Fluid Level Controller with Indicator

This article illustrates about a fluid-level controller with an indicator. This concept is quite useful in places where it is difficult to monitor the occupancy of the tank – for instance, places like petrol, gas, oil, water tanks and other places. It is quite easy and profitable to monitor the liquid level by an indicator in both ways: economical and technical.

By using this control indicator, one can monitor the filling of the container as per the requirements like how much quantity needs to be exactly filled. It is useful in tall buildings where water needs to be filled at the top floor and in oil or liquid fillings where it is hard to surveil.

Working Principle of Fluid Level Controller

Here is the circuit layout for the liquid level indicator for home appliances and for industrial purpose. The level of any liquid can be measured by this method.

In this method, we provide different indicators at various levels of the liquid storage. We can use temporary indicators for various applications by placing indicators along the length of the steel rod or we can permanently fix them depending on the application requirements. These liquid level indicators are widely used in the oil, gas, pharma and other industries. We can also use them in different home appliances as level indicator in water tankers, juice makers, coffee makers, and washing machines, swimming pools, and so on.

Steps

• First burn the program into micro controller.
• Now install the connections as per the circuit provided.
• Take precaution while providing A.C and D.C power supply.
• For the purpose of explanation we take 4 levels in the liquid tank
• Next, Start filling the tank
• When the liquid reaches to quarter level, it displays as quarter.
• When it reaches half of the tank it will show half and when it goes past half and quarter it will display half and quarter
• If you still pour liquid, it will display full. When it gets full ,it will send instructions to the motor to off automatically.
• Switch off the power supply and board supply to the  motor

Flow Chart

Here is the flow chart to prepare a liquid level indicator; you can provide power supply to input signal, micro controller, opto-isolator, relay driving circuit, and to the monitor. There should be an inter connection between all modules, and the indicators should be connected with the micro controller.

Applications

• Buildings where it is difficult to monitor water tank level.
• Industrial applications like oil, gas, pharma etc.
• Home appliances like juice makers, washing machines, water heaters, water tankers, swimming pools etc.

Analog Fuel Tank Indicator

A unit is placed in the fuel tank of the container that has a float. The float is connected to a metal rod and its end is enclosed in a variable resistor. This resistor is connected to the ground at one end. The wiper that is connected with the gauge slides along with its strip. It is an analog way. The digital monitor can be installed based on the requirement. The amount of fuel in the tank can be displayed on an array of LED display.

Install different indicators at different levels, or install a material in the tank such that it will detect with a sensor, based on the fuel, which is contained in the tank.

Water Level Indicator in a Washing Machine

Liquid level or water level in the washing machine is indicated by a water level controller switch. It is actuated by an air pressure. The other end is attached to an airdrome. There are 3 terminals on the switch, common contact for internal switch, normally open switch and normally closed switch.

Water Level Indicator Project

Below circuit is designed for overhead water tanker with an LCD display. It shoes raising and falling water level in the tank. A relay is used to turnoff motor automatically, when it exceeds its maximum level. Here a lamp is shown in the circuit. The ground terminal of the sensor should be kept at bottom of the container.

A step-down transformer 230/12v is used in the power supply.  It is used to step down the voltage to 12v AC. This is converted to DC using Bridge rectifier. Ripples can be removed by the capacitive filter, and by using voltage regulator 7805 you can regulate voltage to +5v. It is required for the operation of different ICs and components.

It can be enhanced with a loud speaker or any other indicator to alert. If we attach a GSM module it sends an alert message to mobile or GSM device in the case of crucial readings in industry.

Hardware Requirements

• Microcontroller unit
• LCD (16×2)
• Ultrasonic module
• LED
• Transistors
• MOSFET
• Crystal
• Transformer
• Diodes
• Voltage Regulator
• Capacitors
• Resistors
• Relay
• Lamp
• Holder (Pump optional at extra)

Software Requirements

• Keil Computer
• Language: Embedded C or Assembly

Ultrasonic Liquid Level Indicator Project

It is a reflection based ultra sonic level controller that detects a precise range by the  reflection coming ahead of it. In a serial port of the micro controller, this module can be interfaced.

Whenever there is a requirement of certain liquid level such as below or above the level, the system detects based on the program that is programmed in the controller. A sensor detects the level of the liquid, and then the imformationis sent using transmitter to the receiver and receiver end module makes motor turn on/off based on the requirement.

When signal is received it activates a relay through MOSFET which operates motor that turn ON/OFF.

The liquid level can be adjusted using a micro-controller as per requirements. For example, if someone needs alerts when there is 20% of liquid in the container they can get an alert. It is easy to make adjustments for different applications like automatic switch on/off at different levels. It can be operated by the GSM mobile.

Hardware Requirements

• Microcontroller unit
• LCD (16×2)
• Ultrasonic module
• LED
• Transistors
• MOSFET
• Crystal
• Transformer
• Diodes
• Voltage Regulator
• Capacitors
• Resistors
• Relay
• Lamp
• Holder (Pump optional at extra)

Software Requirements

• Keil Computer
• Language: Embedded C or Assembly

Conclusion

By using different electronics projects like level sensors in our day-to-day life and in industry we can easily monitor and control the fluid containers or water tanks. It saves time, decreases complexity, economically efficient, and reduces wastage of liquid.

Photo Credits

• Water Level Indications by vidyarthiplus
• Block Diagram of Liquid Level Controller by2.bp.blogspot
• Water Tank with 4-Level Indicator by3.imimg
• Flowchart Representing the Working of Liquid Level Controller byrmshmlpt.files.wordpress
• Analog Fuel Tank Indicator (Petrol Tank Indicator) byglobalspec
• Washing Machine Water Level Indicator byblogspot