Flowline LU77 Operating Manual

EchoSwitch®

Ultrasonic Liquid Switch and Transmitter

LU77 Series Quick Start

©2019 Flowline, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Made in USA

Flowline, Inc. | 10500 Humbolt Street, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 p 562.598.3015 f 562.431.8507 w flowline.com QS300284 Rev B

WELCOME TO THE ECHOSWITCH® QUICK START

The EchoSwitch® Quick Start provides basic mounting, setup and use instructions for getting the
EchoSwitch
not addressed here, please refer to the EchoSwitch

®

up and running quickly. If you have a non-standard installation or setup requirement that is

®

Manual or other support documentation located at

flowline.com.

WE DO YOUR LEVEL BEST

Thank you for purchasing EchoSwitch®. The sensor provides integrated LCD and three push-button
configuration. This quick start includes everything you’ll need to get the sensor up and running.

COMPONENTS

Depending on how the sensor part number that was shipped, EchoSwitch® comes with a Viton® gasket for
installation and the Quick Start.

®

ENCLOSURE

ECHOSWITCH

LU77-5004 & LU77-5064

Viton® gasket (1”)

P/N: 200128

While the switch housing is liquid-resistant the EchoSwitch® is not designed to be operational when immersed.
It should be mounted in such a way that the enclosure and transducer do not come into contact with the
application media under normal operational conditions. The enclosure has a flip cover with dual 1/2” NPT
female conduit ports and an internal terminal strip for wiring. Before closing the enclosure, make sure that the
enclosure gasket is properly seated, and that any conduit fittings, cable connectors or plugs are installed
correctly and sealed. Note: If using the Flowline LM90-1001 (liquid tight fitting) on the ½” conduit, the cable
minimum is 0.170” (4.3mm) and the maximum is 0.450” (11.4mm).

| 2 QS300284 Rev B

MOUNTING THE ECHOSWITCH®

The sensor should always be mounted perpendicular to the liquid surface using the provided Viton® mounting
gasket. Insure that there are no restrictions or obstacles in the path of the acoustic signal. For further

®

mounting information, please refer to the EchoSwitch

®

EchoSwitch

has 1” NPT or G threads and requires care in fitting selection and mounting to reduce any coupling

manual at www.flowline.com.

of the ultrasonic signal to the mounting structure. The below fittings are recommended.

Installation in existing 2” fittings:

1) Use a LM52-1800 2” thread x 1” thread adapter. Adapters with an air gap
around the 1 inch threads are recommended.

Installation in plastic tanks (use one of the following):

1) Use a 1” bulkhead fitting, such as the LM52-1890 bulkhead fitting.

2) Use a larger bulkhead fitting, such as the LM52-2890 with a reducer
bushing such as the LM52-1800.

3) Weld a plastic 1” half coupling to the tank top.

Installation in metal tanks (use one of the following):

1) Use the LM52-1890 bulkhead fittings or similar plastic fitting.

2) Use a flange with a 1” riser, such as the LM52-1850 (where the thread is

above the plane of the flange). Do not use a blind flange with a tapped
1” thread.

3) Use a larger flange or bulkhead fitting with a 2” thread and add a reducer
bushing such as the LM52-1800.

Note: While installations directly into a 1”metal fitting are not recommended,
acceptable results may be obtained if the 1” fitting is a half coupling in form
and the outer diameter of the coupler is tightly wrapped with vinyl tape.

LM52-1400

LM52-2890

LM52-1850

Installation in open tanks and sumps:

1) Use Flowline's LM50-1001-1 Side Mount Bracket.

Note: The Side Mount Bracket (LM50 series) is not designed for use with

LM50-1001-1

stand pipes or as a method to secure stand pipes. There are too few threads
to properly hold the sensor and the stand pipe.

Mounting in Riser:

As installations with tall, narrow risers can impede the acoustic signal. 2"
diameter risers should be no taller than 4". Larger diameter risers should be
no taller than 12". For best results, follow a 2:1 Height to Inner Diameter ratio
(example: 8” High to 4” Inner Diameter).

QS300284 Rev B 3 |

IMPORTANT MOUNTING GUIDELINES

®

1) Never mount the sensor at an angle.

2) Liquid should never enter the dead band.

3) Mount at least 2” from the side wall.

