An oil level switch is an instrument used to control the level of oil in various shapes of containers, such as tanks and bins. Oil level switches play a crucial role in industries such as air compressors, hydraulics, and automotive control systems. Oil level switches are capable of measuring many media, including various oils such as vegetable oil, diesel, lubricants and fuel oil.
This article is about oil level switches.
What is an Oil Level Switch?
An oil level switch is an instrument that measures and controls the level of oil. An oil level switch controls the level of oil. It also has an alarm function. When the oil level is higher than the set value, the oil level switch sends a signal to stop the oil feeding. When the oil level is lower than the set value, the oil level switch sends a signal to start feeding oil.
Many industries have oil level switches. So the accurate control of oil level switches plays an important role in saving resources and improving efficiency.
Features:
- Support customization;
- High accuracy;
- Safe and reliable;
- Maintenance-free;
- Simple structure;
- Easy installation;
- Multiple output signals for selection;
- Low price;
- Adaptable to flammable, explosive, high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
Oil Level Switch Types
An oil level switch does not only refer to one kind of oil level switch. In fact, there are many kinds of oil level switches. The following is a detailed description of the various types of oil level switches.
Tuning Fork Oil Level Switches
Tuning Fork Level Switches work by using a pair of piezoelectric crystals mounted on a base to cause a tuning fork to vibrate at a certain resonant frequency. When the tuning fork of the tuning fork level switch is in contact with the measured medium, the frequency and amplitude of the tuning fork will change.
These changes in the tuning fork level switch are detected and processed by the intelligent circuit. And converted into a switch signal to achieve the purpose of a liquid level alarm or control. To allow the tuning fork to reach into the tank, the tuning fork switch is usually mounted to the side or top of the tank. It uses a flange or threaded process fitting.
Advantage: Vibrating tuning fork switches are truly immune to flow, bubbles, turbulence, foam, vibration, solids content, smearing, liquid characteristics, and product variations. They do not require calibration and can be installed with minimal installation effort.
Disadvantage: Tuning fork switches are not suitable for very viscous media. Material buildup between forks that results in the forks being connected will interfere with level detection.
Float Oil Level Switches
Float oil level switches are mainly designed and manufactured based on the principles of buoyancy and static magnetic fields. The position of the float with magnets in the measured medium is influenced by the buoyancy effect. Changes in liquid level lead to changes in the position of the magnetic float, i.e. the magnet in the float and the sensor (reed switch) act to produce a switching signal.
Advantages:
- Simple structure, not prone to failure.
- Sensitive response.
- Easy to use.
- Safe and reliable.
- Easy to maintain.
- One product can realize multi-point control.
Disadvantages:
- does not have a self-checking function.
- Regular inspection and maintenance are required.
- Poor measurement accuracy.
- Cannot work with viscosity < 0.8MPa*s.
- Requirements for pressure, density, and dielectric constant in the vessel.
- Installation requires a shutdown, tank cleaning, and hole opening.
Read More about: Industrial Float Level Switch for Level Control
Capacitive oil level switch
A Capacitive oil switch is a device that utilizes the principle of capacitance for oil level detection. It judges the liquid level high or low according to the capacitance change. And it realizes the liquid level control by measuring the capacitance value between the medium and the electrode.
Advantages:
It is an anti-hanging material, corrosion resistance. It can be applied to a variety of environments. such as plastic cement and other non-metallic tanks, acid and alkali resistance.
Disadvantages:
- difficult to calibrate
- poor accuracy
- dielectric constant needs to be >2
- The pressure, density, and dielectric constant requirements of the container
- The installation needs to stop production, clean tanks, and open holes.
Radar Oil Level Switch
The radar oil level switch is formed on the basis of a Radar level sensor. The radar emits electromagnetic waves, and the receiver captures the reflected signals. The microprocessor calculates the time difference to determine the oil level. When the oil level reaches the set value, the output status changes, triggering an alarm or control action.
Advantages
- Unaffected by changes in oil density, viscosity and other characteristics
- It is suitable for gasoline, diesel, LPG and other oils.
- Strong anti-interference
- not affected by oil vapor, foam, temperature and pressure fluctuations, high reliability.
- High precision, fast response, no mechanical parts, low maintenance.
Disadvantages
The initial cost is higher than float and tuning fork switches. Installation should avoid interference sources; otherwise, it is susceptible to interference.
