Hydrostatic Level Sensors

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A hydrostatic level sensor reads level from the pressure of the liquid column above it: the deeper the liquid, the higher the pressure, following P = rho g h. It is simple, accurate and unbothered by foam, vapor or tank shape. Instranova builds submersible and flush-mounted versions for tanks, wells, sumps and corrosive service. Pick by where it mounts and what it touches; the pages below give real specifications and a quote checklist.

Our hydrostatic and submersible level sensors

A flush transmitter mounts at the tank bottom; a submersible probe drops in on a cable. Wetted material and cable length follow the medium and the depth.

Choosing a hydrostatic level sensor

Start with where it mounts and what it touches, then the depth.

Your job	Pick	Why
General tank or basin, flush or submersible	Hydrostatic Level Transmitter	Versatile P = rho g h for clean media
Open sump, lift station, water tank	Stainless Submersible	Drop-in probe, vented cable, easy install
Acid, caustic or sewage	Anti-corrosive Submersible	Fluoropolymer wetted parts resist attack
Borehole or deep well, hundreds of meters	Deep Well Water Level	Slim body and long cable for narrow casing
Sealed or pressurized vessel	Hydrostatic Pressure Transmitter	Flush diaphragm reads level at the bottom

Hydrostatic needs a known liquid density and a wetted probe. Where the medium foams or coats, or you prefer non-contact, compare with a radar or ultrasonic sensor.

FAQ

What is a hydrostatic level sensor?

A hydrostatic level sensor measures liquid level from the pressure that the liquid column exerts at the bottom. That pressure equals density times gravity times height, so dividing the measured pressure by the known density and gravity gives the level directly. The sensor sits at or near the bottom, either flush in the wall or submerged on a cable.

What is the main advantage of hydrostatic level sensing?

It reads the true liquid head regardless of the headspace, so foam, vapor, dust and an irregular tank shape do not fool it the way they can fool a sound or microwave beam. The hardware is simple and accurate, and a submersible probe installs in minutes in a sump or well without cutting into the tank.

What is a disadvantage of a hydrostatic level sensor?

It depends on a known, stable liquid density, so a changing specific gravity shifts the reading, and because it is a contact device the diaphragm can coat or corrode in aggressive media. A vented cable or vent must keep the back of the cell at atmosphere; in a sealed vessel a differential or flush transmitter is used instead.

Request a quote

Quote checklist, send these five points: flush or submersible mounting; the level range and the medium with its density; the wetted material needed; the cable length for a submersible probe; and whether you need a hazardous-area rating. Tell us the application and we configure one unit, not a shelf part.

Written and technically reviewed by the Instranova engineering team, last reviewed 2026-06-21 (AI-assisted drafting). Based on the Instranova hydrostatic and submersible level datasheets plus field experience in water, wastewater and chemical service. Questions? Reach our application engineers.