An industrial field device provides information indicative of a process variable. The field device includes a controller, communication circuitry, a process variable sensor and measurement circuitry. The communication circuitry is coupled to the controller. The process variable sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes based on a variable of a process fluid. The measurement circuitry is coupled to the process variable sensor and coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to generate communication via the communication circuitry relative to the process variable, and to provide an indication of sand flow or other solids in the fluid.