Technical Data
ComparePoint Level / Solids
| Measuring Principle | Capacitive Solid |
| Characteristic / Application | Compact rod probe with build-up compensation easy start up |
| Specialities | FDA-listed material |
| Supply / Communication | 10,8 ... 45V DC, DC-PNP 3-wire 20 ... 253V AC, or 20 ... 55V DC, Relay output |
| Ambient temperature | -40°C...+70°C (-40°F...+158°F) |
| Process temperature | -40°C ...+120°C (-40°F ...+248°F) |
| Process pressure / max. overpressure limit | -1 ... 25 bar (-14.5 ... 360 psi) |
| Main wetted parts | PPS = Polyphenylene sulphide (glass fibre content approx. 40%) |
| Process connection | R1" NPT1" |
| Sensor length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Communication | PNP transistor output Relay output (potential-free change-over contact / SPDT) |
| Certificates / Approvals | ATEX , IEC Ex, FM, CSA, NEPSI, UK Ex |
| Options | Aluminium Housing |
| Application limits | Solids, grain size max. 30 mm (1.2"), DK min 1,6 Flexural strength 1400 N (at probe tip) |
Commonly used model: FTC260-AA4D1
The Minicap FTC260 rod probe has a simple, economical design for point level detection of bulk solids, and is especially suitable for corrosive media or media with heavy buildup. The probe is designed for point level detection of light bulk solids, with typical applications such as grain, flour, milk powder, animal feed, cement, talc or gypsum.
Benefits:
-
The measuring system consists of a probe and electronics:
——simple installation
——no calibration at startup -
Built-in buildup compensation:
——precise switching is maintained even with heavy buildup on the probe
——high operating safety -
Robust mechanical parts:
——no wearing parts
——long service life
——maintenance-free
Application areas:
The Minicap is designed for point level detection of light bulk solids with a maximum particle size of 30 mm and a dielectric constant of εr ≥ 1.6. Typical applications: grain, flour, milk powder, animal feed, cement, talc or gypsum.
Models:
-
Minicap FTC260: with a 140 mm rod probe made of FDA-compliant material; for bulk solids and liquids
-
Relay output with AC or DC power supply (spare auxiliary changeover power supply/SPDT)
-
PNP output with 3-wire DC power supply
Spare Parts & Accessories 15
15 spare parts · click to collapse
| Order code | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 543223-0011 | Housing F14 PBT, Pg13, coverMaterial: Polyester. Usage: Minicap. -For E+H service only- | Details |
| 543201-0000 | Cover F14 PBT, gasketO-ring EPDM. Usage: housing Polyester. | Details |
| 943201-1001 | Cover F14 PE, transparent PASight glass: Polycarbonat PA. | Details |
| 71092705 | Aluminum coverMaterial: aluminium. O-ring: EPDM. Not for Ex d/XP. Usage: FMB50/FMB51/FMB52/FMB53, FTC260/FTC262, PMC51, PMD55, PMP51/PMP55. | Details |
| 71092707 | Aluminum coverMaterial: aluminium. Sight glass: mineral glass. O-ring: EPDM. Not for Ex d/XP. Usage: FMB50/FMB51/FMB52/FMB53, FTC260/FTC262, PMC51, PMD55, PMP51/PMP55. | Details |
| 52020429 | Seal ring assemblyconsists of: 5x O-ring 75,87x2.62, EPDM, PTFE, FDA | Details |
| 52006108 | electronic plug-in module20-253VAC/20-55VDC | Details |
| 52006109 | electronic plug-in module10,8-45VDC PNP | Details |
| 543205-0000 | Socket E8 (F14), screws, PBTUsage: electronics. | Details |
| 543226-0001 | Probe FTC260 R1 PPS, gasketThreaded boss R1. Usage: FTC260. | Details |
| 543226-0011 | Probe FTC260 NPT1 PPS, gasketThreaded boss NPT1. Usage: FTC260. | Details |
| 943215-1001 | Sleeve adapter R1-1/2 > R1, PPSUsage: FTC260. Thread type: EN10226/ISO7. Material: PPS. | Details |
| 943215-1021 | Sleeve adapter G1-1/2 > R1, PPSUsage: FTC260. Thread type: EN10226/ISO7. Material: PPS. | Details |
| 52014047 | O-ringProcess gasket for process connections G1-1/2 | Details |
| 943215-0042 | Sleeve adapter NPT1-1/4 > NPT1, STThread type: EN10226/ISO7. Material: steel zinc coated. Usage: FTC260. | Details |
Configurator / Comparison
Measuring principle video
Click to playManuals & Documents 2
All documents for this modelCase Studies
Municipal Wastewater Treatment · capacitors — Application Case
Customer Profile
The typical setting in Municipal Wastewater Treatment is the inlet, biological and outlet stages of a municipal plant. The measuring point is capacitors; the focus is capacitive sensing of level, interface or point limit.
