HACH LANGE SONATAX sc User manual

DOC023.52.00117
SONATAX sc
User manual
04/2012, Edition 3A
© HACH-LANGE GmbH, 2006, 2010, 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in Germany

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Table of contents
Section 1 Technical data ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Section 2 General information ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Safety information .............................................................................................................................................. 7
2.1.1 Use of hazard information ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.1.2 Precautionary labels ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 General sensor information................................................................................................................................ 8
2.2.1 Property rights note .................................................................................................................................. 8
2.2.2 Usage areas ............................................................................................................................................. 8
2.3 Device overview................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.4 Functional principle ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Section 3 Installation ............................................................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Unpack sensor ................................................................................................................................................. 11
3.1.1 Handling of the immersed probe ............................................................................................................ 11
3.2 Connect sensor to an sc controller .................................................................................................................. 11
3.2.1 Connect sensor with quick connection ................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Function test .................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Install sensor.................................................................................................................................................... 13
3.4.1 Select the measurement location and pre-set the device....................................................................... 13
3.4.1.1 Determine the distance to the tank edge ....................................................................................... 15
3.4.1.2 Determine measurement location .................................................................................................. 15
3.4.2 Installation of the sensor......................................................................................................................... 18
3.5 Advanced settings............................................................................................................................................ 18
Section 4 Operation .............................................................................................................................................. 23
4.1 Use of the sc controller .................................................................................................................................... 23
4.2 Sensor data logging ......................................................................................................................................... 23
4.3 Sensor setup.................................................................................................................................................... 23
4.3.1 Change of the sensor name ................................................................................................................... 23
4.4 SENSOR STATUS menu................................................................................................................................. 23
4.5 SENSOR SETUP menu................................................................................................................................... 23
Section 5 Maintenance ......................................................................................................................................... 27
5.1 Maintenance tasks ........................................................................................................................................... 27
5.2 Wiper change................................................................................................................................................... 27
5.3 Cleaning tasks ................................................................................................................................................. 28
Section 6 Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................... 29
6.1 Operating state LED ........................................................................................................................................ 29
6.2 Error messages................................................................................................................................................ 29
6.3 Warnings.......................................................................................................................................................... 30
6.4 SLUDGE DOCTOR, (diagnostic software for SONATAX sc)........................................................................... 30
Section 7 Replacement parts and accessories ................................................................................................ 31
7.1 Replacement parts........................................................................................................................................... 31
7.2 Accessories...................................................................................................................................................... 31

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Table of contents
Section 8 Warranty and liability........................................................................................................................... 33
Section 9 Contact ................................................................................................................................................. 35
Modbus register .................................................................................................................................................. 37

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Section 1 Technical data
Changes reserved!
General
Measurement method Ultrasonic measurement (750–1250 kHz)
Measuring range 0.2 m–12 m (0.7 ft–40 ft) sludge level
Resolution 0.03 m (0.1 ft) sludge level
Accuracy 0.1 m (0.33 ft)
Response time 10–600 s (adjustable)
calibration One time on commissioning
Environmental conditions
Ambient temperature \> 0–50 °C (\> 0–122 °F)
Temperature compensation Automatic
Flow speed Max. 3 m/s
Pressure range 0.3 bar or 3 m (43.55 psi or 10 ft)
Sensor specifications
Dimensions 130 mm ×185 mm (5 in. ×7.3 in.) (H ×Ø)
Earth Approximately 3.5 kg (123.5 oz) (without struts)
Maintenance requirements < 1 hour/month, typically
Cable length 10 m (33 ft), maximum 100 m (330 ft) with extension cable
Power consumption 12 V, 2.4 W, (200 mA)
Protection type IP68 ( 1 bar (14.5 psi))
Compliance CE, TÜV GS, UL/CSA
Materials
Probe body Stainless steel 1.4581
Base plate and wiper POM
Wiper magnet casting compound Epoxy resin
Wiper rubber Silicone rubber
Housing seals NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber)
Light guide seal Polyurethane
Light guide LEXAN polycarbonate
Sensor connection cable 
(fixed connection)
1 cable pair AWG 22 / 12 VDC twisted, 1 cable pair AWG 24 / data twisted,
common cable shield, Semoflex (PUR)
Sensor connection plug (fixed
connection) Type M12, protection type IP67
Cable gland Stainless steel 1.4571
Cable gland insert TPE-V
Cable gland O-ring NBR, silicone

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Technical data

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Section 2 General information
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is
believed to be accurate. However, the manufacturer assumes no
responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this
manual. In no event will the manufacturer be liable for direct,
indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages resulting
from any defect or omission in this manual, even if advised of the
possibility of such damages. In the interest of continued product
development, the manufacturer reserves the right to make
improvements in this manual and the products it describes at any
time, without notice or obligation.
Revised editions are found on the manufacturer’s web site.
2.1 Safety information
Please read this entire manual before unpacking, setting up or
operating this equipment. Pay attention to all danger, warning and
caution statements. Failure to do so could result in serious injury to
the operator or damage to the equipment.
Make sure that the protection provided by this equipment is not
impaired, do not use or install this equipment in any manner other
than that specified in this manual.
2.1.1 Use of hazard information
Note: Information that supplements points in the main text.
2.1.2 Precautionary labels
Read all labels and tags attached to the instrument. Personal injury
or damage to the instrument could occur if not observed.
DANGER
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially or imminently hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that may result in minor or
moderate injury.
Notice
Indicates a situation that, if not avoided, could result in damage to the
instrument. Information that requires special emphasis.
This symbol, if noted on the instrument, references the instruction manual for operation
and/or safety information.

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General information
2.2 General sensor information
The SONATAX sc is intended for the measurement of sludge levels
in water. Use in other media without test of the materials (refer to
Section 1 Technical data on page 5) or consultation with the
manufacturer is regarded as explicitly not in accordance with
requirements.
Any use other than use in accordance with requirements defined in
the user manual leads to the loss of the warranty claims and can
lead to personal injury and property damage, for which the
manufacturer assumes no liability.
2.2.1 Property rights note
Parts of the device software are based on the work of the
Independent JPEG Group.
2.2.2 Usage areas
The SONATAX sc can be used anywhere that the solid/liquid
separation layer must be monitored. 
For example in the area of final sedimentation or in sludge
treatment (thickeners).
2.3 Device overview
Figure 1 shows the device components of the SONATAX sc.
Electrical devices marked with this symbol may after August 12, 2005 no longer be disposed of in unsorted
domestic or industrial waste Europe-wide. In conformity with European local and national regulations (EU
Directive 2002/96/EC), European electrical equipment users must now return old or end-of life equipment to
the manufacturer for disposal This is free for the consumer.
Note: Obtain instructions on the correct disposal of all (marked and not marked) electrical products that were
supplied or manufactured by the manufacturer at the relevant sales office.
Figure 1 Device overview
1Operating state LED (refer to Section 6.1)3Mount for the tank edge attachment
2Wiper 4Sensor head

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General information
2.4 Functional principle
In a tank where solid materials in water (or another fluid) can settle
to the bottom, there is a boundary between the settled solids and
the clear phase above. The distance from the water surface to the
bottom is the sludge level. The sludge height is the distance from
the tank floor.
More precisely, the sludge level (or the sludge height) indicates the
place in a tank where (viewed from the water surface) the solid
content first exceeds a defined limit. This limit value depends on the
application. It will, for example, be higher in a pre-thickener of a
wastewater treatment plant than in its final sedimentation, where
the overlying fluid should be clear water.
The SONATAX sc measures the sludge level via an echo signal
(refer to Figure 2) of an ultrasonic pulse. This echo signal is shown
in the probe menu SENSOR SETUP > TEST / MAINT > SIGNALS
in the echo list (refer to ECHO LIST on page 26). The depth and the
echo strength are specified at the ultrasonic transducer in digits
(1 digit approximately 1 µV).
Echos from layers that are further away are quieter (weaker) than
those which are closer. The SONATAX sc compensates for this
attenuation. The result is indicated on the SONATAX sc as a profile.
The data is found in the probe menu SENSOR SETUP > TEST /
MAINT > SIGNALS in the profile list (refer to PROFILE LIST on
Figure 2 Functional principle

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General information
page 26) ((2) Figure 3). The graphic display (for example sc1000)
shows the profile in the measurement operation as a graphic ((1)
Figure 3).
The example shows a typical profile curve of a sludge level
measurement. The Y axis in this graphic reaches from the floor
(which can be set in the probe menu SENSOR SETUP >
CALIBRATE > TANK DEPTH on page 24) up to the water surface.
The profile strength is given on the X axis. The profile increases at
a sludge level. If the solid content below the sludge level remains
constant, the profile strength decreases again due to the absorption
of the ultrasound in the sludge. At the very bottom, the echo of the
floor is normally detected.
The vertical line represents the threshold. The sludge level is
detected by the SONATAX sc at the point at which the profile
exceeds this threshold for the first time viewed from above
(analogous to the abovementioned definition of the sludge level). In
the graphic, the detected sludge level is identified by a mark on the
Y axis.
The threshold is set automatically on the SONATAX sc (setting:
THRESHOLD AUTO = xy % in the probe menu SENSOR SETUP >
CALIBRATE > ADV.SETTINGS > THRESHOLD AUTO on
page 24). The automatic threshold function searches for the
maximum in the detected profile. Through an exact setting of the
tank depth, a faulty measurement due to the echo of the floor is
ruled out.
The background is that the echo signal of the floor in most tanks is
the strongest in the profile. With a correct setting of the tank depth,
the floor signal is not considered by the automatic threshold
function during the determination of the sludge level.
For more information on the correct determination of the tank
depth, refer to section Section 3.4.1 on page 13.
Figure 3 Profile as graphic and list