The production of liquid and viscous food applications requires an exact point level measurement. To prevent a tank overflow, a precise detection of a defined high and low level is required in order to prevent overflow and run dry pump protection.

There are, however, many points were levels can be determined in an accurate manner. To assist you in this determination here are 7 of the most common positions as indicated in this diagram from Anderson-Negele.

USE IN TANKS

Requirement #1:

• A sensor is built into the tank from above
• The space between the tank cover and the medium

The Solution:

• The space is bridged by a rod
• A highly flexible sensor: The length of the sensor tip can be adjusted to the requirements of the user to the nearest millimetre

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-L-11

 

Requirement #2:

• Installation from the side
• An agitator is built into the tank
• Easy to clean to ensure accurate point level measurement

The Solution:

• Low submersion depth into the medium because of the compact design of the probe tip
• The material prevents the formation of accumulations such as caustic deposits, making the unit very easy to clean

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS Standard
• NCS-L-1x/18

 

Requirement #3:

• Restricted space for installation of the sensor due to other lines or attachments

The Solution:

• Compact Plug & Play sensor
• Installed like a spark plug using a ratchet; this results in minimum clearance requirements to the next attachment
• No special settings/medium calibration needed for installation, another effort to ensure point level measurement accuracy

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-M

 

Requirement #4:

• Sensors that are installed on the sides or in the floor are more likely to develop deposits on the sensor tip in viscous or adhesive media. The sensor must nevertheless switch properly

The Solution:

• The additional PEEK insulation shifts the sensor tip further toward the middle of the tank, helping to prevent the formation of deposits on the tip

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-L-1x/50

 

USE IN DOUBLE-WALLED TANKS

Requirement #5:

• Installation of the sensor in a double-walled tank

The Solution:

• The point level switches from Anderson-Negele can be readily built into double-walled tanks using weld-in sleeves

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-L-1x/50…-L60
• NCS-1x/…-L60
• NCS-L-11/…-L60

 

 

USE IN PIPING

Requirement #6:

 

• In downpipes below a tank, liquid from the tank may still flow over the sensor tip after draining has finished
• A rapid empty indication should nevertheless be ensured

The Solution:

• The sensor tip is shifted further toward the middle of the pipe to a position where it cannot be reached by liquid flowing out of the tank after draining

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-L-1x/18
• NCS-L-1x/50

Requirement #7:

• Installation into pipes with a small cross section
• Conventional sensors cannot be used in constricted spaces

The Solution:

• Sensors of type NCS-0x can be used in pipe diameters as small as DN15

Suitable Sensors:

• NCS-0x

 

The Advantages

As with the NCS series, the advantages are the same to bring about accurate point level measurement, namely:

• They are available in high-temperature versions for use at process temperatures up to 140 °C.
• Rapid response times down to 100 ms for accurate control processes, such as in filling applications are experienced
• To adjust the sensor to the medium requires a simple screwdriver. You won’t need software skills or programming tools
• The switching state of the sensor can be viewed from the outside, should you prefer.

Anderson-Negele is a specialist for point level indicators, and along with Morton Controls, can offer a suitable solution for almost any measuring problem with its capacitive NCS series.