurately detect small level changes, while the sensitivity of the ultrasonic level transmitter is lower in comparison. They are comparatively less accurate at detecting the small level changes.

What is the major difference between radar level and ultrasonic level?

Radar level transmitters use electromagnetic waves, while the ultrasonic level transmitter uses ultrasonic waves. The next question is which of the two level transmitters can work for a longer range? Its answer will be a radar-level transmitter that can operate over a longer range because electromagnetic waves have less interference. A radar level transmitter is generally more accurate because there is less distortion in the electromagnetic waves. The difference between radar and ultrasonic in power consumption is that ultrasonic generally consumes less power, while the radar-level transmitter consumes a little more power.

Transmitters Consume Less Power

The next question is in which type of containers radar and ultrasonic level transmitters can be used. Its simple answer is the radar level transmitter can operate in liquid, powder or solid material containers, whereas ultrasonic level transmitters are used for liquids and solids.

Ultrasonic level transmitters are not used for powders because they are not accurate for powder level measurement.

Is there any difference in maintenance?

The next question is, ‘Is there any difference between the maintenance of radar and ultrasonic level transmitters? The answer is yes, radar-level transmitter maintenance can be a bit difficult due to electromagnetic interference, while ultrasonic-level transmitters require relatively little maintenance.

Cost of Radar

The next question is what is the difference in cost of radar and ultrasonic level transmitters? The answer is generally radar-level transmitters are a bit costlier than ultrasonic-level transmitters, but due to their performance and range, they are preferred. So which level transmitter is reliable in this changing weather conditions? Its answer is radar-level transmitters are more reliable even in weather conditions due to electromagnetic waves.

A radar-level transmitter is more reliable in changing weather conditions, meaning substance temperature is changing, substance density is changing, and substances’ temperature changes. So in that condition radar-level transmitters can measure the level more effectively and more accurately.

The next question is ‘Are radar and ultrasonic level transmitters suitable for underwater applications’? The answer is yes, both level transmitters are useful for underwater applications, but ultrasonic level transmitters are more popular.

Which one is better: radar or ultrasonic level transmitters?

It totally depends on what are your specific requirements. If you need more range and more accuracy choosing a radar level transmitter may be better, but if you have low power consumption and the range of operation is lower then an ultrasonic level transmitter is a good option. Therefore, it’s advisable that you contact reliable level gauge and level transmitter suppliers in Dubai, like Kevitits. For more information on our radar-level transmitter suppliers in Dubai, please visit https://www.kevitits.com/.