LO-300, Laser Scanning Oil Film Detector, HORIBA

The LO-300 is HORIBA's laser scanning oil film detector for continuous, non-contact detection of floating oil films on water surfaces and liquid films on floor surfaces. It operates by scanning the monitored surface with a semiconductor laser beam (650 nm, Class 2, <1 mW) via an oscillating mirror at approximately 50 kHz modulation frequency. Oil films produce a characteristic reflected light signal that is detected and distinguished from background water reflection; the instrument evaluates both the received light level and the proportion of the scanned surface area covered by oil film, enabling highly configurable alarm logic. Two independent alarm thresholds — OIL WARNING and OIL ALARM — can each be set by light level (4–20 mA equivalent, 1 mA steps) and area coverage (0–90%, 10% steps), with a configurable continuous time threshold (CONT.TIME, 0–999 s) before alarm activation. Area-based alarm triggering is particularly effective for suppressing false alarms caused by floating debris, iron bacteria, insects, or fish — which are more likely to trigger a brief reflection event rather than sustained area coverage. The laser module lifetime has been significantly extended to 4 years (twice the previous model), with automatic cumulative operating hour tracking and a replacement notification displayed on the instrument. Installation requires no optical axis adjustment thanks to the bell-shaped structure.

Key Features LO-300

• Semiconductor laser scanning (650 nm, Class 2, <1 mW); oscillating mirror at ~50 kHz — non-contact, continuous surface oil film detection.
• Detection distance 0.3–4.0 m; up to 6.0 m on still water surfaces — improved wave resistance vs previous model (+1 m on flowing water).
• Two configurable alarm levels (OIL WARNING / OIL ALARM) independently set by light level and oil film area coverage (0–90%).
• CONT.TIME (0–999 s) prevents false alarms from brief transient events (debris, insects, fish, iron bacteria).
• 4-year laser module lifetime (2× previous model); cumulative operating hour management with automatic replacement notification.
• 3.5" colour touch panel LCD: light reception level display (17-step bar, 4–20 mA); oil film area coverage (10-step bar, 0–100%); status indicators; 100-point alarm log history.
• 2 × relay contact outputs (SPDT 1c, 250 V AC / 30 V DC, 4 A): Output 1 — OIL ALARM; Output 2 — System Error.
• 1 × 4–20 mA DC isolated transmission output; max. load 550 Ω.
• IP66; outdoor installation; −10 to +50 °C; 5–95% RH; tool-free installation (bell-shaped structure, no optical axis adjustment required).
• CE marked: EN61326-1 (EMC), EN61010-1 (Low Voltage), EN60825-1 (Laser Safety).

Applications

The LO-300 is suited to continuous monitoring for oil spills and oil film formation on water surfaces at industrial facilities, oil terminals, refineries, harbours, drainage channels, oil-water separator outlets, and pump stations — as well as detection of liquid films on factory floor surfaces. It provides early warning of oil leaks before oil reaches water bodies or causes regulatory exceedances.

Installation and Safety Notes

Mount outdoors with installation inclination less than ±3°; avoid direct sunlight exposure on the detection window. Rain protection provisions are required. Ensure the monitored water surface does not freeze. Power: 100 V AC ±10%, 50/60 Hz, <100 W; time-lag fuse 125 V 2 A. Standard cables supplied: power cable 5 m (AWG16 × 3 cores); signal cable 5 m (AWG21 × 8 cores, shielded). Laser Class 2 — do not stare into the beam. Operating temperature: −10 to +50 °C.

Technical Specifications