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Both radar and ultrasonic level sensors mount on top of a vessel, emit a signal downward, and time the echo off the material surface — but radar sends electromagnetic waves while ultrasonic sends sound. That single difference decides most selections: radar tolerates steam, vapour, foam, dust, pressure and temperature variation far better, because microwaves are barely slowed or scattered by the atmosphere; ultrasonic is the economical non-contact choice for simple water-like liquids and clean air, but sound speed varies with temperature and the acoustic path suffers in vapour, foam and heavy dust. Radar also handles longer ranges. KJT Sensors supplies radar level transmitters (with some products supporting millisecond response, IO-Link, IP67/IP68 and ranges up to 20 m or higher — manufacturer-stated) and ultrasonic sensors (U18/U30 series with blind zones and ranges confirmed per model). Check the blind/dead zone at the top of every vessel before choosing either.
Same method, different wave: both are non-contact time-of-flight echo sensors; radar uses electromagnetic waves, ultrasonic uses sound. The wave is what the atmosphere attacks or spares.
Atmosphere decides: steam, vapour, foam and dust degrade the acoustic path — ultrasonic's weakness and the documented reason radar holds "stronger interference capability in complex operating conditions" (manufacturer-stated).
Every sensor has a blind zone: the region near the transducer where no measurement is possible. Vessel top space, maximum fill height and mounting nozzle length must clear it — a per-model number.
Radar anchors (manufacturer-stated): millimetre-wave products including radar level transmitters; some products up to 20 m or higher range, millisecond response, IO-Link, 4–20 mA / NPN/PNP outputs, IP67/IP68.
Ultrasonic anchors (manufacturer-stated): U18/U30 series; measurement not dependent on target colour or transparency; temperature compensation, blind zone, steam/bubble/dust sensitivity to be evaluated per application.
Difficult media selection (foam, condensation, dust as the primary question) has its own guide ({{URL_E07}}); false echoes and unstable readings have their own diagnoses ({{URL_T04}}, {{URL_T17}}).
A radar level transmitter emits microwaves downward; the material surface reflects them; the sensor converts round-trip time into level. Because the signal is electromagnetic, propagation is essentially unaffected by air temperature, pressure, vapour or dust between the antenna and the surface. KJT Sensors' radar direction covers micro-radar, radar level transmitters, smart radar material-level products and collision-avoidance radar, with products realized in frequency bands including 24 GHz, 80 GHz and 125 GHz (manufacturer-stated, Radar Sensors).
The manufacturer's own positioning for level duty: radar level transmitters "use radar waves to measure, with stronger interference capability in complex operating conditions such as steam, bubble, dust" (manufacturer-stated) — the exact conditions that trouble ultrasonic sensing.
An ultrasonic sensor emits an acoustic pulse above 20 kHz and times the echo. Sound works well off liquid and solid surfaces — the liquid/solid interface gives a clear reflection, making top-mounted ultrasonic a standard level method for tanks, pools and silos. But sound speed varies with gas temperature (hence temperature compensation), and the acoustic path is degraded by steam, foam, dust, turbulence and strong airflow (manufacturer-stated, Measuring Sensors).
KJT Sensors' ultrasonic line includes the U18 and U30 series with multiple measuring ranges, double-sheet detection variants, digital displays and different housing sizes; the measuring range, blind zone, output type and accuracy are confirmed for the specific model (manufacturer-stated).
