- AC Drives
- Industrial Communications
- PLC & I/O Cards
- Automation Accessories
- Vibration Monitoring
- Controllers & Data Acquisition
- CCTV & Security
- Safety Switches & Guard Locking
- Encoders
- Industrial Computers
- Servo Drives
- HMI Displays
- Motor Soft Starters
- Isolator & Barrier
- Pneumatic Cylinders
- Automation Software
- Machine Vision
- Robotics
Brand: VEGA
VEGA VEGAPULS Air 42 Autarkic Radar Level Sensor NB-IoT
Description
A battery-powered radar that reports levels by mobile or LoRaWAN radio
The VEGAPULS Air 42 is an autarkic radar sensor: it needs no external power or signal cable, because a lithium battery in the housing powers the 80 GHz radar and a radio module sends measured values over an NB-IoT (LTE-Cat-NB1), LTE-M (LTE-CAT-M1) or LoRaWAN network. VEGA positions it for level measurement of bulk solids and liquids in mobile silos holding dry mortar, concrete or plaster, and in liquid tanks of all kinds, as a low-cost solution that is easy to install and commission. The 4° beam and 30 m range set it apart from the Air 41, and the housing is rated IP66/IP68 (0.2 bar) for continuous outdoor use.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | VEGAPULS Air 42, autarkic radar sensor with radio transmission |
| Measuring range | Up to 30 m (98.42 ft) |
| Beam angle | 4° (product information) |
| Deviation | ≤ 2 mm (product information) |
| Measuring frequency | W-band (80 GHz technology) |
| Process fitting | Compression flange DN 80 / 3″; adapter flanges from DN 100 / 4″ |
| Process pressure | -1…+2 bar (-100…+200 kPa) |
| Process temperature | -20…+60 °C (-4…+140 °F) |
| Ambient, storage, transport | -20…+60 °C (-4…+140 °F) |
| Radio technology | NB-IoT (LTE-Cat-NB1), LTE-M (LTE-CAT-M1), LoRaWAN |
| Protection rating | IP66/IP68 (0.2 bar) acc. to IEC 60529, Type 6X acc. to NEMA |
| Power supply | Integrated exchangeable lithium primary cell(s); operating time > 10 years depending on interval and radio quality |
| Communication / adjustment | NFC and Bluetooth; app, PACTware/DTM, VEGA Inventory System |
How the radio and inventory system work
Depending on radio network availability, the sensor sends its values to an LTE-M or NB-IoT mobile network or to a plant LoRaWAN network, and the transmission or evaluation is carried out through an asset management system such as the VEGA Inventory System. Depending on the software version, parameters can be changed remotely through a backward channel, and the sensor can also be set on site through its integrated Bluetooth with a smartphone, tablet or Windows PC. Activation is by NFC or magnet on a contact surface of the housing.
Selecting and mounting
The Air 42 is the flange-mounted, 4° member of the series: compression flange DN 80 (3″) with adapter flanges from DN 100 (4″), where the Air 41 has a threaded G1½, 1½ NPT or R1½ fitting, 20 m range and an 8° beam. Mount it on a nozzle that is clear of installations, following the mounting notes in the VEGA documents. Because its battery life depends on measuring interval and network quality, define the interval with the inventory software and ask the manufacturer how roaming and local mobile coverage in your region will affect operation before ordering.
On a mobile silo the radar can be mounted on the compression flange of a standard nozzle and shifted between sites; the VEGA documents list the sensor as ready for stand-alone applications and describe activation with a magnet or NFC so the unit can be shipped switched off to preserve the battery. No approvals are listed for the series in the product information, so confirm any hazardous-area suitability with VEGA, and the radio equipment must comply with the local rules where it operates.
Documents and quotation
The official VEGA VEGAPULS Air 42 specification sheet (62982-EN, version 220601) is attached to this page for download and covers the technical data, dimensions and wiring summarised above.
Send Seven Star LLC your tag list, process medium, vessel geometry, required approvals and quantity and we will prepare a quotation from our Muscat office. We are an independent supplier; more level instrumentation is listed on our site. Confirm the final order code and approval marking with the manufacturer before ordering.
See also: VEGA VEGACAL 63 Capacitive Rod Level Probe.
