Liquid level gauge based in plastic optical fiber

•Development and testing of a low cost plastic optical fiber liquid level sensor.•Possible operation within highly flammable or other hazardous environments.•The sensor consists on a plastic optical fiber, with engraved grooves.•A variation of 2.60% in the transmitted optical power intensity was obtained per measured point.•The sensor sensitivity and resolution can be tailored accordingly to the application.

This work reports de development and testing of a low cost plastic optical fiber liquid level sensor for operation within highly flammable or other hazardous environments, such in oil piping or fuel tanks. The sensor consists on a vertical fiber, with engraved grooves, that will be sequentially fulfill when the liquid rises, resulting in an increase of the transmitted optical power. A variation of 2.60% in the transmitted optical power intensity was obtained per measured point. Moreover, the sensor sensitivity and resolution can be tailored accordingly to the application.