BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218)

A spirit level tells a person which way is down; a plant needs that answer as an electrical signal that a controller can read all day without complaint. The BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218) does exactly this job: it senses tilt on a single axis and reports it as a current output, in a compact housing made for working equipment rather than the laboratory bench.

This product is available through this page, by quotation.

Background

The company behind the BWK218

The BWK218 was designed by Bewis Sensing Technology LLC, marketed under the BWSENSING brand. The company's work centers on inclination sensing, and the BWK218 sits in its low-cost range of single-axis devices. The brand also offers digital-output relatives with Modbus or CAN interfaces, so a buyer can choose the signal type that suits the control system already installed on site.

The BWK218 takes the analog path. Current-loop signaling remains one of the most common ways of carrying a measurement through an industrial plant, because it is simple to wire, simple to scale and simple to check with a meter. The sensor was designed around that habit instead of asking the user to change it.

Positioning and key technology

At the core of the BWK218 is an industrial-grade MEMS accelerometer. A sensor of this kind measures how gravity falls across its axis, and from that the device works out an inclination angle. The result is an absolute tilt reading relative to gravity, which is what most levelling, tracking and monitoring tasks need.

The manufacturer describes the BWK218 as a low-cost single-axis inclinometer. It covers a measuring range of ±180° with a highest accuracy of 0.2° and a resolution of 0.02°. The output can be ordered as 4-20mA, 0-20mA or 0-24mA, and the supply range runs from 12 to 36V. Together these figures place the device as a practical, general-purpose tilt sensor for equipment and structures, rather than a specialist instrument with a long list of options.

Technical Specifications

Specifications as published by the manufacturer; confirmed against the datasheet at quotation.

The manufacturer has not published the cable length, the zero temperature drift, the non-linearity, the output noise density or what is in the box; they are confirmed at quotation.

What does the output option change on the BWK218?

The BWK218 is a single model with three output choices: 4-20mA, 0-20mA and 0-24mA. The choice matters because it decides how your controller reads the angle. The zero-point current is 12 for the 4-20 and 0-24 versions and 10 for the 0-20 version, as the manufacturer lists it. Check this against the input card or logger you plan to use before ordering, so that scaling in the PLC matches the sensor from the first day.

The 4-20mA choice is the one most plants already know. Because its lower end is not zero, a controller can tell a measurement at the bottom of the range from a broken loop. The other two ranges suit systems whose inputs were set up around a zero start. When you request a quotation, state the output range that your equipment expects and it will be confirmed with the order.

How does the BWK218 compare with a dual-axis or digital inclinometer?

The BWK218 measures one axis. If a structure tilts in two directions and both must be watched, a dual-axis device such as the BWSENSING Cost-Effective Dual-Axis Inclinometer (BWM427) may suit better. If your control system works with digital communication rather than a current loop, the BWSENSING Cost-Effective Single-Axis CAN Output Inclinometer (BWM415) and the BWSENSING Cost-Effective Single-Axis Digital Output With Modbus Inclinometer (BWM417) are the single-axis alternatives on this site.

What the BWK218 offers in return is directness. A current loop needs no protocol setup, no addressing and no software on the sensor side. For a site with an existing analog input card, that simplicity is often the deciding point. You can browse related devices in the Sensors category.

Who is the BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218) for?

Integrators and panel builders who work with PLCs and analog inputs will find the BWK218 familiar. It delivers an angle as a current, so no new bus has to be introduced into a working system.

Solar installers and tracker manufacturers can use it for photovoltaic automatic tracking, where the angle of a panel row must be known in order to position it. Operators of towers and similar structures can use it for tilt monitoring, with a reading that a remote station can collect over ordinary wiring.

Makers of lifting equipment, industrial converters, medical instruments and oil drilling equipment are also named by the manufacturer among the applications. Buyers whose projects need two axes or a digital interface should look at the sibling models linked above instead.

The IP67 protection level and the working temperature of -40℃~+85℃ suit installations outdoors or in rough conditions, which is common for work around the Caribbean, where sun, salt air and rain are part of daily operation. Whether a given mounting position and enclosure arrangement is adequate for a coastal site should be discussed with us when you request a quotation.

What is the BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218) used for?

1. Industrial automatic leveling. Reads the tilt of a platform or machine so a control system can bring it level.
2. Medical instruments. Provides an angle signal for equipment whose position must be known.
3. Photovoltaic automatic tracking. Reports panel angle so a tracker can follow the sun.
4. Tower tilt monitoring. Watches the inclination of a tall structure over time.
5. Oil drilling equipment and special valves. Gives angle feedback in demanding mechanical settings.
6. Industrial converters and lifting equipment. Supports inclination control where the angle of a load or arm matters.

Pricing and Availability

We do not print prices on this page. A quotation is the way to proceed: tell us the output range you need and the quantity, and we will respond with the details. Delivery, customs and support are arranged together with the quotation. The BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218) is available on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What angle range does the BWK218 measure?

The measuring range is ±180° on a single axis. The highest accuracy is 0.2° and the resolution is 0.02°.

Which output signals are offered?

The output is 4-20mA, 0-20mA or 0-24mA, selected as an option. The zero-point current is 12 for 4-20 and 0-24, and 10 for 0-20.

What supply voltage does it need?

The power supply range is 12-36V.

Is the BWK218 suitable for outdoor use?

It carries an IP67 protection level and a working temperature of -40℃~+85℃. Confirm the exact installation conditions with us when you request a quotation.

How large is the sensor and how much does it weigh?

The size is L90*W40.5*H26 (mm). The weight is given as 230 without package.

Can it withstand shock?

The manufacturer states an impact resistance of 2000g, 0.5ms, 3 times/axis. EMC is stated as according to GBT17626.

Where can I buy the BWSENSING Inclinometer (BWK218) and what does it cost?

You can buy it through this page, by quotation. Send us your request and the cost will be given in the quotation, together with delivery and support arrangements.

Summary

Where a person would glance at a level, a plant needs a number, and a current loop carries that number through the wiring it already has. The BWK218 offers a ±180° range, 0.2° highest accuracy, 0.02° resolution, an IP67 rating and a choice of three current outputs in a compact housing. It suits leveling, solar tracking, tower monitoring and similar work, and the sibling models cover two-axis and digital needs. To go further, this page is the starting point.