Datasheets & Documents
- Datasheet VEGA VEGAPULS Air 42 Specification Sheet (62982-EN) Download
Reviews (0)
About brand
VEGA is a German maker of level and pressure instruments. Bruno Grieshaber founded the company in 1959 in Triberg in the Black Forest, and it has been based in Schiltach since 1975, still family owned as VEGA Grieshaber KG. VEGA is best known for radar level sensors: it introduced the first two-wire radar level sensor in 1997 and the first 80 GHz radar sensor for bulk solids, the VEGAPULS 69, in 2015.
Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier listing VEGA radar and guided wave radar transmitters, point level switches, pressure transmitters and signal conditioning instruments for buyers in Oman and the GCC. Sensors are matched from the product code on the type label.
VEGA at a glance
| Origin | Founded by Bruno Grieshaber in 1959 in Triberg, Germany |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Schiltach, Black Forest, Germany (since 1975) |
| Ownership | Family-owned company: VEGA Grieshaber KG |
| Milestones | First two-wire radar level sensor (1997), first 80 GHz radar for bulk solids, VEGAPULS 69 (2015), VEGAPULS 6X single radar platform for liquids and solids |
| Product families | VEGAPULS radar, VEGAFLEX guided wave radar, VEGASWING and VEGAPOINT switches, VEGACAL capacitive probes, VEGABAR and VEGADIF pressure, VEGAMET and VEGADIS signal conditioning |
VEGA sensor and instrument series
| Series | Type | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| VEGAPULS 6X, VEGAPULS 69, VEGAPULS 64 | Process radar level transmitters (80 GHz) | Storage and process tanks, reactors with agitators, silos and bulk solids |
| VEGAPULS 11, 21, 31, 42 | Compact radar sensors | Water and wastewater, simple storage tanks; VEGAPULS 42 with IO-Link for machine integration |
| VEGAPULS C 21, C 11, C 22, C 23 | Radar sensors with fixed cable, IP68 | Wet wells, pumping stations, open channels and river levels |
| VEGAFLEX 81, 82, 83, 86 | Guided wave radar (TDR) | Level and interface in liquids, bulk solids, hygienic and high-temperature or high-pressure service (VEGAFLEX 86) |
| VEGASWING 61, 63, VEGAPOINT 21 | Vibrating and capacitive point level switches | Overfill protection, dry-run protection and high or low level alarms |
| VEGACAL 62 to VEGACAL 67 | Capacitive rod and cable probes | Point and continuous level in solids and conductive or adhesive liquids |
| VEGABAR 82, 83, 28, 29, 38 | Pressure transmitters, ceramic or metallic cell | Process pressure and hydrostatic level; compact 18/19 and 28/29/38 versions for utilities |
| VEGADIF 85 | Differential pressure transmitter | DP flow, filter monitoring and level in pressurised vessels |
| VEGAMET 841, VEGADIS 176 | Controller and loop display | Level display, pump control and remote indication of 4-20 mA signals |
Where VEGA instruments are used
VEGA radar sensors measure level in crude oil and product tanks, separators, chemical reactors, cement and aggregate silos, grain stores and water reservoirs. Compact cable radars are widely used in wastewater pumping stations and flood monitoring. Because 80 GHz radar focuses a narrow beam, it can measure past internal structures in a tank, and it is not affected by the temperature, pressure or vapour above the product, which suits hot Gulf storage tanks.
Ordering VEGA instruments: what we need
The product code on the type label (for example PS64.XXXXXXX) fixes the measuring range, antenna or probe, process connection, electronics and approvals. Send it with the serial number. For a new measurement add the medium and its dielectric constant if known, tank or silo height and internals, process pressure and temperature, process connection, output (4-20 mA HART, PROFIBUS PA, Modbus or IO-Link), and any hazardous-area or overfill protection approval required.
Facts checked against VEGA company and product information, October 2026.
Browse VEGA products by category: Level Transmitter, Pressure Instrumentation, Controllers and Data Acquisition.
Related products
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the VEGAPULS Air 42 powered?
By an integrated, exchangeable lithium primary cell, with a stated operating time above 10 years depending on measuring interval and radio quality.
Which radio networks does it use?
NB-IoT (LTE-Cat-NB1), LTE-M (LTE-CAT-M1) or a plant LoRaWAN network.
What is the measuring range?
Up to 30 m with a 4° beam angle.
How is it mounted?
On a compression flange DN 80 (3"), with adapter flanges from DN 100 (4").
How is it set up?
By NFC or magnet activation and Bluetooth with a smartphone, tablet or PC; remote changes are possible via the VEGA Inventory System.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.