Device image
Device identification
- Device name: Shelly BLU Distance
- Device model: SBDI-003E
- Device Bluetooth ID: 0x000a
Short description
Shelly BLU Distance is a smart battery-powered Bluetooth device equipped with an ultrasonic sensor for accurate distance and level measurement, including liquid level monitoring.
Main features
- Distance or level measurement from 200 mm to 5 m via ultrasonic sensor
- Level measurement of liquids or solids
- Monitoring parking space occupancy
- Automatic measurements at user-selectable intervals from 5 to 300 seconds
- Automatic measurement at detected vibration
- IP64 protection for durability and environmental resistance
- Comes with protective sleeve and two nuts for mounting
- Supports Bluetooth for flexible, low-latency control of your smart devices
- Battery-powered for flexibility and uninterrupted operation
- Supports local automation actions for independent operation
- Support for Shelly Cloud and Shelly Smart Control app
Use cases
- Environmental Monitoring (Liquid Level Monitoring in Tanks or Reservoirs) – The sensor continuously measures liquid levels in storage tanks and reservoirs, enabling automated refill alerts and preventing overflow or depletion.
- Parking Management – The sensor detects vehicle presence in parking spots, providing real-time occupancy data for efficient parking management and space optimization.
- Safety Systems (Door and Gate Automation) – By detecting obstacles in the path of automated doors and gates, the sensor prevents accidental collisions, ensuring enhanced safety in residential and commercial environments.
- Smart Home Ecosystems (Garage Systems, liquid Tanks) – Integrated into a smart home system, the sensor helps automate garage door operations based on vehicle detection and monitors liquid tank levels to optimize household usage.
Main applications
- Environmental monitoring (liquid levels in tanks or reservoirs)
- Parking management (parking spot occupancy)
- Smart home ecosystems (garage systems, storage tanks)
- Safety systems (door and gate automation)
- Industrial automation
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
User interface
Inputs:
- Push button:
- Single press: Reset the timer between measurements.
- Press 4 times: Enter pairing mode for 60 seconds.
- Press and hold for 30 seconds: Factory reset (only possible shortly after inserting the battery).
Outputs:
- LED indication:
- LED flashes once on button press to show that the device has accepted the user command and will immediately measure and broadcast the data.
- LED flashes fast after pressing the button 4 times to indicate pairing mode.
- LED flashes superfast on successful BLE/BT pairing for 5 seconds.
User options
User can configure the device with 7 ranges of operation. It is possible to set the device on full range mode or either set one or two measurement ranges to save battery by not checking all ranges. Valid values: 1 to 7. Default mode is 7 – full range.
- Range 1 – Close (200 mm – 450 mm)
- Range 2 – Mid (300 mm – 3500 mm)
- Range 3 – Close and Mid (200 mm – 3500 mm)
- Range 4 – Far (2500 mm – 5000 mm)
- Range 5 – Close (200 mm – 450 mm) and Far (2500 mm – 5000 mm)
- Range 6 – Mid and Far (300 mm – 5000 mm)
- Range 7 – Full range (200 mm – 5000 mm)
Modes of operation
- Measurement on interval or vibration – Measurement is performed at fixed intervals. The default mode is 30 seconds, but can be adjusted (minimum 5, maximum 300 seconds). In addition, a button or vibration initiates a measurement earlier than the set interval. Then the new interval starts from the time of the last measurement, regardless of whether it is periodic or extraordinary by button or vibration.
Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | |
| Size (HxWxD) | - Without casing: 115.20 mm / 4.53 in ±0.5 mm (length) × 33.3 mm / 1.31 in ±0.5 mm (diameter) - With casing: 117.90 mm / 4.64 in ±0.5 mm (length) × 35.30 mm / 1.39 in ±0.5 mm (diameter) The device, along with the casing, must be mounted in a hole with a minimum diameter of 36.00 mm. |
| Weight | 114 g (with battery) |
| Shell material | Plastic |
| Color | White |
| Environmental | |
| Ambient temperature | -20 °C to 40 °C / -5 °F to 105 °F |
| Humidity | 30% to 75% RH |
| Degree of protection | IP64 |
| Electrical | |
| Power supply | 1× 3.6 V LISOC 14505 2700 mAh battery |
| Battery life | Up to 4 years |
| Ultrasonic sensor | |
| Measurement range | 200 mm – 5000 mm |
| Accuracy | - From 20 cm to 200 cm: ±2 cm - Above 200 cm: ±1% |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Protocol | 5 |
| Bluetooth RF band | 2402 – 2480 MHz |
| Bluetooth Max. RF power | <20 dBm |
| Bluetooth Range | Up to 10 m / 33 ft indoors, 30 m / 100 ft outdoors (dependent on local conditions) |
| Microcontroller Unit | |
| CPU | Silicon Labs - EFR32MG27C140F768IM32 |
| Clock frequency | 38.4 MHz |
| RAM | 64 kB |
| Flash | 768 kB |
| Firmware Capabilities | |
| Encryption | AES encryption (CCM mode) |
| Additional Features | |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Measure interval | 5 seconds to 300 seconds. Default: 30 seconds |
| Measurement ranges (7 types) | As listed above under "User options" |
Basic wiring diagrams
The device is battery-operated and no external wiring is required for operation.
Troubleshooting
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Components and APIs
Compliance and certification
Compliance
- Shelly BLU Distance multilingual EU declaration of conformity
- Shelly BLU Distance UK PSTI ACT Statement of compliance
- Shelly BLU Distance FCC compliance certificate
- Shelly BLU Distance AU NZ Certificate for Suitability
Printed user guide
Additional resources: