The Future is Opti-Float
Opti-Float® by Cox Research isn’t just another level detector—it’s the future of wastewater management. Built on decades of innovation, Opti-Float® delivers unmatched reliability and safety for facilities that refuse to settle for outdated solutions.
How It Started
In the 1990s, Cox Research was supplying control panels across the country. But as the company grew, so did the troubleshooting calls. Time and again, the issue wasn’t the panels—it was faulty floats. Founder Chris Cox, committed to solving problems at their source, took a closer look.
Traditional floats rely on copper wire, electricity, and materials that degrade quickly in harsh wastewater environments. They’re built to fail, driving up maintenance costs and even creating safety risks. Chris knew there had to be a better way.
Reimagining What’s Possible
What if floats could be designed without copper or electricity? Inspired by the fiber optic cables found in consumer electronics, Chris engineered a float that uses light to send signals instead of fragile wires.
In 2005, he built a custom wetwell simulator to replicate real operating conditions. One by one, traditional floats failed after roughly 150,000 flexes of their copper wires. When Opti-Float® was put to the test, it surpassed 15 million operations without failure—proving it was built to last.
By combining fiber optic technology with a 100% polyurethane housing, Chris eliminated the weak points of traditional floats. The result: a patented, copper-free, corrosion-resistant float. Durable, dependable, and inherently safe, Opti-Float® has been trusted in the field for over a decade. It also eliminates harmful metals like mercury and lead from the process.
To serve broader needs, Cox later introduced the Opti-Float® Mini, offering the same reliability in a compact, cost-efficient form.
The Innovation Continues
As demand for Cox Research panels grew, supply chain delays in enclosures slowed production. Once again, Chris reimagined the process—developing the patented Control Assembly Maintenance Option (CAMO®).
CAMO® revolutionized production with a plug-and-play design that allows interior panels to be fully built in advance. Once an enclosure arrives, components drop in immediately for shipping. Beyond production, CAMO® makes maintenance easier: the backplate can be removed and replaced without disturbing the entire enclosure, reducing downtime and costs.
Since its launch, CAMO® has become Cox Research’s staple control panel—trusted nationwide for efficiency and reliability.
Looking Ahead
As the water industry faces growing challenges, Cox Research continues to push forward. Today, Opti-Float® level detectors and CAMO® panels are trusted by municipalities across the country as the benchmark for safety, reliability, and innovation.
Join us at WEFTEC 2025 in Chicago, Booth #4454, to see how Opti-Float® and CAMO® can strengthen your operations.