Sontay LS-MC User manual

UK Sales Tel: 0845 345 7253 International Tel: +44 1732 861225

Ultrasonic Level Transmitter

Page 1 of 8

LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Features

Specification Product Codes

• 2-Wire loop powered

• IP67 Housing

• 12 to 30Vdc power supply

• Fast speed of response, as much as 10m per minute

• Locking nut supplied

Measurement range 0.3m to 8m

Output 4-20mA

Supply 12 to 30Vdc loop powered

Load impedance 750Ωmax.

Cable entry 2 x M20 x 1.5mm

Max. cable run 3000m (1.86 miles)

Display Integral 4-digit LCD

Beam angle ±6° (3db)

Resolution Better than 1mm

Accuracy (measured range)

<1.0mm ±5mm

>1.0mm ±0.5% of measured distance

Damping 1 to 99 seconds (adjustable)

Process connection 2” BSPT

Temperature range -20 to +70°C

Operating pressure -0.25 to 3bar max. (20°C)

Material:

Transducer PVDF

Housing Glass filled nylon

Dimensions 205.5 x 141mm overall

Protection IP67

Conformity EN50081-1 & EN50082-2

Country of origin UK

LS-MC

Ultrasonic 4-20mA level transmitter, c/w locking nut

Accessorys

LS-NUT

Additional fixing nut

LS-FK

Adaptor flange for LS-UL3 fixings

Page 2 of 8

UK Sales Tel: 0845 345 7253 International Tel: +44 1732 861225

LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Technical Overview Installation (continued)

The LS-MC is a ultrasonic level transmitter for measurement

of liquids in tanks or sumps. The 4-20mA output represents

the distance between the surface of the liquid being de-

tected and the sensor.

The LS-MC has a integral LCD display, 3 push buttons under

the lid for security, and just 8 parameters to set making it

one of the simplest ultrasonic level transmitters to calibrate

and use.

Installation

1. Ensure the LS-MC has a clear uninterrupted path

between the transducer face and lowest fluid level.

2. Mount the LS-MC away from filling points, walls and

ladders with it's face horizontal.

3. Mount the LS-MC at least 0.3 metres above the highest

liquid level and 0.88 metres away from walls.

4. Do not over tighten the fixing nut, only tighten by hand.

Use the hexagon nut, not the housing.

5. Keep the LS-MC away from high voltage/current devices

and variable speed drives.

6. Shield the LS-MC from direct sunlight.

7. If used with a liquid where foaming could occur, locate

the LS-MC over an area of clear liquid. Failure to comply

will result in a reduced size of the return echo, thus an

incorrect reading.

8. Applications where heavy condensation is likely on the

instrument face should be avoided.

9. The LS-MC is not suitable for use in a hazardous area.

10. The electrical connections are Red = 24-36Vdc supply,

and Blue 4-20mA output.

C Min. 0.88m

D Min. 0.3m

D Max. 8m

3° max.

Min. R3.0mm

Max.

0.35m

Min. 0.15m

Page 3 of 8

UK Sales Tel: 0845 345 7253 International Tel: +44 1732 861225

LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Connections Display Units

Cable type:

Min. 0.22mm² (24 SWG / 23 SWG)

Max. 1.5mm² (16 SWG / 18 SWG)

Operation

A programming card is supplied inside the LS-MC, a copy is

on page 8.

The programming card shows the pre-programmed parame-

ters that are held in the memory.

Power Up

On power up, the LS-MC will take a few seconds to initialise,

then the display will run through a set-up routine, showing a

full set of figure eight’s, then the software revision and

finally a full set of zeros whilst the microprocessor identifies

the correct return echo and confirms this repeats enough to

be acceptable.

The instrument is now ready for use, and is set-up using the

3 coloured push buttons.

Refer to the programme menu which is on page 8, and also

in the instrument itself on a card tucked between the elec-

tronics housing and the body.

The LS-MC default value is meters.

The display units can be changed using the blue button .

Simply hold the blue button down for 10 seconds and the

units will change to the next option in the following

sequence :

Metres to Feet to Inches and back to Metres again.

This is indicated by the position of the decimal point in the

displayed value :

Once the units have changed from default to the next

option, the blue button can be released, in which case the

new units selected are confirmed, or the blue button can

continue to be held down, in which case the next units

option is given after a further three seconds.

When the display units have been programmed, please note

that you must use the same units when programming in the

bottom reference, 4 and 20mA points.

The 4-20mA output may be set to operate over all or just a

part of the total measuring range. There is no theoretical

limit on the minimum span of the current output, although

in practice a span below 100mm is not recommended. With

small spans, be aware that a high value of damping will

greatly affect the performance of LS-MC.

