MultiTrode® & MultiSmart® Discontinued? Understanding Your Replacement Options

Why many operators are transitioning from conductivity probe technology to hydrostatic level sensing.

The discontinuation of Xylem's MultiTrode® and MultiSmart® product range has left many water authorities, councils, pump suppliers, electricians, and maintenance providers looking for suitable long-term replacement solutions.

While MultiTrode® systems have been widely used throughout Australia for many years, replacing an ageing installation also presents an opportunity to consider newer level sensing technologies that can improve reliability, simplify installation, and reduce ongoing maintenance.

Understanding Conductivity Probe Technology

The MultiTrode® system used a conductivity probe to detect liquid levels. By using multiple sensing electrodes installed at different heights within a wet well, the controller could determine pump start, stop, and alarm levels based on the conductivity of the liquid.

This approach has proven effective across many pumping applications and has been a trusted solution throughout the water and wastewater industry.

However, like all sensing technologies, conductivity probes rely on the characteristics of the liquid being measured and require multiple sensing points to establish operating levels.

Why Many Sites Are Moving to Hydrostatic Level Measurement

Rather than detecting individual liquid levels, a hydrostatic pressure transducer continuously measures the pressure created by the liquid column above it. This pressure is then converted into an accurate, continuous level reading.

Because a hydrostatic transducer provides a live level measurement rather than individual switching points, operators gain greater visibility of system performance while reducing the amount of hardware installed within the wet well.

This approach also allows pump start, stop and alarm levels to be adjusted within the controller without physically repositioning probes or altering the installation.

The Benefits of Continuous Level Measurement

For many new installations and system upgrades, hydrostatic level sensing offers several advantages over traditional conductivity probe systems, including:

• Continuous liquid level monitoring
• Simple adjustment of operating setpoints
• Reduced cabling and in-well hardware
• Greater flexibility for changing operating conditions
• Integration with modern pump controllers and remote monitoring platforms

The most suitable technology will always depend on the application, but many operators are now choosing continuous level measurement as part of broader pump station upgrades.

A Modern Alternative

MATelec Australia's Hydrostatic Transducer has been developed to provide accurate, reliable continuous level measurement for water and wastewater applications.

When combined with our HydroSTART®, HydroWHIZ® or HydroTOUCH® controller range, it delivers intelligent pump control, configurable level management and optional cloud-based monitoring through the Propitect® platform.

For organisations replacing discontinued MultiTrode® or MultiSmart® equipment, this provides an opportunity to modernise existing infrastructure while maintaining dependable operation.

Learn More About Replacing MultiTrode® Systems

We've created a dedicated resource outlining our recommended replacement approach for discontinued MultiTrode® and MultiSmart® installations, including compatible solutions and technical considerations.