EDR-8010 Series

Common issues

• Antenna/horn fouling from product residue, vapour condensation or icing, causing signal loss or false echoes
• False echoes from tank internal obstructions (ladders, heating coils, agitators) being read as level
• Stilling well/still-pipe blockage or corrosion where the gauge is bypipe-mounted, causing erratic readings
• Cable/connector corrosion at the tank penetration causing intermittent signal or communication loss
• Low cargo dielectric constant reducing usable signal strength, more pronounced for low-dielectric cargoes
• Loss of communication with the cargo control system from bus/wiring faults
• Calibration drift over time versus a manual dip/ullage reference

Inspection checklist

• Cross-check the radar reading against a manual ullage/dip measurement at a fixed interval
• Inspect the antenna/horn for fouling, residue buildup or physical damage where accessible
• Check the tank penetration gland/seal for gas-tightness and corrosion - critical for cargo tank integrity
• Verify power supply and signal cable condition and terminations
• Check the communication link to the cargo control/level monitoring system
• Confirm the high-level/overfill alarm functions correctly and independently of the primary gauge
• Review calibration/verification records against class and flag state requirements for cargo tank gauging

Service intervals

Critical spares

• Signal cable/connector kit for the tank penetration
• Antenna/horn assembly, if a field-replaceable design
• Local display/transmitter unit
• Power supply/transmitter power module
• Mounting flange gasket for the tank penetration

Safety

• The gauge penetrates the cargo tank boundary - any seal or gland work must follow the vessel's enclosed space and gas-freeing/hot work procedures
• Level gauging failure can contribute to tank overfill - the independent high-level/overfill alarm is a primary safety layer, not an optional backup
• Electrical work on tank-mounted equipment must respect the hazardous area (Ex) rating of the installation

Class survey

Cargo tank level gauges on tankers/gas carriers are checked at survey against the independent high-level/overfill alarm requirement; class wants calibration records and confirmation that the primary gauge and the independent alarm are functionally separate.