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The CRUZOE sensor is a airborne sensor sensor using radar technology. Its primary use is to measure and monitor the height of stable or moving liquids: in the vast majority of applications, it is used to measure water levels.
The CRUZOE radar sensor is designed specifically for use in outdoor environments.
The CRUZOE is chosen above all for its measurement range: it has a measurement range of 30m and a MODBUS communication protocol, particularly suitable for use in rivers.
The main advantages of the CRUZOE sensor are its compact height, automatic levelling and low power consumption: in a remote location with no power supply, 2 seconds of power are enough to obtain a measurement.
The CRUZOE radar sensor can be used in a variety of applications: river measurement, sewage, tanks, etc.
The most common application is river measurement, either under a bridge or on a jib. The automatic levelling system of the CRUZOE, allowing the correction of up to 10° of misalignment, is particularly interesting for use under a bridge. This allows the use of a bracket system that is easy to lower and raise. In addition to avoiding the need for a rope operator, this feature also allows for easy fine tuning of the product without the need for a spirit level.
Horizontality is crucial because if the radar sensor is not positioned correctly, the radar wave will not propagate perpendicularly to the liquid and at best the measurement will be distorted, at worst the wave will propagate further and the sensor will not perform any measurement. Opting for a CRUZOE radar sensor PARATRONIC avoids these problems.
The factory setting of the CRUZOE sensor allows you to use it directly by connecting it to the acquisition of your choice (acquisition station or data logger integrating the basic functionalities for hydrological measurement) without any additional parameterization.
However, if you want to change the settings, for example to get a level measurement instead of an air draft, you can set it up as you like using ADP USB adapter and our free software HMI Sensors (which you can download for free from our website).
As a reminder, the air draft is the distance between the water surface and the sensor, while the water level is the distance between the water bottom and the surface.
Both data have their uses, depending on the practices in your sector. It may also be a question of setting: by default, our systems are set to air draft, so working with this value means you don't have to re-set the sensor and acquisition.
The most appropriate acquisition for the CRUZOE sensor is our LNS stationwhich has a MODBUS input. Indeed, most of our loggers like the MAC work with other communication protocols. If you prefer a solution that communicates in 4-20mA, we recommend another radar sensor model, the CR420.
The CRUZOE radar sensor can also be connected to a TBRS The CRUZOE radar sensor can also be connected to a radio transceiver that operates on solar energy. This installation, particularly used in hydrometry, makes it possible to deport the measurement and bring it back to the acquisition centre. Opting for a TBRS means that you do not have to connect your systems via cables. This may be necessary on bridges, for example: in France, bridges are subject to numerous standards. Most bridges cannot be drilled, for structural and aesthetic reasons. It is therefore impossible to install a cable tray.
Both sensors work with radar technology. The main differences between the two products lie in their applications and communication protocols.
The communication protocol of the CRUZOE, the MODBUS, transmits several pieces of information: the measurement itself (water level), the quality of the signal, the average measurement at 4 seconds and at 16 seconds... On the other hand, the protocol of CR420protocol, a 4-20Ma signal, transmits only one information: the measurement.
The measurement ranges are also different: the CRUZOE radar has a measurement range of 30m (i.e. a maximum air draught of 30m) while the CR420 has measurement ranges of 6, 10 and 12m.
A simple 12 volt power supply is used to power the sensor and its short warm-up time allows it to work on sites without power
The CRUZOE sensor works with radar technology, so compared to piezometric sensors for example, it requires no maintenance. Indeed, piezometric probes can undergo a slight mechanical deformation over time, which causes a drift in the measurement; radar sensors do not have a mechanical cell, so they have no reason to vary over time.
This sensor does not require any particular checks either. In absolute terms, you can go and check that it is always perfectly horizontal (the automatic system can be disrupted by a shock or contact with a logjam), or wipe away any spider webs under its surface.
However, when used in a storm overflow, the sensor may become dirty, which will require a more careful cleaning.
There are as many possible applications as there are needs related to water level measurement. In rivers, for example, the CRUZOE sensor will allow you to monitor the river over the long term, to issue alerts in the event of flooding, to monitor low water levels and water shortages...
The CRUZOE is ideal for measuring high water levels, which is particularly relevant for flood monitoring.
However, the sensor becomes less accurate the further away the measured height is from it, making it less suitable for low water monitoring. It is perfectly capable of detecting low water, but if you want to obtain a low water measurement to the nearest millimetre, we advise you to opt for another technology. Our sales representatives will visit your site to assess the most appropriate technology for your use and the corresponding PARATRONIC product range. For low water level, we recommend the use of a piezometric sensor, and more particularly the SNA sensor.
The CRUZOE radar sensor is guaranteed for 2 years, including lightning risks (their native immunity to overvoltage makes them perfectly resistant to lightning strikes).
PARATRONIC's after-sales service is carried out in France and within a very short time. Our efficient service is supported by our expertise and our dedicated contacts.
Like most of our products, the CRUZOE radar sensor is manufactured here in France, in our factory in Reyrieux. It was also designed and made reliable at PARATRONIC in Reyrieux.
Didn't our FAQ answer all your questions? Do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
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