Sensors & Transducers


Chemically resistant capacitive sensors

July 2002 Sensors & Transducers

The new PT30 and KT34 PVDF capacitive sensors from Turck are barrel-style sensors that have been designed for use in applications having harsh chemical environments. Constructed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), the housing, cable, cord grip and mounting brackets of the new sensors are immune to damage from contact with most industrial-use chemicals. Capacitive sensors reliably detect all metallic and nonmetallic materials, including water, metal, wood, glass, cardboard, plastic, concrete block, glue, thin wire, silicon wafers and numerous other materials.

The sensors are suitable for demanding applications such as wafer fabrication and caustic washdown in industries including semiconductor, food/beverage, sewage treatment, chemical handling, paint and adhesives.

The devices feature a potentiometer for simple sensitivity adjustment and achieve considerable sensing ranges. The 30 mm diameter, threaded barrel PT30 models provide a 10 mm sensing range with repeatability œ 2% of rated operating distance, even when completely embedded in steel. The 34 mm diameter, smooth barrel non-embeddable KT34 models achieve a 20 mm sensing range with the same repeatability rating.

Powered from 10 to 65 V d.c., the 4-wire devices include highly visible green and yellow LEDs that indicate 'power on' and 'output energised'. Both models feature complementary outputs, one normally-open and one normally-closed, with either NPN (sinking) or PNP (sourcing) configurations. These are also equipped with integral protection against short-circuit, overload, wire-break, reverse polarity and transient voltages.

Compensation electrodes minimise false outputs due to contamination on the sensor face. The compensation circuitry ignores splashing water and dust build-up, which are common in capacitive sensor applications.

The new sensors, available in flush and nonflush mounting styles, include a potted-in 2 m PVDF-jacketed, PVC-insulated cable with an aluminiumised polyester shield and drain wire. These durable devices operate in temperatures from -25° to +70°C, and meet IEC IP67 environmental standards.

For more information contact Rodney Topham, RET Automation Controls, tel: 011 453 2468, e-mail: [email protected]



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