Ultrasonic level and depth sensor 3S-SDS

snow depthrelay outputs4-20 mA

Product Overview
The 3S-SDS ultrasonic snow depth sensor provides continuous, non-contact measurement of snow depth for outdoor installations. Designed for low maintenance and long-term stability, it supplies reliable distance data for environmental monitoring, road safety, aviation, PV plant management and agricultural applications.

Technical Specifications

• Item Code: 3S-SDS
• Measurement range: 5–10 m (optional up to 40 m)
• Accuracy: 0.3% F.S.
• Resolution: 1 mm
• Frequency: 20–350 kHz
• Output options: RS485, 4–20 mA, Relay (optional 1–5 V / 1–10 V / NPN)
• Power supply: 3.7–32 V DC
• Power consumption: < 1.5 W
• Operating temperature: -20°C to +70°C
• Humidity: 0–95% RH (non-condensing)
• Protection class: IP65
• Materials: PVDF, ABS
• Display: OLED

Main Features

• Wide input voltage: 3.7–32 V DC
• Backup and recovery of parameter settings
• Adjustable analog output range
• Configurable filtering for stable readings in noisy environments
• Customizable serial data format
• Optional incremental/differential distance measurement modes for air gap or liquid level monitoring
• Selectable transmitted pulse intensity (1–15 levels) based on operating conditions

Why It Is Suitable for Field Use
The 3S-SDS is built for outdoor use with a waterproof IP65 enclosure and corrosion-resistant materials. Its non-contact measurement principle eliminates wear, and configurable outputs ensure straightforward integration with SCADA, telemetry or data loggers. Built-in filtering and adjustable pulse intensity improve measurement stability under variable weather and surface conditions.

Typical Applications

• Meteorological stations
• Environmental and site monitoring systems
• Road traffic and winter maintenance monitoring
• Aerodrome and aviation surface monitoring
• PV plant snow detection and performance monitoring
• Agricultural field monitoring and outdoor industrial applications

How It Works
The sensor emits ultrasonic pulses toward the surface and measures the time-of-flight of echoes to calculate distance. As snow accumulates, the measured distance decreases and software derives snow depth from the change. The non-contact method avoids mechanical wear and supports long-term, low-maintenance operation.