§1What this business is
A level controller senses the water level in a tank (float switch, electrode or ultrasonic sensor) and uses a relay to start or stop the pump motor, so the tank does not overflow or run dry. The unit buys sensors, microcontrollers and relays, assembles and tests the circuit boards, fits floats and housings, and installs and tests the system at site. Buyers are homes, housing societies, plumbers, electricians and industries.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
An ITI, diploma or graduate in electrical or electronics with a plumber and electrician network.
Who it is not for
Someone without service staff — controllers are installed and repaired at site.
Advantages
- Saves water and electricity — an easy reason for buyers
- Low machinery cost (₹8.22 L)
- Industrial users (chemical, pharma, dairy, beverages) also buy level controls
Drawbacks
- Most money goes into stock and credit, not machines
- Thin margin — ₹24.08 L profit on ₹410.14 L sales in year 5
- Cheap controllers from many brands compete
Skills you need
- PCB assembly and soldering
- Sensor and relay testing
- Site installation
- Dealer and plumber network
Why difficulty 2/5: Simple assembly; the hard part is building dealers and after-sales service.
§3Market
Who buys
- Households and housing societies
- Builders
- Industries (chemical, pharma, dairy, beverages)
How it sells
- Plumbers and electricians
- Electrical and hardware dealers
- Direct project supply
Good to know
- The profile links demand to water saving and new construction.
- Year-1 sales ₹175.78 L at 30% capacity (profile).
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming inspection unit | 1 | ₹25,000 |
| Coil winding machine | 1 | ₹35,000 |
| Component assembly / soldering station | 1 | ₹60,000 |
| PCB test station | 1 | ₹30,000 |
| Component test station | 1 | ₹30,000 |
| PCB assembly line | 1 | ₹35,000 |
| Assembly inspection station | 1 | ₹20,000 |
| PCB testing station | 1 | ₹25,000 |
| Final product assembly line | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Micro-controller testing | 1 | ₹25,000 |
| Packing and labelling station | 1 | ₹20,000 |
| Oscilloscope | 1 | ₹1,30,000 |
| Shear machine | 1 | ₹12,000 |
| DC power supply | 2 | ₹50,000 |
| Welding machine | 2 | ₹80,000 |
| Final product test set-up | 1 | ₹40,000 |
| Jigs and fixtures for assembly line | lot | ₹1,50,000 |
| Hand tools and gauges | lot | ₹40,000 |
From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Manufacturing of Level Controllers for Household Tanks (2017) — private guide — confirm locally
- Sensors, micro-controllers, relays, switchesbought from large electronic suppliers
- Steel or PVC tubes and moulded plastic floatsbought or made for float switches
- Brackets and mountingsfor installation at site
From: SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Manufacturing of Level Controllers for Household Tanks (2017) — private guide — confirm locally
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- Trade licence from the local body
- BIS registration if the product falls under a compulsory order — check
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- Stand-Up IndiaCentralClosed₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore loan
PMEGP fits (₹31.85 L manufacturing project); CGTMSE for a loan without collateral; Stand-Up India for SC/ST and women founders (loans ₹10 L–₹1 crore).
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Plant & machinery ₹8.22 L (test stations, soldering and assembly lines, oscilloscope, tools) + fixtures & electricals ₹1.60 L + preliminary ₹1.00 L + working-capital margin ₹21.03 L = ₹31.85 L. No land or building cost.
Working capital: Gross working capital ₹49.86 L; promoter margin ₹21.03 L, bank ₹28.83 L — stock and dealer credit take most of the money.
Stand-Up Mitra profile from 2017 — machinery and material prices will be higher now.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC)
- Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Electronic component price and supply
- Field failures under warranty
- Price competition
- Money stuck with dealers
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working water level controller assembly unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Water Level Controller Assembly?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
- SIDBI Stand-Up Mitra project profile — Manufacturing of Level Controllers for Household Tanks (2017)
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.