OLS Family Optical Liquid-Level Sensors

Sensata-Cynergy3's OLS series is a range of robust, reliable, low-cost optical liquid level sensors for single-point liquid level detection. The OLS range of optical liquid level sensors provides customers with high reliability in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications including medical and life sciences, chemicals, water, food and beverages, and general process engineering. These sensors incorporate an LED and phototransistor housed within an optical sensing tip at the head of the device. When no liquid or dry conditions are present, infrared light from the LED is internally reflected back to the phototransistor without encumbrances ensuring normal operation. However, when liquid does cover the sensor’s tip, the light becomes refracted. This reduction results in less energy reaching the detector thus causing the sensor to change its state quickly and reliably.

OLS series sensors have a transistor output, which means they can be configured by the user to suit the application. The standard operating temperature range is from -25°C to +80°C. However, custom versions of the sensor are available that can operate in extended temperatures from -40°C to +125°C. High- and low-output versions of the sensors are available.

The sensors are installed on either the side or bottom of a tank or similar storage vessel. The OLS range comprises three sensor series: the OLS2, OLS5, and OLS7 series. The OLS2 series is an externally mounted sensor with an M12 thread. The OLS5 series is an internally mounted sensor with an M10 thread. The OLS7 series is an externally mounted sensor with a ¼” NPT thread and an open drain MOSFET output. For the OLS2 and OLS5 sensors, the output is via a TTL-compatible push-pull output.