Breaking Down APG’s Ultrasonic Sensor Lineup

Ultrasonic level sensors are powerful and effective tools for non-contact measuring, whether you’re in the business of tank level monitoring or object detection. Ultrasonics can detect anything that will reflect sound waves, regardless of color, transparency, or dielectric constant. They can be connected to relays or switches to facilitate automation or sound alarms at critical moments. Their versatility is one of the reasons they continue to be the top choice for operators across industries. 

At Automation Products Group (APG), we offer a wide range of ultrasonic-level sensors to meet the needs of different applications. We have 5 families of ultrasonic sensors: IRU, MNU, LPU, LOE, and DST, each with their own strengths and features. Ultrasonics with 4-20mA or RS-485 (Modbus) outputs can be connected to APG’s Settler & Explorer for easy remote monitoring and datalogging.

Ultrasonic Sensors at a Glance

	Certification/Rating	Range	Material	Output Options
IRU-2000	CSA for General Purpose locations	1 to 25 ft.	ABS with UV inhibitor housing	1 Solid State Relay Isolated 4-20 mA RS-485 with 1 NPN trip output RS-485 with 2 NPN trip output
IRU-2420	CSA for Hazardous locations	1 to 25 ft.	PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing	4-20 mA 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs
IRU-3430	CSA for Hazardous locations	1.25 to 50 ft.	PC/PET housing	4-20 mA 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs
IRU-5000	CSA for Hazardous location, General Purpose locations	4 in. to 79 in.	PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing	4-20 mA 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs 0-2.5 V / 0-5 V (selectable via software) RS-232 option (general purpose locations only)
IRU-6429	CSA for General Purpose locations	1 to 30 ft.	PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing	0-2.5 V / 0-5 V (selectable via software) RS-232 option
IRU-9400	CSA for General Purpose locations	6 in. to 35 ft.	PC/PET upper housing, open face with 304 SS grill	4-20 mA 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs 0-2.5 V / 0-5 V (selectable via software) RS-232 option with voltage output
MNU	General Purpose locations only	4 in. to 40 ft. (varies by model)	PBT/PC blend transducer housing, PVDF transducer face available	RS-485 (Modbus) RTU
MNU-IS	CSA, ATEX, IECEx for Hazardous locations	5 in. to 25 ft. (varies by model)	PBT/PC blend transducer housing, PVDF transducer face	RS-485 (Modbus) RTU
LPU-2127	CSA for Hazardous locations	1 to 25 ft.	PVDF transducer housing, PET upper housing	4-20 mA (loop powered)
LPU-2428	CSA Intrinsically Safe for Hazardous locations	1 to 25 ft.	PVDF transducer housing, PC/PBT upper housing	4-20 mA (loop powered)
LOE	General Purpose locations only	7 in. to 40 ft.	PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing	Ethernet TCP/IP to internal web page or APG website Up to 2 Isolated Solid State Relays (120V / 120 mA max)
DST	General Purpose locations only	4 in. to 50 ft. (varies by model)	PC/PET body	4 relays 4-20 mA RS-485 (Modbus) RTU

IRU Products 

IRU sensors include multiple ranges and output options, as well as features such as Autosense (for faster programming) and optional voltage datalogging. They all use the same programming software, available for free here on our website.

IRU-2000 

Specifically designed for outdoor applications, the IRU-2000 is suitable for use in environments outside of tanks. Instead of using a threaded fitting, these sensors can be easily attached to a flat surface using bolts. The IRU-2000 transducers are commonly utilized for tasks such as absence/presence detection, object profiling, car wash automation, and various other applications. 

Features Autosense software for faster programming. Also includes Clock Sync feature. 

• Certification/Rating: CSA General Purpose locations 
• Range: 1 to 25 ft 
• Material: ABS with UV inhibitor housing 
• Output options: 
  • 1 Solid State Relay 
  • Isolated 4-20 mA 
  • RS-485 with 1 NPN trip point 
  • 4-20 mA with 2 NPN trip points 

IRU-2420 

Ideal for use in tanks, water/wastewater applications, and more. Features Autosense software for faster programming.  

• Certifications: CSA for Hazardous locations 
• Range: 1 to 25 ft 
• Materials: PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing 
• Output options: 
  • 4-20 mA 
  • 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs 

IRU-3430 

Designed for long-range measurements in challenging environments. Features Autosense software for faster programming.  

• Certifications: CSA for Hazardous locations 
• Range: 1.25 to 50 ft 
• Materials: PC/PET housing 
• Output options: 
  • 4-20 mA 
  • 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs 

IRU-5000  

Features an exceptionally small blanking distance of just 4 inches, making it most suitable for short-range precision measuring. It was designed for measuring small tanks, containers, and totes. Features Autosense software for easy programming. Excitation Input for Datalogging is available with voltage output. 