Ultrasonic Oil Level Switches
Ultrasonic oil level switches work based on the propagation of ultrasonic waves. When ultrasonic waves propagate in air, they are severely attenuated. On the contrary, when propagating in liquids, the propagation of sound waves is greatly enhanced. The electronic control unit sends out a series of electrical signals, which are converted by the transducer into pulses of ultrasonic energy that propagate through the detected area. When a valid signal is received at the other end, a data valid signal is sent indicating the presence of liquid. This signal is delivered to a relay, which produces an output signal.
Advantages:
- The Ultrasonic level meter is a non-contact measurement method.
- A variety of sensor materials, built-in full-range temperature compensation.
- It is suitable for liquids that cannot be physically contacted.
Disadvantages:
- The viscosity of the measured medium can not be measured.
- It is affected by temperature. When the temperature is high, the propagation speed back to changes.
- The instrument response is slow, which will delay the alarm.
Sino-Inst Featured Oil Level Switch
Oil Level Switch Application
Oil Level Switch is used in the following scenarios due to its strong environmental adaptability and diverse categories.
Refrigeration Systems:
In refrigeration units, the lubrication of the compressor is critical. Oil level controllers prevent compressors from being damaged due to insufficient lubrication by monitoring the oil level, alarming and shutting down when the oil level is too low.
Oil level control for parallel units: Using the oil-air balancing method or oil level control method, the oil level of multiple compressors is ensured to be balanced through oil separators, oil reservoirs and oil level controllers.
Engine and Power Transmission System:
Oil Level Control: In automobiles and construction machinery, the oil level must be strictly controlled within the specified range. A low oil level can lead to insufficient lubrication and wear of parts. High oil levels may cause oil foaming and oxidation, affecting the lubrication effect.
Gearboxes and Transmissions:
Circulating and Splash Lubrication Systems: Gearboxes utilize a circulating or splash lubrication system. Improper control of the oil level may result in dry wear or insufficient lubrication of the bearings, resulting in damage to the equipment.
Pumps and Hydraulic Systems:
Oil Level Monitoring: Pumps and hydraulic systems need to maintain proper oil levels to ensure lubrication and cooling. Low oil levels can cause pumps to idle and damage internal parts.
Chemical and Energy Industry:
Lubricant and Hydraulic Oil Management: In chemical storage tanks, reactors and energy equipment, lubricant and hydraulic oil levels are monitored to prevent equipment damage due to a lack of oil.
Ships and Marine Equipment:
Bunker and Tank Level Monitoring: Using non-contact sensors such as ultrasonic level gauges, real-time monitoring of fuel and lubricant storage levels ensures the stability of ship navigation.
Agriculture and food processing:
Nutrient fluid and lubricant management: in agricultural equipment and food processing equipment, monitoring the level of nutrient fluid, lubricant oil, etc., to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
Power and Metallurgy:
Boiler and Blast Furnace Lubrication System: Monitoring the material level of fly ash, mineral powder and other materials, as well as the oil level of the lubrication system, to prevent equipment clogging and insufficient lubrication.
Sino-Inst Customized Case:
Our customer asked for a float level switch to measure vegetable oil. According to his requirements, we recommended the following solution:
Float Level Switch for Vegetable Oil
- Connection: 2-inch flange – Maximum Pressure 5kg/cm²
- Length = 1500 mm
- Length = 850 mm – Contact: Normally Open
- Length = 1350 mm – Contact: Normally Closed
How do I know if my oil level switch is bad?
A bad oil level switch will do the following
The oil level indicator does not light up. It does not accurately control the flow of material in and out of the tank. And the oil level switch sends out a fault message.
What is the level switch in the oil tank?
Measuring the height of an oil tank is a complex process. The choice of level switch depends on the shape, size and material of the tank. The nature of the oil also needs to be considered. The instruments we commonly use to control oil level are radar level switches, float level switches and tuning fork level switches.
Is an oil level switch important?
Oil level switches are certainly important. Oil level switches play a key role in monitoring and protecting equipment to ensure safe and stable operation.
In conclusion, there are various types of oil level switches, which are used in many occasions. I believe you already have a certain understanding of oil level switches after reading this post.
If you are choosing an oil level switch, then Sino-Inst will be the right choice for you. We have a complete range of oil level switches. We have twenty years of experience in the field of level control. Come and contact us! Our specialized technicians will recommend the right measurement solution for you.
