{"id":11992,"date":"2021-09-16T10:15:26","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T08:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/?p=11992"},"modified":"2023-02-02T13:14:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-02T12:14:04","slug":"what-do-dead-bands-mean-with-a-float-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/knowhow\/what-do-dead-bands-mean-with-a-float-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"What do dead bands mean with a float switch?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Float switches with reed contacts enable both reliable and economical level measurement. Accordingly, they are used in a wide variety of applications. As with all level sensors using the float principle, users must pay attention to the dead bands when configuring the float switches. What is this design-related variable all about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A float switch, essentially, consists of a hollow body (float), a guide tube, an electrical output and a process connection. The float is designed for buoyancy in the respective liquid. Thus, it always moves on the guide tube in line with the level. In order to detect its level, float switches, such as the instruments of the RLS series from WIKA, work with reed contacts.<\/p>\n

Float switches operate potential-free<\/h2>\n

The reed contacts are mounted in the guide tube. They are closed or opened by a ring magnet in the float. The switching is carried out potential-free.<\/p>\n

The float switches of the RLS series can be fitted with up to four switch points. Their positions can be distributed along the guide tube as required. However, the user must first ensure that the magnet of the float actually “passes over” the reed contact. But this is not possible over the entire guide tube length. This limitation can be explained as follows:<\/p>\n\n

In the case of a float switch with reed contacts, such as the model RLS-2000 shown here, the dead bands T1 and T2 must be taken into account when determining the switch points on the guide tube.<\/p><\/div>\n \n