Hydrostatic Submersible Pressure Sensor Certified for Explosive Industrial Atmospheres

The accurate measurement of liquid levels in volatile industrial environments requires specialized instrumentation designed to prevent ignition. To address continuous liquid level measurement in such applications, WIKA has engineered a submersible pressure sensor that meets European ATEX directives and international IECEx standards. This certification permits deployment in potentially explosive atmospheres classified as ATEX Zones 0 and 1, as well as IECEx Zones 0, 1, and 2. The instrument is engineered for process industries, water treatment facilities, environmental technology, and power generation, with typical deployments including wastewater lift stations, pumping stations, and oil and fuel storage tanks.

Operational Principles and Sensor Accuracy
The sensor measures liquid levels based on the hydrostatic principle, operating within a continuous measuring range of 1 to 10 meters. The device is characterized by high long-term stability and achieves a measurement accuracy of 0.5 percent. This tolerance specification ensures precise measurement data while minimizing signal drift over the operational lifespan of the equipment.

Mechanical Integrity and Leak Prevention
Constructing sensing equipment for hazardous zones requires strict ingress protection. The stainless-steel probe features a robust design that is permanently sealed to meet IP68 protection standards. An integrated, specially developed cable provides necessary strain relief, while the encapsulated cable entry adds a secondary level of structural safety. During final manufacturing inspection, every instrument undergoes a helium leak test. This testing protocol ensures the detection of microcracks and the smallest structural leaks, which is critical for maintaining safety in explosive atmospheres.

Power Consumption and Maintenance Requirements
Designed to reduce maintenance cycles and minimize total cost of ownership, the submersible pressure sensor features an optimized electrical profile for remote or off-grid locations. The device can operate using a standard 5-volt battery. Its low-power ratiometric output signal, operating between 0.5 and 4.5 volts, consumes less than 5 milliamperes. This electrical specification places a minimal continuous load on the power source, allowing the battery to function for several years without requiring replacement.

Additional Context: This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement.
Within the industrial instrumentation sector, hydrostatic level sensors deployed in hazardous areas typically rely on standard 4-20 milliampere analog outputs or digital HART protocols. While these standard outputs are widely integrated into programmable logic controllers, they demand continuous power that exceeds the capacity of small remote battery systems. The integration of a 0.5 to 4.5-volt ratiometric output drawing less than 5 milliamperes positions this sensor specifically for battery-powered remote telemetry units and wireless Industrial Internet of Things nodes. Comparable devices from manufacturers in the process automation market also offer ATEX-certified hydrostatic sensors; however, the defining metric for off-grid deployment remains the baseline current draw. By utilizing low-voltage ratiometric signals rather than standard analog current loops, operators in wastewater and petrochemical storage can deploy continuous monitoring nodes in ATEX Zone 0 environments without requiring intrinsically safe external power routing.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

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