Wireless Ultrasonic Level Measurement From HWM Ideal for Early Flood Warning Systems

MUMBAI, November 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Flooding, both predicted and sudden, has become an increasingly common phenomenon in recent years. Many suffering localities have been un- or under-prepared, with little reason to believe they were at risk until it was too late. A reliable and cost-effective advance warning system that continuously monitors rivers, storm drains and overflows for rising water levels can save lives and protect property, alerting authorities and communities to impending danger.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/HWM/hwm2812floodwarning.jpg

The SonicSens 2 battery-powered ultrasonic level and flow sensor, from specialist manufacturer HWM, offers non-contact, accurate, remote and wireless monitoring of water levels and flow rates. The ultrasonic sensor precisely measures the distance to (and therefore level of) the water surface, and can automatically send alerts to up to 16 phone numbers when the level reaches specified thresholds. When an alarm condition activates, it can also provide accelerated dial-in functionality, allowing users to quickly access detailed, relevant and timely new information when they have to.

For early flood warning systems, the device's versatile telemetry options, robust construction and long battery life make SonicSens 2 particularly well-suited: not requiring any ongoing maintenance or supporting infrastructure, it is perfect for "fit and forget" operations in hard to access locations. Once installed, it will continue to function as programmed without the need for local access, upkeep or interaction.

The system is supplied with user-friendly PC-based software that significantly speeds and eases the installation and setup process. The intelligent sensor features adjustable range settings, a variable dead band or blanking distance, self-diagnostics and an alarm condition in the event of echo loss. Intrinsically safe and ATEX versions are available for use in potentially hazardous environments, and a second channel capability (digital or analogue) allows for additional temperature, pressure (depth) or flow logging via an external device.

The SonicSens 2 includes both the intelligent ultrasonic sensor and a Multilog LX telemetry data logger, which transmits the data via SMS or low cost GPRS. Two-way connectivity enables the unit to be reprogrammed remotely without the need for expensive and time-consuming site visits - really improving convenience and cost-efficiency for hard to access locations.

New alarm conditions such as rate-of-rise have been added, which can now trigger an alert to up to 16 specified telephone numbers. When an alarm condition is activated, SonicSens 2 can provide accelerated dial-in functionality, which allows data to become rapidly available during these events. This will ensure that operators have detailed information with which to quickly assess the situation and promptly respond to changing levels.

HWM has used specifically-designed low-power electronics for the SonicSens 2 to give it a five year battery life expectancy, which is particularly useful when flow or level sensing is required in remote, hard to reach locations. A low cost extended battery pack is also available to maintain this five year battery life even when the device is transmitting data every 15 minutes.

About Halma Water Management:

Halma Water Management (HWM), a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c., is the world leader and world's largest supplier of leakage management, pressure management and flowmeter technology. HWM is comprised of four Halma companies: Palmer Environmental, Radcom Technologies, Hydreka and FSC, under a single dedicated sales and sales support network. For more information please visit the company's website at http://www.hwm-water.com/. HWM also has a press release blog with an RSS news feed at http://halmapr.com/news/hwm/.

About Halma:

Halma p.l.c. (hwww.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. Halma is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has over 4000 employees in over 40 subsidiaries worldwide with a  total turnover of over US$780m (2008). Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as manufacturing, energy, water and waste treatment, the environment, construction, transport and health.

Halma recently opened a Hub office in Mumbai. For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.

Website: www.halma.com

Primary Media Contact: Mr. Kuniyur J. Srinivasan, srini@halma.com, 91-22-67080400

Secondary Media Contact: Mr. Damian Corbet, damian.corbet@halma.com, 44-1494-789152