ETS ETS.A User manual

Fuel Level Sensor
ETS.A
Operating Manual

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Contents
1Purpose..................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2Technical Parameters ...........................................................................................................................................4
3Package Contents ..................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4Construction and Principle of Operation..............................................................................................................4
5Installation and Operation....................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Requirements for Use...................................................................................................................................6
5.2 Installation Basics .........................................................................................................................................6
5.3 Connection.....................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.4 Installation Sequence .................................................................................................................................13
5.5 End Cap.......................................................................................................................................................14
6Calibration ..........................................................................................................................................................15
6.1 Calibration using the Universal Service Adapter ........................................................................................16
7Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................................19
8Marking Code.........................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
9Transport and Storage........................................................................................................................................23

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1 Purpose
The analogue fuel level sensor ETS.A (below, also ‘sensor’) is intended for measuring changes in the level
of liquid fuels and lubricants (LFL) and may be used in vehicles and LFL storage terminals as a component of systems
measuring and controlling the volume of LFL such as various types of petrol, diesel and lubricant oils.
The sensor measures the level of its sensingassembly’s immersion in the fuel and provides an analogue
output signal proportionate to the level measured.
The sensor may be used with imaging devices or programmable controllers whose signal input
specifications correspond to the sensor’s technical parameters.
Figure 1. Fuel Level Sensor ETS.A
To increase reliability and improve operating parameters, the sensor includes the following technical
solutions and functions:
✓The sensor’s electronic circuitry is embedded in an elastic compound ensuring maximum protection and
reliability in any operating environment. Measuring tubes are made of materials that do not enter into
chemical reactions with LFL or their components.
✓The sensor includes a built-in supply voltage stabilizer that prevents its output voltage being affected by
supply voltage fluctuations.
✓The sensor also has a built-in algorithm for averaging measured values, which allows readings to be averaged
over a given period of time.
✓The sensor includes a built-in self-diagnosis algorithm.

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2 Technical Parameters
Parameter
Value
Supply
Supply voltage, V
10…30
Current consumption, mА
20
Output
Output signal type
analogue
Operating voltage range, V*
0…10
Lowest output voltage, V
0
Highest output voltage, V
10
Level Measurement
Lower limit of measurable level of fuel above tank floor, mm
20 and higher
Upper limit value of measurement, mm
200 … 4000
Limiting error of level measurement, % of sensor length
± 1
Additional limiting error by temperature, %**
1 or lower
General Information
Dimensions, mm
L x 70 x 70
Weight, kg
0.3 to 3
Continuous duration of operation
no limit
Operating temperature range, °С
−40…+70
Relativehumidityofambientairattemperaturesnotexceeding
+40 °С, %
95 or lower
*Upper and lower limit values of output signal and lowest value of the signal depend on the length to which the
sensor has been cut.
**Additional limiting error accounts for the effect of the temperature of ambient air in the range of –40 °C …+70 °C
3 Package Contents
Item Name
Quantity
The sensor ETS.A
1
Extension cable
1
Gasket
1
Operating manual (incl. ratings sheet, warranty coupon)
1
Packaging box
1
*The sensor is supplied in the following standard sizes corresponding to the height of automotive fuel tanks: 700,
500, 350, 300, 180 mm. Sensors of non-standard lengths are available on special order.
4 Construction and Principle of Operation
The sensor operates on the principle of capacity measurement. The sensing assembly of the sensor
consists of two concentric tubes which form a cylindrical capacitor. Theassembly’s capacity depends on the level
to which the tubes are immersed in the LFL.

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Figure 2. Sensor Components and their Connections
The capacitor is part of the input circuit of an oscillator, which makes the period of the output signal of
the oscillator directly dependent on the capacity of the sensing assembly –and, accordingly, on the level of
immersion of the sensing assembly’s tubesinthefuel.Downtheline,amicrocontrollermeasurestheperiodofthe
signal put out by the oscillator, normalizes and averages it and verifies whether the measured value is within an
acceptable range. If the result of the verification is affirmative, the microcontroller generates an analogue signal in
the range of its operating voltage (0…10 V) which is directly proportional to the level of immersion of the sensing
assembly in the fuel. If the result of the verification is negative or if an error is detected which the built-in self-
diagnosis algorithm recognizes, the microcontroller generates an analogue signal whose voltage represents the
code assigned to the error concerned (see the table Diagnostic Codes of Sensor Errors).
Diagnostic Codes of Sensor Errors
Code (Sensor Output Voltage),
V
Error Description
1.0
Sensor’s lower and upper limits not calibrated
1.2
Sensor’s upper limit not calibrated
1.4
Oscillator frequency equals 0
1.6
Division by zero: the sensor is calibrated to a single point
1.8
EEPROM read error
2.0
Beyond upper limit of range, F>(Fmax +10%)
2.2
Beyond lower limit of range, F<(Fmin −10%)
2.4
Calibration terminal shorted
The power supply is designed touse the input voltage ofthevehicle’s onboardnetworktogeneratea
stablesupplyvoltage forthe sensor’s components,toprotect the sensor from spikes inthenetwork’s voltage,from
polarity switches in the supply and from other noise.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep in mind that allowing the sensor to operate for extended periods of time under
power supply parameters exceeding, or close to, the rated limit values may result in permanent damage to the
sensor’s protectioncircuitsasaresultofoverheating or failure of circuit components. In turn, this may render the
sensor non-functional. For operating range values of supply voltage, see the section Technical Parameters.

