FAQ for Level Switches

How should we select an appropriate level switch?

It is important to consider factors such as material conditions (solid, powder, slurry, liquid, etc.), material properties (corrosiveness, viscosity, dielectric constant, conductivity, etc.), and ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) when selecting an appropriate level switch.

For more details, please refer to the following article:

How can low-density materials be detected with a rotary paddle level switch?

For applications involving low-density materials, vibrating level switches are recommended.

The paddle does not rotate. Can it be repaired?

If the problem is caused by the circuit board, the internal unit can be replaced.

We recommend purchasing a spare internal unit in advance for replacement purposes.

We are concerned whether it can detect the material properly.

Please use our sample testing service.

If you provide a sample of the material, we can check its dielectric constant at our facility.

Please note that the sample must be in powder form.

Toxic materials require prior consultation.

Please contact us in advance before sending the sample.

What are the differences in features depending on the shape of the sensing element of a vibrating level switch?

There are two types of sensing element shapes: fork type and probe type.

The fork type can be used for both liquids and powders. However, when measuring granular materials, care should be taken because the material may become lodged between the forks depending on the particle size, which could cause false detection.

The probe type is designed for powder applications and cannot be used for liquids.

The vibrating level switches supplied by Matsushima Measure Tech use the probe type sensing element.

Why are admittance level switches less affected by material buildup (adhesion)?

Admittance level switches employ a three-electrode design, consisting of a sensing electrode, a ground electrode, and a guard electrode placed between them.

The guard electrode blocks the capacitance change caused by material buildup on the ground electrode or insulating parts, thereby preventing false operation.

For more details, please refer to our product page.

Since the dielectric constant of the material is unknown, we cannot determine whether it can be detected by an admittance level switch. Is there any way to verify this?

We have prepared a simple in-house measuring device to check the dielectric constant of materials.

If you are considering the use of an admittance level switch, please contact us in advance and send us a sample of the material. We will then measure its dielectric constant at our facility.

Please note that this service is available only for powders or granular materials and cannot be applied to liquids.

If sample testing is not possible, we also offer a demo unit loan service, which can be used for on-site evaluation if necessary.

If the material is conductive, it may short-circuit the electrodes, making capacitance measurement difficult. In such cases, how is detection achieved?

Conductive materials can also be detected. In this case, please set the range to 4.

For the wire type, is it possible to fine-adjust the L dimension on site?

Yes.

Basically, the length can be shortened on site. If the required L dimension is uncertain, we recommend ordering it slightly longer and adjusting it during installation.