4) Never mount the sensor in a vacuum.

5) Do not obstruct the sensor’s beam width.

6) Do not install in the center of a dome top tank.

Mounting with a Stand-Pipe:

A stand-pipe may be used to dampen turbulence, separate surface foam from the point of measurement or
increase performance in heavy vapor. When mounting the sensor in a stand-pipe, the minimum diameter of the
pipe is 2”. Larger diameter pipes can be used. The pipe should be attached with a coupling or tank adapter and
reducer bushing. Avoid the use of multiple pipe fittings when possible. An ideal mount would be to select a 2”
tank adapter (S x T or S x S) and connect the pipe to the inside slip and use a reducer bushing to attach the
sensor (see example below).

The pipe length should run the measurement span and the bottom of the pipe should remain submerged at all
times to prevent foam from entering the pipe. Cut the bottom end of the pipe at 45° and drill a 1/4” pressure
equalization hole within the sensor’s dead band. Locate the stand-pipe away from pump outlets and/or other
sources of substantial turbulence which might cause the liquid in the pipe to oscillate.

EchoSwitch
LU77

2” x 1” (T x T)
Reducer Bushing

2” Coupling
(S x T)

Vent Hole (1/4”)

2” PVC Pipe

Stand-Pipe Example

LU77 attached to a LM52­1400 (2”x1” reducer bushing)

Stand-Pipe Mounting

to a SxT 2” Coupling.

| 4 QS300284 Rev B

WIRING THE ECHOSWITCH®

The following wiring diagram can be used when wiring to the EchoSwitch® relays.

Note: All three relays share the COM terminal. Relay 1 has both a NO and NC terminal while Relays 2 and 3
have just a NO terminal.

Note: – Isolate power to instrument from power to load (pumps, etc.) as much as possible by running power to
the sensor directly from main power source.

The following wiring diagrams can be used for the 4-20 mA output of the EchoSwitch

®

.

Notes on Safety

Where personal safety or significant property damage can occur due to a spill, the installation must have a
redundant backup safety system installed.

 Wiring should always be completed by a licensed electrician.

 The sensor must be chemically compatible with the application.

 Design a fail-safe system for possible sensor and/or power failure.

 Never use the sensor in classified hazardous environments.

QS300284 Rev B 5 |

CONFIGURE THE SENSOR

EchoSwitch® can be configured before installation. The switch features non-volatile memory, so the set points
configured before installation will not be lost when the switch is powered down. To start, all you need is the
following information:

Basic Tank Information

 HEIGHT – Distance from the transducer face to the

bottom of the tank.

 FILL-H – Maximum fill height of the liquid from the

bottom of the tank.

Set Points (Relays):

 You will need the measured distance from the bottom of

the tank to each set point.

 Pump and Valve operations will have two set points,

one for ON and the other for OFF.

 These values will all be in the same unit of

measurement (inches, centimeters, feet or meters) and
will all be measured from the bottom of the tank.

Power:

 Provide input power to the EchoSwitch

TOP-LEVEL MENU

®

.

Note: The Height and Fill Height settings
also determine the 4 to 20 mA current
span. The Height setting determines the
4mA position and the Fill-H setting
determines the 20 mA position.

The sensor is configured with the three buttons on the sensor face (UP,
DOWN and SELECT) and the sensor’s LCD. To access the sensor’s Top-level

menu, simply hold down the SELECT button for five seconds. The display
menu will automatically begin to scroll through the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

When the menu scrolls to an item you wish to configure, simply press the
SELECT button to choose that item. The TOP-LEVEL MENU will continue to
scroll through the following (UNITS – TANK – RELAY 1 – RELAY 2 – RELAY
3 – SAFE – (MPLEX) - HELP – RUN), so if you miss your selection, it will
appear again shortly.

 To return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU, press SELECT when EXIT appears.

 To return to Operational Mode of the sensor, press SELECT when RUN appears in the TOP-LEVEL

MENU.

Note: To speed up the scrolling of the values on the display, hold down the SELECT button while holding
down the UP or DOWN buttons.

| 6 QS300284 Rev B

SET UNITS

The EchoSwitch® displays information in the following units: inches, feet, centimeters, meters or percentage.
The value shown on the display represents the amount of liquid in the tank.

