BinMaster product sheet: Capacitance: PROCAP I 3-A


  • Meets 3-A and USDA Standards, conforming to the food industry’s most demanding requirements for material, surfaces, and clean-in-place construction. This probe is designed for quick disconnect from tank to facilitate ease of inspection and cleaning.
  • “Quick-Set” simple calibration   
  • Visual LED indicates sensor status: uncovered, covered or power failure
  • Triple thread screw-off cover
  • Universal power supply
  • Dual conduit entrance
  • Unsurpassed sensitivity 0.5 pF 
  • PRO-Shield compensates for  material build-up
  • Operates below RF range, temperature stable calibration and protection from RF interference
  • Fail-Safe, switch selectable high/low
  • Adjustable time delay to 30 seconds

Principle of Operations
The PROCAP Series capacitance probes use
advanced integrated circuit technology operating at low frequency to achieve both high sensitivity and stable calibration. The probe uses a simple timing technique that compares the discharge time of the probe capacitance to that of a reference capacitance. The probes outstanding stability results from several factors. (1)  A single integrated circuit makes the critical timing comparison. Temperature variations have an equal effect on the timing of both the probe and reference and, therefore, cancel. (2) The time interval at which the discharge comparison is repeated is not involved in the sensing process, making calibration independent of oscillator frequency and stability. (3) Both the probe and the reference capacitance discharge are from a common voltage level. This makes calibration insensitive to power supply voltage variations. (4) Equal internal capacitance in both the probe and reference circuitry make any temperature dependent changes to these components values cancel. In addition, these internal capacitors have zero temperature coefficients and are physically located together to assure they are at equal temperatures.  Calibration stability, along with, static discharge survival, and RF immunity are three of the main reasons why BinMaster probes out perform the competition.

No Plant Interference
BinMaster’s PROCAP Series capacitance sensors provide high sensitivity and accurate level detection without using radio frequency (RF) signals. According to the Federal Communications Commission, signals in excess of 9 KHz are classified as “RF” and are prone to radiate. Competitive capacitance sensors which emit RF signals may interfere with nearby electronic plant equipment. Conversely, some competitive sensors utilizing RF are themselves susceptible to interference from other RF sources and may not function properly when a device such as a two way radio is operated near them. The BinMaster PROCAP Series are completely immune to such interference issues.

Quick-Set" Calibration
Calibrating PROCAP Series sensors is made simple and precise with the Quick-Set design. Two single turn potentiometers are used to calibrate the sensor once it is installed in the vessel. One potentiometer labeled “fine” is set to the desired sensitivity for the vessel material. However, material does not need to be present when calibrating PROCAP Series sensors.  And that’s it. Two quick turns and the sensor will maintain precise calibration and dependable operation even throughout temperature changes.

Pro-Shield Prevents False Readings
PROCAP Series sensors feature PRO-Shield to guard against false readings from build-up on the probe or bridging between the sidewall and the probe.  The shield is a portion of the probe that emits a non-sensing signal that forces the active signal to examine a large area around the probe.  The PRO-Shield allows the PROCAP Series sensors to be used in vessels storing a wide variety of dusty, sticky, or clinging materials.

Time Delay Minimizes False Signals
The PROCAP Series time delay feature minimizes false signals from sudden material shifts or splashing liquids caused by pro- cess activities.  The time delay operates by “delaying” a set period of time prior to acknowledging the signal for a change in the presence or absence of material.  The time delay is simple to adjust and may be set up to 30 seconds.

New Fail-Safe Protection
PROCAP series capacitance sensors feature fail-safe protection to eliminate process accidents caused by a power failure.  A high/low selectable switch allows the sensor to be set for fail-safe high or fail-safe low.

Applications
BinMaster’s PROCAP Series capacitance sensors are designed for industries’ wide array of applications. PROCAP Series sensors may be used in solid, liquid and slurry materials.  The sensors may be used for high and low level detection in bins, silos, tanks, hoppers, chutes and other vessels where material is stored, processed or discharged. A few Common PROCAP series material Application include:

Milk Products

Food

Pharmaceuticals

PROCAP I 3-A


Probe Options

Specifications: PROCAP I 3-A
Power Requirements: 24 to 240 VAC or VDC Universal Power Supply
Output Relay: DPDT 10 Amp at 250 VAC
Ambient Temperature
Electronics:
Sensor:
-40° to +185°F (-40° to +85°C)
+250°F (+121°C) Delrin / +500°F (+260°C) Teflon
Pressure: 500 PSI, 3/4" Mount
Sensitivity Setting: Adjustable Sensitivity to < 1 Picofarad
Calibration: "Quick Set" Course/Fine
Single Turn Potentiometers
Fail-Safe: Switch Selectable High/Low
Time Delay: Adjustable up to 30 seconds
Enclosure: Cast Aluminum, Threaded Cover,
USDA Approved Powder Coated Finish
Conduit Entry: ¾" NPT
Mounting: 1" or 2" Sanitary 316 SS Fitting
Pro Shield: Compensates For Material Build-up
On Sensing Probe
Approval Ratings: C/US listed for Class II, Groups E, F, G. Enclosure type NEMA 4X, 5, 9 &12
Status Indicator: Visual LED Indicates Sensor Status:
Uncovered, Covered and Power Failure
Probe Options:

All Delrin Sleeved Style Probes