Type of Dipsticks
About Types of Dipsticks
Ordinary dipstick
The ordinary dipstick is perhaps the
simplest and cheapest device available for measuring liquid level. It
consists of a metal bar, on which a scale is etched, which is fixed at a
known position in the liquid-containing vessel. A level measurement is
made by removing the instrument from the vessel and reading off how far
up the scale the liquid has wetted. As a human operator is required to
remove and read the dipstick, this method is limited to use in
relatively small and shallow vessels.
Optical Dipstick
The optical dipstick allows a reading to
be obtained without removing the dipstick from the vessel, and so is
applicable to larger, deeper tanks. light from a source is reflected
from a mirror, passes round the chamfered end of the dipstick, and
enters a light detector after reflection by a second mirror. When the
chamfered end comes into contact with liquid, its internal reflection
properties are altered and light no longer enters the detector. By using
a suitable mechanical drive system to move the instrument up and down
and measure its position, the liquid level can be monitored.

More Level Measurements
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