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Varec 2500 ATG

Power-Free Automatic Tank Gauge

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Varec 2500 ATG

The Varec 2500 Automatic Tank Gauge is designed for terminal operators, refinery engineers, inventory managers, custody-transfer specialists, and EPC project teams who need continuous level measurement without electrical infrastructure and API 3.1B inventory-grade accuracy.

Unlike electrically-powered radar or servo gauges that depend on continuous power and regular electronic calibration, the 2500 ATG is a fully mechanical float-and-tape gauge that sustains measurement through power outages and delivers the inventory-grade accuracy level that programs like API Chapter 3.1B rely on for inventory control and custody-related measurement.

Two housing variants are available: aluminum for atmospheric to approximately 2.5 PSI service on fixed-roof and floating-roof tanks, and cast iron for service to approximately 14.9 PSI on low-pressure spheres and pressurized vessels. Optional 316 stainless steel, Monel, or Carpenter 20 wetted parts support corrosive chemical service.

Both housings accept the optional 2920 Float & Tape Transmitter for digital output via Modbus, GPU Bi-Phase Mark, Mark/Space, and L&J Tankway, or the 8920 Loop-Powered Transmitter for 4–20 mA analog integration with PLCs, DCS, and FuelsManager®.

With ATEX II 1 G approval under FM06ATEX0009 and proven service across petroleum terminals, aviation fuel farms, chemical storage, and defense fueling sites, the 2500 ATG remains the reference mechanical tank gauge for bulk liquid storage worldwide.

Varec 2500 ATG
Varec 2500 ATG
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Features

Power-Free Mechanical Operation

Fully mechanical float-and-tape design delivers continuous level measurement without electrical power, sustaining the uninterrupted record programs like EPA SPCC and API 2350 rely on.

API 3.1B Inventory-Grade Accuracy

Precision to 0.2 in (4 mm) with ±1/16 in (±2 mm) repeatability, aligned with inventory-grade accuracy programs like API Chapter 3.1B rely on.

Digital Integration Ready

Accepts the 2920 FTT for digital output (Modbus, GPU Bi-Phase Mark, Mark/Space, L&J Tankway) or 8920 LPT for 4–20 mA, feeding FuelsManager® and SCADA.

Ground-Level Display Options

Optional ground-level display kits let operators read the tank at grade, eliminating routine tank climbs and reducing working-at-height exposure across the terminal.

Negator Cassette Protection

A self-contained Negator Cassette shields the tape path and moving components from contaminants, simplifying motor replacement and extending service life in harsh terminals.

Versatile Tank Compatibility

Aluminum (to ~2.5 PSI) or cast iron (to ~14.9 PSI) housings; 316 SS, Monel, or Carpenter 20 wetted parts for petroleum, chemical, and aviation.

Applications

  • Multiproduct Refinery Storage: Continuous, inventory-grade measurement aligned with API Chapter 3.1B across diverse product types in refinery tank farms, supporting reconciliation between receipts, blending, and outbound shipments.
  • Remote Aviation Fuel Farms: Uninterrupted jet fuel monitoring at into-plane and airport sites where power is limited or MIL-STD traceability programs call for a mechanical measurement record.
  • Chemical & Solvent Tanks: Supports corrosive service through specialized float designs and 316 SS, Monel, or Carpenter 20 wetted materials for long service life in demanding chemical storage.
  • External Floating-Roof Storage: Tracks continuously changing levels on crude and refined-product floating-roof tanks, delivering consistent storage visibility without drift affecting radar signals near moving roofs.
  • Hazardous-Area Storage: ATEX II 1 G approval under FM06ATEX0009 enables safe operation in classified zones across refineries, chemical plants, and terminals without electrical protection add-ons.
  • Low-Pressure Spheres and Bullets: Cast iron housing extends service to ~14.9 PSI for reliable measurement on LPG spheres, bullets, and low-pressure vessels where radar dielectric constants are unreliable.
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Specifications

Parameter

Specification

Accuracy

Up to 0.2 in (4 mm) per API Chapter 3.1B

Repeatability

Approximately ±1/16 in (±2 mm)

