Yes, provided the temperature stays within the operating temperature range specified by your specific model.
You also need to be aware of the effects of temperature on the speed of sound, and how your sensor will attempt to compensate. Each of our ultrasonic sensors is equipped with automatic temperature compensation that keeps your sensor readings accurate as temperature changes. The features works very well, unless the temperature around your sensor is remarkably different than the temperature at the target surface.
When the temperature at the sensor is different than the surface temperature of your target, you have a temperature gradient that changes the speed of sound as it travels. This scenario should be avoided completely to ensure an accurate measurement. When using an ultrasonic sensor outside, protect it from heating up in the sun by keeping it in the shade and away from metal housings or covers. If you are having troubles with temperature gradients, you can turn off automatic temperature compensation and use periodic adjustments to the programming to improve accuracy to an acceptable level.
Yes. You can change the effective beam angle a little by adjusting the pulse and sensitivity parameters in your ultrasonic sensor programming software.
As you strengthen both the sound wave and the sensitivity to return signals, you increase the sensor's ability to pick up readings from a wider angle. As you weaken both the sound wave and the sensitivity, you reduce your sensor's ability to pick up return signals from wide angles. You're not actually changing the sound wave spread, but you are changing the power of the sound wave and the amplification of the returning echoes.
Yes. Here's a list:
Class 1, Div 1
MNU IS
LPU-2428
Class 1, Div 2
LPU-2127
LOE
IRU-2420
IRU-3430
IRU-5000
Programming our ultrasonic sensors to match your application is easy once you understand what the settings are and how they can improve (or ruin) your readings. To help, we've created this helpful explanation: 18 Programmable Settings You Need In An Ultrasonic Sensor.
We've made the process as straightforward as we can, but the power of these adjustments can certainly feel daunting. If you still need help, please give us a call and we'll walk you through the process.
We have to charge a monthly fee for data logging and alarms because it costs us considerably more to provide those services. Hosting the data for you to view doesn't cost us much (though it does cost us). But once we add data logging (storage), and alarms (data sending/receiving), the load on the server is increased dramatically. Therefore, we get charged a lot more to provide those services.
The good news is, unlike just about everyone else, our online data portal service is free without those two features.