• Certifications: CSA Hazardous locations, General Purpose locations 
• Range: 4 to 79 in. 
• Materials: PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing 
• Output options: 
  • 4-20 mA 
  • 4-20 mA with 2 NPN outputs 
  • 0-2.5 V/0-5 V (selectable via software) 
  • RS-232 option with voltage output (general purpose locations only) 

IRU-6429 

Ideal for use in tanks, water/wastewater applications, and applications requiring voltage output. Features Autosense software for faster programming. Excitation Input for Datalogging is available with voltage output. 

• Certifications: CSA for General Purpose locations 
• Range: 1 to 30 ft 
• Materials: PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing 
• Output options: 
  • 0-2.5 V/0-5 V (selectable via software) 
  • RS-232 option with voltage output 

IRU-9400  

Utilizes an exceptionally sensitive electrostatic transducer to detect challenging targets. It excels at detecting non-reflective and/or soft surfaces. It is best used indoors, away from dust, in non-hazardous locations. Excitation Input for Datalogging is available with voltage output. 

• Certifications: CSA for General Purpose locations
• Range: 6 in. to 35 ft 
• Materials: PC/PET upper housing, open face with 304 SS grill 
• Output options:  
  • 4-20mA 
  • 4-20mA with 2 NPN outputs 
  • 0-2.5V / 0-5V (selectable via software) 
  • RS-232 option with voltage output 

MNU Products (Modbus Network Ultrasonic) 

MNUs are networkable ultrasonic sensors that can be used for liquid or solid level measurement applications. The ultrasonic transducer can be connected to any Modbus controller, allowing the user to access and control multiple points in a single system. This offers improved accuracy and features such as fault detection.

It is fully compatible with APG’s Settler and seamlessly integrates with APG’s Modbus Network Display (MND). 

MNU 

The MNU allows ultrasonic level measurement with RS-485/Modbus output for general purpose locations. 

• Certifications: General Purpose locations only 
• Range: 4 in. to 40 ft (varies by model) 
• Materials: PBT/PC blend transducer housing, PVDF transducer face available 
• Output options: 
  • RS-485 (Modbus) RTU 

MNU-IS  

The MNU-IS features Quickmode, a power-saving method to obtain a real-time level measurement in just 250 milliseconds. It is ideal for hazardous locations needing intrinsically safe certified instrumentation. 

• Certifications: CSA, ATEX, IECEx for Hazardous locations 
• Range: 5 in. to 25 ft (varies by model) 
• Materials: PBT/PC blend transducer housing, PVDF transducer face 
• Output options: 
  • RS-485 (Modbus) RTU

LPU Products (Loop Powered Ultrasonic) 

The LPU sensors feature loop resistance outputs. This means easier wiring and setup for your 4-20mA output ultrasonic sensor.

LPU-2127  

The LPU-2127 is specifically crafted with a user-friendly setup in mind. Wiring can be completed swiftly, and programming is conveniently performed using the integrated keypad. 

• Certifications: CSA Hazardous locations  
• Range: 1 to 25 ft 
• Materials: PVDF transducer housing, PET upper housing 
• Output options: 
  • 4-20 mA (loop-powered) 

LPU-2428 

The LPU-2428 stands out for its built-in ability to accurately calculate distance, level, flow, and volume in both linear and nonlinear tanks. It also features Class 1 Div 1 hazardous rating for environments that require intrinsically safe instrumentation.

• Certifications: CSA Intrinsically Safe for Hazardous locations 
• Range: 1 to 25 ft 
• Materials: PVDF transducer housing, PC/PBT upper housing  
• Output options: 
  • 4-20 mA (loop powered) 

LOE Products (Level Over Ethernet) 

The LOE ultrasonic series offers non-contact level measurements with the easiest possible setup. Simply connect a POE (Power Over Ethernet) cable and the sensor will be powered and can connect to the online remote monitoring platform. Each LOE can also act as a Modbus network controller for up to 10 other sensors. 

• Certifications: General Purpose locations only 
• Range: 7 in. to 40 ft (varies by model) 
• Materials: PC/PET upper housing, PVDF transducer housing 
• Output options: 
  • Ethernet TCP/IP to internal web page or APG website 
  • Up to 2 Isolated Solid State Relays (120V / 120 mA max) 

DST Products 

The DST ultrasonic sensor series is designed to be used with APG’s DCR controller for a simple, stand-alone system ideal for large tanks and liquid storage applications. 

• Certifications: General Purpose locations only 
• Range: 4 in. to 50 ft (varies by model) 
• Materials: PC/PET body 
• Output options (via DCR controller):  
  • 4 relays 
  • 4-20 mA 
  • RS-485 (Modbus) RTU

Built to Last 

Regardless of which ultrasonic level sensor you end up choosing, you can always count on high-quality materials that are built to last. We boast one of the lowest return rates on the market, at less than 0.5% warranty returns.  

Need help deciding which ultrasonic sensor is best for you? Get in touch with one of our experts today! We are here to help you find the right solution for your application. 

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