Key Difficulties
Conditions are high solids and corrosive fractions, with large diurnal flow swings and, on top of that, effluent parameters drift and probes foul with sludge and biofilm, which a standard configuration cannot handle for long. The design therefore starts with choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency.
Implementation
The scope ran through the level range: level solution matched to the actual tank and silo geometry. Technically it hinges on choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency, and on these requirements: stable compliance with Grade 1A discharge limits and online data reporting.
Customer Benefit
In practice this means reliable detection despite build-up, with far fewer false alarms, which cut the workload on the site maintenance team.
Food & Beverage · capacitors — Application Case
Project Background
The project covers dosing, pasteurising, filling and CIP stages. The work centres on capacitors and the core task is capacitive sensing of level, interface or point limit.
Operating Challenges
The medium and duty are characterised by syrups, dairy and beverages that scale easily, under strict hygienic requirements, and frequent cleaning demands instruments that withstand hot CIP/SIP caustic cycles. So capacitors cannot be specified generically — it calls for choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency.
Solution
The Ainstru engineering team worked through the level range: level solution matched to the actual tank and silo geometry. The configuration involves choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency, with these requirements in view: food-safety and hygienic design per 3-A / EHEDG.
Results
Since start-up the system has run steadily; the practical result is reliable detection despite build-up, with far fewer false alarms.
Chemical & Pharmaceutical · capacitors — Application Case
Project Overview
The site is reactors, metering vessels and finished-product tanks. The customer wanted capacitors properly configured on the existing plant, with the aim of capacitive sensing of level, interface or point limit.
Technical Challenges
What actually causes trouble is highly corrosive media with solvents and crystallisation, partly in explosive atmospheres, and corrosion plus Ex protection shortens instrument life and makes downtime costly. All of this means the capacitors configuration has to involve choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency.
Configuration
Supply and installation were organised through the level range: level solution matched to the actual tank and silo geometry. On site this meant choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency, checked line by line against: Ex certification and GMP traceability of records.
Performance
After commissioning the outcome is reliable detection despite build-up, with far fewer false alarms, and the readings are now used for process tuning.
Power & Energy · capacitors — Application Case
Site Conditions
This is a Power & Energy customer whose plant is at boiler feedwater, turbine condensate and FGD/DeNOx systems. The main task was capacitive sensing of level, interface or point limit.
The Problem
The difficulty lies in high temperature and pressure with both steam and saline water; at the same time drift under high temperature and pressure, with very costly unplanned outages. Specification therefore means choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency.
What We Did
We took a level range approach — level solution matched to the actual tank and silo geometry. Delivery was built around choosing rod, cable or plate probes by dielectric constant and build-up tendency, with point-by-point checks on: compliance with power-industry codes and unit availability targets.
Operating Outcome
In service the system performs as intended — reliable detection despite build-up, with far fewer false alarms, with routine maintenance falling noticeably.
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