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Level indicators: which process connection to choose.

10/03/2021

The choice of the type of connection to be used for a process control instrument depends on several factors and it is often necessary to adapt the instrument to the plant. Having a wide choice of options, as proposed by CAMLogic, is essential to facilitate installation both for plant designers and manufacturers and for those who carry out the related maintenance.

CAMLogic has several types of connections to process for its instruments: male thread, flange or tri-clamp.

The threaded version is generally preferred for its low cost and ease of installation. In fact only a sleeve welded to the process is needed for installation. Furthermore, the thread is easily adapted through the use of reductions, which allow for the simple resizing of the mechanical coupling.

Installation by means of a flange, on the other hand, carries the advantage of an increased size of the fitting hole. Consequently it is possible to insert oversized paddles, which allow a more accurate and precise detection of light materials. In case of a coupling through thread, instead, paddles would need to be installed through direct access from the inside of the container.

The use of a flange simplifies the paddle insertion, however it also requires additional mechanical processing, such as the preparation of a counter flange on the container and the relative sealing gasket.

In some special applications, due to high temperatures and the need to discharge the condensation created, the use of a flange is required to apply the thermal spacers and thus isolate the electrical part of the instrument from the natural heat transfer.

Lastly, one more possible option, generally preferred in plants for handling and storage of food products, is the connection with tri-clamp. As in the case of the connection with the flange, the tri-clamp allows quick and easy removal of the instrument without disconnecting the cabling and therefore the usual cleaning and sanitizing procedures are sped up.

As for the material, both flange and thread are generally available in aluminum or stainless steel. The latter facilitates the installation on containers of the same material, is more resistant to corrosion and does not exceed the global migration limits required if in contact with food. Precisely for this reason, the connection to the process via tri-clamp is only available in stainless steel.

CAMLogic developed, in over 50 years of experience in the process instrumentation sector, a wide range of connections to meet the needs of its customers.

Any questions? Contact us