The 4mA level may be set above or below the 20mA level to

suit the monitoring or control equipment.

Note: The LS-MC measures and calculates at all times in

metres. The units of display are derived as a last operation

using a pre-programmed conversion factor.

First Measurements

With the LS-MC installed and display units selected, the

display will now be showing what the instrument thinks is

the liquid level. This is a value calculated by the microproc-

essor, being the difference between the distance to target

being measured and the default value for the datum or

bottom reference (b.rEF).

24Vdc Supply 4-20mA Output

Units Display

ft. 26.24

in. 314.9

Page 4 of 8

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LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

First Measurements (continued) Setting The Correct Bottom Ref. (b.rEF)

Before changing any of the default values, use blue button

to scroll along to the next piece of information, which is

the distance to target as measured by the LS-MC from the

front (transmit) face. This value is shown alternately with

the text “diSt” to remind the user the LS-MC display is in

distance mode. You can now quickly check correct operation

against a manual measurement if required.

Tip: A feature of the LS-MC useful at this stage is that it can

be used as an electronic tape measure. With an empty tank

or vessel, the LS-MC will read the distance to the bottom of

the tank. This can be noted and used when setting b.rEF

later.

Press blue button again to scroll the display to show the

echo size on a scale of 0-100. (It is possible to record a

value greater than 100, but do not worry about this!). With

the display in this mode, the central “:” cursor will flash once

for every echo received, which under normal circumstances

will be approximately once per second.

Tip: It is useful at this point to check that the maximum

echo size available is being received. Adjust the position of

the instrument until the highest echo size is shown

continually. In most applications, the signal strength will

vary over a wide range : 20 – 80.

Press blue button now to return to the original level read-

ing and to start the calibration routine.

Note that the output of the LS-MC will vary during program-

ming as the various default values are changed. The display

will automatically revert to the level or distance reading from

any other display after a period of 4 minutes.

1. Press green button and the display will scroll from the

level reading to “b.rEF”.

2. Press blue button . to enter the editing menu for b.

The display will show the present value of the b.rEF

parameter.

3. If this value is correct, press red button , then green

button to scroll on to the next menu option.

To change the value, press blue button to edit :-

The first digit of the display will flash and may be changed

using green button . Once correct, press blue button to

select the next digit and then green button to edit, or the

blue button  again to move to the next digit. Continue

this sequence until all 4 digits are correct, then press the

blue button a final time to confirm the new b.rEF value

(none of the digits should now be flashing).

If the new value is incorrect, the edit sequence for b.rEF can

be started again by pressing the blue button . If the new

value is correct, press the red button to save the b.rEF

programmed in and the display will automatically scroll on to

the 4mA (4) setting menu.

Setting The 4 and 20mA Levels ( 4 & 20)

The 4mA level may be set above or below the 20mA level to

suit the monitoring or control equipment.

If you wish to set the 4 and 20mA levels by ranging the

LS-MC to a fixed target, such as the level in the tank at any

particular time, skip these menu options by pressing the

green button 2 times to arrive at the set damping option.

1. Press the blue button to enter the editing menu for

the 4mA level. The display will show the present value of

the 4mA level.

2. If this value is correct, press the red button then the

green button  to scroll on to the next menu option.

Press the blue button to edit this value:

The first digit of the display will flash and may be changed

using green button. Once correct, press blue button to

20/4

4/20

B.rEF

Liquid

level

Page 5 of 8

UK Sales Tel: 0845 345 7253 International Tel: +44 1732 861225

LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Setting The 4 and 20mA Levels ( 4 & 20) (cont.) Setting The Damping Applied To The Output (d)

select the next digit and then green button to edit, or the

blue button again to move to the next digit. Continue this

sequence until all 4 digits are correct, then press the blue

button a final time to confirm the new 4mA value (none

of the digits should now be flashing).

If the new value is incorrect, the edit sequence for 4mA can

be started again by pressing the blue button . If the new

value is correct, press the red button to save the 4mA

level programmed in and the display will automatically scroll

on to the 20mA (20) setting menu.

1. Press the blue button to enter the editing menu for

the 20mA level. The display will show the present value

of the 20mA parameter.

2. If this value is correct, press the red button , then the

green button to scroll on to the next menu option.

Press the blue button to edit this value :-

The first digit of the display will flash and may be changed

using green button . Once correct, press blue button to

select the next digit and then green button to edit, or the

blue button again to move to the next digit. Continue this

sequence until all 4 digits are correct, then press the blue

button a final time to confirm the new 20mA value (none

of the digits should now be flashing).

If the new value is incorrect, the edit sequence for 20mA

can be started again by pressing the blue button .

