float switches
float switches
(OP)
I'm installing a pump, maybe a centrifugal, might go for a self priming, anyway. quite small, about 20m head, 3-4 cubic metres hour, and I need a float switch. Usual suppliers clearly know nothing of float switches and I needed some recommendations. The application is in a hot climate outdoors in asia. The usual search engine routine has just thrown up a load of spirit crushing adverts. Does anyone have any sound direction on this, uk supplier preferable??





RE: float switches
Have you looked at the types carried by RS Components?
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: float switches
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RE: float switches
The site is a bed with one horizon of aggrigate and another of soil, there are limited suspended solids, some sand in low amounts, the water has a high ammonia concentration as it is proessed water. roughly 10m depth, the site is hazardous due to it being in an area where effluent may or may not find its way into the system through leachate.
RE: float switches
I would be looking at something like a capacitive type from, say, Vega Controls, e.g. RS 539-5735. These are pretty much fit & forget once they are set up and will tolerate the environment. Check the compatibility of the stainless steel with ammonia - other materials are available. If you can stretch to the cost a true non-contact type such as a radar or ultrasonic would be even better. Guided wave radar is another good candidate given waveguide material compatibility with ammonia. Have a look at Milltronics (now Siemens, I think) and Rosemount as a couple of other leads.
But all that depends on your budget - I work in an industry where reliability is highly prized and a high initial cost is often acceptable if it buys reliability and low maintenance. Your situation is possibly different - only you know at the moment.
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: float switches
RE: float switches
Meant to ask: is this a surface tank with accessible walls, or a buried type?
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: float switches
RE: float switches
I'm not a real engineer, but I play one on T.V.
A.J. Gest, York Int./JCI
RE: float switches
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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: float switches
RE: float switches
They used to make a Mercury float, but change to a "ball" a few years ago due to EU requirement of non mercury components in the water industry.
There range is still top class and definatly value for money.
We still buy about 30/50 a year from them ( no i do not work for them ) when compared with say Flygt Pumps ENH 10 series, it'd say it's better, only a personal view.
They also make a IS verion but you would still need a barrier relay for a use in a hazardous area.
They are based in West Auckland, Co Durham - UK
If using as a on/off you should use two floats and not just a single for both actions.
I also use the Ultrasonic / Radar / Probes (capacitance or conductivity versions ) all have there markets, and depending on the manufacturer and application they are very good and we use and service them on a dailly basis. manufacturers of these mentioned by others above all have a
good reputation.
Regards
RE: float switches
We pump chemial, and we like to recomend this in all cases just in case. On the low level side, also look at pump protection monitor to switch it off in case of dry running.
Ash Fenn
www.cdrpumps.co.uk
RE: float switches
Being in East Africa the evapotranspiration and vast herded local cattle "helping themselves" to water (wether cleaned or not!) has a fluctuating impact on water levels.
And as for the wet season?? Forget it!