LumaStar™ Illuminator: Model EPL-100 Can Be Used on Reflex Style Gages

Dec 13, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Aug 12

Did you know? The LumaStar™ Illuminator - Model EPL-100 can be used on a reflex style gage. While illuminators are traditionally used as a back light on transparent style gages, they can be used on reflex style gages to provide extra lighting.

Reflex vs. Transparent: Two Different Ways of Showing Level

The choice between reflex and transparent gages is application based, and each shows liquid level differently. A reflex gage uses molded prisms on the process side of the glass, producing a clear line between the liquid (which appears black) and the air or steam space (which appears silver) - the light refraction principle does the work of creating contrast, without needing to see through the actual fluid itself. A transparent gage, by contrast, relies on directly viewing through the liquid, which is why it traditionally depends on backlighting to remain readable, especially with dark or opaque process fluids.

Why a Reflex Gage Still Benefits From Illumination

Because a reflex gage's black/silver contrast comes from light refraction rather than transmission through the fluid, it doesn't strictly require a backlight the way a transparent gage does. But adding the LumaStar EPL-100 illuminator to a reflex gage isn't redundant - it provides extra lighting that makes the liquid level easier to see in darker environments, such as dimly lit boiler rooms or process areas without strong ambient light. The reflex principle still works without illumination, but visibility in genuinely dark conditions improves meaningfully with it.

When to Choose Reflex vs. Transparent

Since the choice is application based, a few factors typically drive the decision:

Reflex gages work well for high-contrast, at-a-glance reading and are often preferred where the black/silver distinction provides faster, clearer interpretation than viewing through the fluid directly
Transparent gages are preferred when operators need to observe the actual color, clarity, or condition of the process fluid itself, not just its level - something a reflex gage's prism-based contrast doesn't provide

Why This Matters for Existing Installations

Facilities that already have reflex gages installed, and are experiencing visibility issues in dark areas, don't need to switch to a transparent gage design to gain the benefit of illumination. The EPL-100 can be added directly to the existing reflex gage, providing improved visibility without changing the gage type or the reading principle operators are already familiar with.

Applications

Reflex gages with LumaStar illumination are valuable across:

Power Generation: Boiler rooms with limited ambient lighting
Process Facilities: Dark or enclosed process areas requiring reflex-style level indication
Any Facility Running Existing Reflex Gages: Where visibility improvement is needed without a full gage type change