If the new value is correct, press the red button to save

the 20mA level programmed in and the display will auto-

matically scroll on to the damping (d) setting menu.

Setting The Damping Applied To The Output (d)

The damping value entered is actually a time constant in

seconds which is applied as smoothing to the level reading

and the output current. A new value may be entered up to a

value of 999 seconds. A large value will have the effect of

smoothing out rapid changes of level and will also smooth

out the effects of turbulence and ripples on the liquid

surface. (It would be highly unusual to select a value greater

than 30 seconds.)

You may choose to enter a value of zero, in which case no

smoothing will be applied to the current output and changes

in reading immediately change the current output. (note, as

the LS-MC transmits at nominally once per second, a damp-

ing time of zero will not necessarily give an immediate

response).

1. Press the blue button to enter the editing menu for

the damping time .

The display will show the present value of damping.

2. If this value is correct, press the red button , then the

green button to scroll on to the next menu option.

Press the blue button to edit this value :-

The first digit of the display will flash and may be changed

using green button . Once correct, press blue button to

select the next digit and then green button to edit, or the

blue button again to move to the next digit. Continue this

sequence until all 3 digits are correct, then press the blue

button a final time to confirm the new damping value

(none of the digits should now be flashing).

If the new value is incorrect, the edit sequence for damping

can be started again by pressing the blue button .

If the new value is correct, press the red button to save

the damping value programmed in and the display will auto-

matically scroll on to the alarm action menu. (AL)

Selecting The Output Current Output On Alarm

Condition

The LS-MC will signal an alarm condition in the event that

the target echo is lost for a period of 10s or more.

The user can select what action the current output will take

in this case.

The current on the two wire loop will drive up to 21mA a n d

remain there until the correct target echo is recovered. The

display will flash "LE" and the last reading.

Hold

The current will freeze at the value it was last reading and

will remain there until the correct target echo is recovered.

The display will flash "LE" and the last reading.

Page 6 of 8

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LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Selecting The Output Current Output On Alarm

Condition (continued) Blocking Unwanted Echoes From False Targets

The current on the two wire loop will drive down to 3.6mA

and remain there until the correct target echo is recovered.

The display will flash "LE" and the last reading.

To change the action from the default action Hold, enter the

menu using, the blue button to show the current action.

Press blue button to enter edit mode. With the display

flashing use green button to display the required action

and then press blue button to select this action and the

display will stop flashing. Press red button to save and

scroll on to the menu that allows setting of the 4mA and

20mA levels against a known target.

Setting the 4 and 20mA Levels Using Actual

Liquid Levels in Tank (S--4 and S-20)

If you have already programmed the 4 and 20mA levels as

above, you do not need to enter this menu. All the program-

ming is now complete and you should press the green but-

ton to move to the final "Lrn" option in the main menu.

If, however, you wish to set the 4 or 20mA level by ranging

the instrument to a known target - perhaps the level in the

vessel at this time - then press the blue button to enter

this menu.

The first option is to set the 4mA level. Ensure the target is

at the desired 4mA level and, with the display reading the

new value, press the blue button . The display will show

the present value for the 4mA setting. Press the blue button

again to edit the 4mA level, and the display will alter-

nately flash “4” with the current level reading.

Press blue button to confirm the correct value for the

4mA level then press red button to save and exit to the

20mA setting menu.

To set the 20mA level, ensure that the target is at the de-

sired 20mA level and, with the display reading the new

value, press the blue button . The display will show the

present value for the 20mA setting. Press the blue button 

again to edit the 20mA level, and the display will alternately

flash “20” with the current level reading.

Press blue button to confirm the correct value for the

20mA level then press red button to save and exit to the

"Lrn" menu.

The LS-MC has an easy to use “Lrn” (Learn) routine which

allows the user to teach the instrument up to 2 false echoes

and then ignore them in future operation.

If the application is straight forward and there are no false

echoes, press the green button now to exit the program-

ming menu and return the instrument to normal operation,

showing the level reading on the display.

If, once the LS-MC is in operation, an echo other than the

true liquid surface echo is detected, and an incorrect level

reading is displayed, the instrument can be taught to ignore

this false echo. This routine may be used at any time, either

during or after set-up or should a problem occur later.

Press blue button to enter the Lrn menu. The display will

show “LrnX”, where X is 0,1 or 2 and is the number of false

target echoes already stored. To store a new false echo,

press the blue button for greater than 5s.

Note : If there are already 2 false echoes stored (Lrn2) then

the LS-MC will not allow the user to store another echo until

the memory is cleared. (see below).

