Modern manufacturing depends on reliable inventory control. Many plants rely on a mix of level detection technologies tied to specific materials or tank conditions. This setup requires complex maintenance, more effort when selecting the right sensors, and poses a risk of inconsistent performance. Standardizing the approach to level measurement gives operations a consistent method for maintaining reliability, improving material availability, and supporting future digital initiatives.
Traditional level-detection technologies (radar, ultrasonic, or capacitive) have their limitations. The measurement can be affected by tank shape, process conditions, or material and environmental factors, including uneven surfaces, bridging gaps, or buildup of vapor and foam. The sensors often come in contact with the materials, leading to a higher risk of corrosion, contamination, and more demanding maintenance. Standard sensors are not universally compatible with all materials and tank designs, and may deliver inconsistent readings.
Gravimetric level sensors are the most reliable method of monitoring material levels in storage tanks. Installed outside the tank, they eliminate concerns of material compatibility, process conditions, detection challenges, and contamination risks.
Gravimetric level monitoring provides a universal and dependable measurement method for all tank shapes, as well as various materials being stored (liquids, granules, slurries, or powders). Furthermore, it does not require secondary conversions such as height-to-weight, reducing additional sources of uncertainty. When accounting, invoicing, or compliance are tied to the tank contents, gravimetric measurement is a much more reliable choice.
An innovative sensing technology that performs well across all applications, materials, tank designs, and environmental conditions is available. The SLL210 AnyLevel™ gravimetric level detection eliminates many risks associated with sensor selection. It reduces training requirements and minimizes long-term maintenance, enabling plants to streamline spare parts, simplify troubleshooting, and establish a consistent measurement strategy. All that supports both operational stability and future automation goals.
The SLL210 AnyLevel delivers reliable, universal level measurement with minimal effort. Smart daisy-chain connectivity, IO-Link integration, and ground-level installation make it easy to install, maintain, and monitor any tank or material.
SLL210 AnyLevel are smart sensors connected in a daisy-chain topology, reducing complexity with no junction box or terminal required. In the daisy chain, each sensor has one male and one female connector, avoiding the risks of a wrong connection with a standard cable. The sensors automatically self-initialize and are powered up sequentially to exchange online information and communicate their positions in the daisy chain. The sensor directly connected to a PLC or other control systems is powered up first and becomes the master sensor. It cyclically communicates the condition monitoring information and the total weight value measured in the entire chain.
IO-Link has become one of the most popular, well-accepted manufacturer-independent protocols enabling flexible and seamless integration of sensors and actuators in industrial control systems. Customers appreciate its bi-directional data exchange, parameterization, and condition monitoring. SLL210 AnyLevel sensors provide IO-Link as a primary direct connection to PLCs and other control systems via standard cables and connectors, simplifying the installation. Automatic device identification and easy device parameterization enable swift replacements of defective sensors for increased uptime.
Installing sensors below the tank enables reliable level detection while keeping installation and maintenance processes safely on the ground.
Reduced safety risks by eliminating work at heights
Faster, simpler installation with no tank-top access
No tank openings or intrusions
Easy ground-level maintenance and troubleshooting
No direct contact with hazardous or explosive materials
Suitable for approved hazardous area installation
SLL210 AnyLevel sensors are factory-calibrated. Specifying the local gravity makes the SLL210 AnyLevel sensor ready to measure from day one. Not requiring any calibration or adjustment once installed, they require fewer maintenance efforts.
SLL210 AnyLevel is a smart level sensor that enables reliable level detection by providing real-time condition monitoring. A dependable level detection is essential, as it safeguards that enough raw material is available to run production or sufficient refilling space is available for scheduled material deliveries.
With analog sensors, weeks, months, or years can pass before a costly problem is discovered. Condition monitoring with smart sensors, on the other hand, provides constant material availability checks. It simplifies maintenance by providing real-time feedback and allowing enough time for corrective actions to be taken.
SMART5™ alarming system offers certainty by clearly defining priorities. Whether it is a sensor overload, a wrong step taken, or an error becoming critical, corrective actions are planned accordingly. The alarm’s root cause can be eliminated before the product or the entire process is compromised.
Defective sensors can be easily replaced, as all the parameters of the daisy chain (including the latest initialization, zeroing, span adjustment, GEO codes, or low and upper thresholds) have been saved during the previous self-initialization. After the replacement is complete, the sequential power-up starts, without requiring any action from the operator. During the process, the new sensors clone the previous configuration on their respective on-board electronics and automatically assign themselves a position in the daisy chain. The replacement sensors are installed, and the system is immediately running, reducing costly downtime.