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5 Installation and Operation
5.1 Requirements for Use
•Before proceeding to use the sensor it must be inspected for external defects. If visible damage (cracks,
chipping, dents, etc.) is detected, the sensor should not be used;
•Upon installation, it is recommended to protect all electrical connections by anti-tamper seals;
•Any repairs must be performed by an authorized service centre;
•The sensor should be operated by personnel who have been informed of the construction, principle of
operation and instructions as provided in this Operating Manual;
•The dielectric permeability of the measured environment must be constant. Failure to observe this
requirement leads to increased errors of measurement.
5.2 Installation Basics
The sensor may be installed in a standard fuel level sensor inlet or by cutting an opening for the sensor in
the tank. It is recommended to install the sensor as close as possible to the geometric centre of the tank (Fig. 3a).
inordertoavoidthevehicle’s tiltaffectingthesensor’s readings.Ifthevehiclehastwotanks,asensormustbe
installed in each. In particular applications (such as when the vehicle is being used in rough terrain) it is
recommended to install two sensors in a tank (Fig. 3b). In this case, they must be fitted diagonally at opposite sides
ofthetank, andthecombinedoutputvaluemustbecalculatedusingtheformula: 𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏 =
𝑈
𝑠 𝑒𝑛 𝑠 𝑜 𝑟 1
+ 𝑈
𝑠 𝑒𝑛 𝑠 𝑜 𝑟 2
.
2
а) at geometric centre ofthe tank b) two sensors per tank
Figure 3. Sensor Placement
In case of installation to the vehicle’s native fuel level sensor’s inlet an adapter, available from the
manufacturer as an accessory, must also be installed and connected (Fig. 4, see Operating Manual for USA.ETS Light
3.0) because the sensor is not equipped for a direct connection to the fuel level gauge on the vehicle’s native
instrument panel.

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Figure 4. Connecting the Adapter
Ifthevehicle’s instrumentpanel does not have a sufficient number of input terminals for connecting the
required number of fuel level sensors, the readings of several sensors may be combined (Fig. 5) using a summator
(see Operating Manual for Summator ETS 3.0).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Where the readings of several sensors are to be combined, frequency-based sensors (Fuel
Level Sensor ETS.F, available from the manufacturer) must be used, the output signal of the summator being
a voltage in the range of 0…10 V.
5.3 Connection
Figure 5. Connecting the Summator ETS 3.0
Connector Pin Designations
Pin Number
Designation
Wire Colour

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1
Sensor signal
green
2
Supply ground (−)
brown
3
Supply power (+)
red
Figure 6. Front View of Sensor’s Connector
To allow for different schemes of connecting the sensor to the vehicle, two versions of the sensor are
manufactured:
Version 1: Sensor body made of aluminium. Rated for sensor connection to vehicle’s onboard network after the
chassis ground switch. Supply ground wire (–) connects to sensor body (resistance between ground wire and the
body is < 1 Ω).
Version 2: Sensor with carbon plastic body. Rated for direct connection to the vehicle’s battery or onboard network.

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Legend

Option 1
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Allowsthemonitoringsystemto operateonlyIFTHECHASSISGROUNDSWITCHISIN’CONNECTED’ POSITION
(CONNECTION AFTER THE CHASSIS GROUND SWITCH) –a straightforward option.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This connection scheme may be used for sensors with an aluminium as well as with a
carbon plastic body.
Figure 7. Connection after Chassis Ground Switch
NOTE: The fuse FA must be installed as close as possible to the supply power connection point in order to
ensure protection of onboard network from short-circuits in the power supply of the monitoringsystem.
NOTE: The connection to А is made on an onboard power wire (+) with the ignition off. To prevent fuse
blowing due to additional load, it is recommended to place the connection before the native fuse of the
circuit. One of the best connection options is the red wire of the ignition switch.
The connection to B is made on the vehicle’s chassis under the instrument panel.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Ground wires to the sensor and to the monitoring terminal should be run from the
same point.
Advantages:
✓Reliability
✓Simplicity
Disadvantages:
✓Does not allow uninterrupted monitoring of fuel level