Measuring Range

Standard: 0–60 ft (18 m); Extended: up to 90 ft (27 m)

Specific Gravity Range

0.7 – 1.9 g/cc with proper float selection

Service Rating — Aluminum Housing

Atmospheric to ~2.5 PSI (17.2 kPa) gauge pressure

Service Rating — Cast Iron Housing

Atmospheric to ~14.9 PSI (102.73 kPa) gauge pressure

Operating Temperature

–40 °F to +185 °F (–40 °C to +85 °C)

Display Options

Dial/counter in metric or imperial (decimal or fractional); optional ground-level display kit

Power Requirements

None — fully mechanical operation

Approvals

ATEX II 1 G — FM06ATEX0009

Wetted Materials (Optional)

316 stainless steel, Monel, or Carpenter 20 for corrosive service

Optional Equipment

Negator Cassette, interface floats, guidewires, float wells, installation kits, ground-level display kits

Digital Integration

2920 Float & Tape Transmitter for Modbus, GPU Bi-Phase Mark, Mark/Space, L&J Tankway; 8920 Loop-Powered Transmitter for 4–20 mA analog

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If you have questions not covered here, please contact the Cognesense support team for assistance.

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Does the 2500 ATG require electrical power?

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No. The 2500 ATG is a fully mechanical float-and-tape gauge. It provides continuous liquid level measurement without any electrical power, ensuring uninterrupted measurement during site outages and enabling deployment at remote terminals, aviation fuel farms, and defense sites where power is limited or unavailable.

What accuracy does the 2500 ATG deliver?

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The 2500 ATG achieves measurement precision up to 0.2 in (4 mm) with approximately ±1/16 in (±2 mm) repeatability. This is the inventory-grade accuracy level that programs like API Chapter 3.1B rely on for inventory control and custody-related measurement accuracy.

Can the 2500 ATG connect to SCADA or FuelsManager®?

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Yes. The 2500 accepts the optional 2920 Float & Tape Transmitter, which digitizes the mechanical reading and publishes level and temperature via Modbus, GPU Bi-Phase Mark, Mark/Space, and L&J Tankway protocols. The 8920 Loop-Powered Transmitter delivers 4–20 mA analog output for traditional PLC/DCS integration. Either transmitter connects the 2500 to FuelsManager® and modern inventory management platforms without replacing the installed mechanical gauge.

Is the 2500 ATG certified for hazardous locations?

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Yes. The 2500 ATG carries ATEX II 1 G approval under certificate FM06ATEX0009, enabling safe operation in classified explosive atmospheres across refineries, chemical plants, and terminals.

What tank types does the 2500 ATG work with?

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The 2500 is rated for fixed-roof, floating-roof, stilling-well, and low-pressure sphere applications. The aluminum housing covers atmospheric to approximately 2.5 PSI service; the cast iron housing extends to approximately 14.9 PSI for LPG spheres, bullets, and low-pressure vessels.

What is the Negator Cassette option?

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The Negator Cassette is an optional self-contained assembly that protects the tape path and moving components from environmental contaminants. It simplifies motor replacement, reduces field maintenance time, and extends service life in harsh terminal environments.

Can operators read the 2500 ATG without climbing the tank?

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Yes. Optional ground-level display kits let operators take readings at grade. This reduces working-at-height exposure, supports routine inventory checks without tank entry, and aligns with modern terminal safety programs.

What materials are available for corrosive chemical service?

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For corrosive chemical or solvent applications, the 2500 ATG can be manufactured with 316 stainless steel, Monel, or Carpenter 20 wetted parts. Consult the model number selection guide or your Cognesense application engineer to match wetted materials to the stored product.

Summary

With over a century of precision measurement heritage, Cognesense continues to set the global standard for mechanical tank gauging. The Varec 2500 ATG delivers continuous, API 3.1B inventory-grade level measurement across fixed-roof, floating-roof, and low-pressure sphere applications — without electrical power, through any outage, with ATEX II 1 G approval for hazardous-area service. The result is a safe, reliable, and audit-ready tank gauge trusted wherever you need to measure, monitor, and protect what matters most.

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