The display will now flash the false target position alternat-

ing with "Lrn". After 4s the false target is stored and the

display shows "LrnX". If for any reason this target is not to

be saved then press the blue button and the "Lrn"

sequence may be repeated or aborted. Otherwise, press the

red button to save the false target echo and return to the

main menu.

To store another false target echo, navigate down the main

menu to "Lrn" and repeat the sequence again.

Note: When a false target echo is stored, the LS-MC

effectively sets up a 'window' around the false target and

will ignore any echo from within that window unless the

echo from the liquid surface is larger than that from the

false target.

The user may therefore see no change in the LS-MC output

current whilst the liquid level moves through this window,

which is equivalent to a distance of around 200mm.

To clear the LS-MC of all false echoes stored, simply press

blue button to enter the Lrn menu then with the display

showing "LrnX" press the green button for 10s to com-

pletely clear the memory. The display will now show "Lrn0".

Page 7 of 8

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LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Changing Operation To Distance Mode Fault Finding & Error Messages (continued)

If the LS-MC is to be used to measure distance rather than

level, the display can now be changed accordingly. With the

display showing the level reading, press the blue button ,

the display will now show the distance to target alternating

with "Dist".

Note: The display will continue to alternate between the

distance to target and "Dist" whilst in distance mode.

Power Failure

All parameters are held in E² PROM memory, so in the event

of a power failure or disconnection from the power supply

the LS-MC will remember all of it’s last parameter values and

will resume correct operation once power is restored.

Final Checks

Check the display is reading correctly.

You may wish to check echo size again before re-fitting the

enclosure lid.

Check that the cover seal is in place in the cover and is good

condition. It should not be twisted or kinked in any way.

Carefully set the cover on the LS-MC with the text on the

cover label at right angles to the conduit entry, and tighten

the three cover screws equally to seal the instrument.

Check that the cable gland is securely tightened and sealing

on the cable sheath.

Fault Finding & Error Messages

No display:

Check power supply. Ensure a minimum of 12v dc at the

instrument terminals. Check cable insulation is not prevent-

ing contact at the terminal block.

No level reading :

Check instrument is pulsing. You should be able to hear the

transducer “ticking” about once per second. If there is no

sound, the instrument should be replaced.

Error messages:

Flashing “LE” with “0000”. This means that the LS-MC is not

receiving a return echo possibly because the liquid surface is

poor or beyond the range (8m/26ft) of the instrument.

Re-locate the instrument.

Error messages (continued):

Flashing “LE” with a level reading. This means that the LS-

MC is no longer receiving satisfactory echoes from the liquid

surface. This may be because of one of a variety of reasons,

excessive foaming, turbulence or ullage vapours.

First, check that the instrument transmit face is free from

contamination and condensation. The LS-MC will operate

with some condensation on the face, but excessive conden-

sation may cause operational problems. The vessel should

be adequately vented to prevent condensation forming.

Check the instrument is still vertically aligned above the

liquid surface, then check the echo received size. If the echo

size is small (<3), re-locate the transducer or modify the

vessel so that the LS-MC can operate above a more

acceptable area of the liquid surface.

Lost echo (LE) will not be signalled until there has been no

return echo for a 10 second period. Within the 10 seconds,

the output will remain fixed. If the 10 seconds elapses and

no satisfactory has been received, the output will drive to

the current level selected and the display will flash the last

valid level reading alternately with “LE”.

If, however, a satisfactory echo is received within the 10

seconds, a new output is established and the LE timer is

re-set.

Dimensions

140mm

158mm

202mm

96mm

106mm 2” BSPT

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this specification, Sontay cannot accept responsibility for damage, injury, loss or

expense resulting from errors or omissions. In the interest of technical improvement, this specification may be altered without notice.

Page 8 of 8

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LS-MC

Issue: 5.0

Date Of Issue: 10/06/2009

Programming Menu

le Default

Units Units Units

Level Distance Echo Size Level

(Default)

b.rEF

Level

S--4

S-20

Lrn

Display Edit Siaplay

Bottom Ref. Bottom Ref. Bottom Ref.

Display Edit Display4mA

4mA Level 4mA Level Level

Display Edit Display20mA

20mA Level 20mA Level Level

Display Edit Display

Damping Damping Damping

DisplayAlarm Scroll Display

CurrentAction Hi/Lo/Hold Action

Display Level Flash "4" DisplayLevel

for 4mA with Level for 4mA

DisplayLevel Flash "20" Display Level

for 20mA with Level for 20mA

Display Flash£Lrn" Display

"Lrnx" with Level "Lrnx"

b.rEF

S--4

S-20

Lrn

8.000

0.000

7.500

Hold

0.000

7.500

Lrn0

Default

Values

Site

Settings





















































For > 10s

mftinm

To save

for 5s

For > 10s

to clear

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