1) Press & hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP-LEVEL

MENU.

2) Select UNITS.

3) Select the type of units by pressing SELECT.

4) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

5) Select RUN to return to Operational Mode.

SET HEIGHT AND FILL HEIGHT

This setting customizes the reading for your installation. Follow these instructions to set the height and fill
height for your tank:

1) Press & hold SELECT for 5 seconds to
enter TOP-LEVEL MENU.

2) Select TANK.

3) Select HEIGHT.

4) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the
height of your tank. To enter value, press
and hold SELECT for 2 seconds and
release. SAVED will display.

5) Select FILL-H.

6) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the fill height of your tank. To enter value, press and hold SELECT
for 2 seconds and release. SAVED will display.

7) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

8) Select RUN to return to Operational Mode.

Note: The Height and Fill Height settings also determine the 4 to 20 mA current span. The Height setting
determines the 4mA position and the Fill-H setting determines the 20 mA position.

QS300284 Rev B 7 |

SET A HIGH ALARM RELAY

A high alarm relay will notify you when the tank level reaches a preset high level:

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP-LEVEL
MENU.

2) Select RELAY1, RELAY2 or RELAY3.

3) Select ALARM.

4) Select HIGH (SAVED appears).

5) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the HIGH (ON) set
point for the relay. To enter value, press and hold SELECT
for 2 seconds and release. SAVED will display.

6) Select HYSTER (Hysteresis).

7) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the HYSTER (OFF) set
point. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds
and release. SAVED will display.

8) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

SET A LOW ALARM RELAY

A low alarm relay will notify you when the tank level reaches a preset low level:

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP-LEVEL
MENU.

2) Select RELAY1, RELAY2 or RELAY3.

3) Select ALARM.

4) Select LOW (SAVED appears).

5) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the LOW (ON) set point
for the relay. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2
seconds and release. SAVED will display.

6) Select HYSTER (hysteresis).

7) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the HYSTER (OFF) set
point. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds
and release. SAVED will display.

8) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

| 8 QS300284 Rev B

FILL A TANK WITH A PUMP OR VALVE

The relays can also be used to automatically fill a tank when the level inside drops too low. To set the sensor
to automatically fill a tank:

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP­LEVEL MENU.

2) Select RELAY1, RELAY2 or RELAY3.

3) Select PUMP or VALVE (SAVED appears).

4) Select FILL (SAVED appears).

5) Select ON.

6) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the ON set point
for the relay. This is the lower of the two set points. To
enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds and
release. SAVED will display.

7) Select OFF.

8) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the OFF set point
for the relay. This is the higher of the two set points. To
enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds and
release. SAVED will display.

If you wish to add a delay when the pump starts, continue to
step 9. Otherwise, select EXIT to return to the top-level
menu.

9) Select DELAY.

10) Using the UP and DOWN buttons, set the DELAY time in
seconds. This pump delay can range from 0 to 600
seconds. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2
seconds and release. SAVED will display.

11) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

QS300284 Rev B 9 |

EMPTY A TANK WITH A PUMP OR VALVE

The relays can also be used to automatically empty a tank when the level inside gets too high. To set the
sensor to automatically empty a tank:

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP­LEVEL MENU.

2) Select RELAY1, RELAY2 or RELAY3.

3) Select PUMP or VALVE (SAVED appears).

4) Select EMPTY (SAVED appears).

5) Select ON.

6) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the ON set point
for the relay. This is the higher of the two set points. To
enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds and
release. SAVED will display.

7) Select OFF.

8) Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the OFF set point
for the relay. This is the lower of the two set points. To
enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2 seconds and
release. SAVED will display.

If you wish to add a delay when the pump starts, continue to
step 9. Otherwise, select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL
MENU.

9) Select DELAY.

10) Using the UP and DOWN buttons, set the DELAY time in
seconds. This pump delay can range from 0 to 600
seconds. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2
seconds and release. SAVED will display.

11) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

| 10 QS300284 Rev B

SELECT RELAY FAIL SAFETY OUTPUT / LOST

In the event the sensor does not receive an echo, the Fail Safety Output or LOST setting can be set to turn
each relay ON, OFF or HOLD (to last state) to achieve the desired fail-safe condition. During fail-safe, the
display will read LOST.

