Questions on Level Switches

Vibrating Level Switch

Some level switches use a vibrating rod or paddle to sense the presence of liquids or solids at a specific point.

Explain how such vibrating level switches work, in as much detail as you can.

Hint: sometimes these switches are known as tuning fork switches if they use two balanced paddles to sense the presence of liquid or solid material.

Also identify potential problems with this type of “point-level” detector caused by improper installation.

Answer

These switches use an electronic circuit to vibrate the rod or paddle, then trigger their output signal upon sensing the dampening of that vibration caused by the presence of liquid or solid immersion.

Potential problems include:

Rotating Paddle Level Switch

Some level switches use a motor-rotated paddle to sense the presence of solids at a specific point.

Explain how such “rotating paddle” level switches work, in as much detail as you can.

Also identify potential problems with this type of “point-level” detector caused by improper installation.

Answer

Level is detected when the paddle (or motor) torque exceeds a pre-set limit.

Potential problems include paddle fouling and seized paddle shaft bearings.

Nuclear Level Switch

One form of non-contact level switch utilizes nuclear radiation to sense the absence or presence of level within a vessel, either liquid or solid.

Briefly explain how these level switches work.

Answer

Some nuclear level switches work by sensing the blockage of radiation due to process level, others by the “backscattering” (reflection) of radiation by the process level.

Delayed coker drum level detection (in the oil refining industry) is one notable application of the latter technique, where hydrocarbons’ property of reflecting neutron radiation more than other substances is the primary detection characteristic.

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Read Next:

• Tank Level Switches
• Float Level Switch Principle
• Paddle Wheel Level Switch
• What is a Limit Switch ?
• Pressure Switch Questions

Credits: Tony R. Kuphaldt