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP-LEVEL MENU.

2) Select SAFE.

3) Select R1 (relay 1), R2 (relay 2) or R3 (relay 3).

4) Select an output option, such as ON, OFF, or HOLD. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2

seconds and release. SAVED will display.

5) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

POWER OUTAGE

If power to the EchoSwitch® is removed (intentionally or accidentally), the relays will return to the normal state.
Thus, in Relay 1, NC terminal will be closed and NO terminal will be open. Also, the NO terminals in relays 2
and 3 will also be open. Make sure that the de-energized state is the safe state in your system design. The
EchoSwitch® does use non-volatile memory so any power loss will not affect the settings or configuration of
the sensor.

Select Fail-Safe Current Output / LOST: In the event the sensor does not receive an echo, the Fail-Safe
Current Output or LOST setting can be set to output a current of 4mA, 21mA or HOLD (last known value).
During fail-safe, the display will read LOST.

1) Press and hold SELECT for 5 seconds to enter TOP-LEVEL MENU.

2) Select SAFE.

3) Select OUTPUT.

4) Select an output option, such as 4mA, 21mA, or HOLD. To enter value, press and hold SELECT for 2

seconds and release. SAVED will display.

5) Select EXIT to return to the TOP-LEVEL MENU.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you face any issues not addressed in this Quick Start, please refer to the EchoSwitch® Manual located on
Flowline’s website at www.flowline.com.

Information on how to set a LOW or HIGH alarm, as well as how to FILL or EMPTY a tank with a pump, can
also be found in the EchoSwitch® Manual located on Flowline’s website at www.flowline.com.

QS300284 Rev B 11 |

WARRANTY

Flowline warrants to the original purchaser of its products that such products will be free from defects in
material and workmanship under normal use and service in accordance with instructions furnished by Flowline
for a period of two years from the date of manufacture of such products. Flowline's obligation under this
warranty is solely and exclusively limited to the repair or replacement, at Flowline's option, of the products or
components, which Flowline's examination determines to its satisfaction to be defective in material or
workmanship within the warranty period. Flowline must be notified pursuant to the instructions below of any
claim under this warranty within thirty (30) days of any claimed lack of conformity of the product. Any product
repaired under this warranty will be warranted only for the remainder of the original warranty period. Any
product provided as a replacement under this warranty will be warranted for the full two years from the date of
manufacture.

RETURNS

Products cannot be returned to Flowline without Flowline's prior authorization. To return a product that is
thought to be defective, go to flowline.com, and submit a customer return (MRA) request form and follow the
instructions therein. All warranty and non-warranty product returns to Flowline must be shipped prepaid and
insured. Flowline will not be responsible for any products lost or damaged in shipment.

LIMITATIONS

This warranty does not apply to products which: 1) are beyond the warranty period or are products for which
the original purchaser does not follow the warranty procedures outlined above; 2) have been subjected to
electrical, mechanical or chemical damage due to improper, accidental or negligent use; 3) have been modified
or altered; 4) anyone other than service personnel authorized by Flowline have attempted to repair; 5) have
been involved in accidents or natural disasters; or 6) are damaged during return shipment to Flowline. Flowline
reserves the right to unilaterally waive this warranty and dispose of any product returned to Flowline where: 1)
there is evidence of a potentially hazardous material present with the product; or 2) the product has remained
unclaimed at Flowline for more than 30 days after Flowline has dutifully requested disposition. This warranty
contains the sole express warranty made by Flowline in connection with its products. ALL IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. The remedies of repair or
replacement as stated above are the exclusive remedies for the breach of this warranty. IN NO EVENT SHALL
FLOWLINE BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND
INCLUDING PERSONAL OR REAL PROPERTY OR FOR INJURY TO ANY PERSON. THIS WARRANTY
CONSTITUTES THE FINAL, COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF WARRANTY TERMS AND NO
PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY OTHER WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS ON BEHALF
OF FLOWLINE. This warranty will be interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of California. If any portion
of this warranty is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such finding will not invalidate any other
provision of this warranty.

For complete product documentation, video training, and technical support, go to flowline.com.

For phone support, call 562-598-3015 from 8am to 5pm PST, Mon - Fri.

(Please make sure you have the Part and Serial number available.)

| 12 QS300284 Rev B