Preventing the ingress of moisture through the cable of submersible pressure transmitters and level probes?

If you need to measure the degree of a liquid easily and reliably, most people can do this using hydrostatic pressure measurement, e.g. with a submersible pressure transmitter or perhaps a so called level probe. The characteristic submersed application implicates a maximum exposure to the encompassing, mainly water-based medium, respectively to ?moisture?.
Exposure isn’t just limited by the wetted elements of the pressure sensor housing, but additionally to the entire immersed amount of the cable. Furthermore, outside the directly immersed level probe parts, the cable, and specifically the cable end, tend to be exposed to moisture because of splash water, rain and condensation. diaphragm seal is true not only during operation, but a lot more during installation and commissioning, or when maintenance or retrofitting is necessary. Irrespective of the target application, whether in water and wastewater treatment or in tank monitoring, moisture ingress in to the cable ends of the submersible pressure transmitter can occur early and irreversibly with insufficient protection measures, and, in almost all cases, lead to premature failure of the instrument.
The ingress of moisture into the cable outlet and from there on downwards in to the electronics of the particular level probe must be actively eliminated by preventive actions by an individual. To measure the level with highest accuracy, the varying ambient pressure above the liquid media, which is also ? ไดอะแฟรม ซีล ? on เพรสเชอร์เกจ , must be compensated against the hydrostatic pressure acting on the pressure sensor (see article: hydrostatic level measurement).
Ventilation tube
Thus, it really is logical that there is a constant threat of a moisture-related failure due to moisture ingress (both via the ventilation tube and through the specific cable itself) if there are no adequate precautionary measures. To pay the ambient pressure ?resting? on the media, a ventilation tube runs from the sensor element within the particular level probe, through the cable and from the level probe by the end of the cable. Due to capillary action within the ventialation tube used for ambient pressure compensation, moisture can also be transported from the encompassing ambience right down to the sensor.
Thus not only air, but also moisture penetrates in to the tube, hence the sensor in the probe and the electronics around it really is irreparably damaged. This can result in measurement errors and, in the worst case, even to failure of the level probe. To avoid any premature failure, the ingress of moisture in to the ventilation tube must be completely prevented. Additional protection against moisture penetration through the ventilation tube is provided by fitting an air-permeable, but water-impermeable filter element by the end of the vent tube.
bare wires
Never to be ignored is also the transport of the liquid through high-humidity loads across the only limitedly protected internals of the cable, e.g. across the wires, completely down to the submersible pressure transmitter. As a leading manufacturer, WIKA uses appropriate structural design to prevent fluid transport, so far as possible, in to the electronics of the submersible pressure transmitter. Because of molecular diffusion and capillary effects, a guaranteed one-hundred percent protection over the full lifetime of the submersible pressure transmitter, however, is never achievable.
It is therefore recommended that the cable is definitely terminated in a waterproof junction box with the appropriate IP protection (e.g. IP65) which is matched to the installation location. If this cable junction box is subjected to weather and varying temperature conditions, it is also recommended to pay attention to a controlled pressure equalisation so as to prevent the formation of condensation or perspiration water and pumping effects. To handle this technical requirement, being an accessory to a submersible pressure transmitter, you’ll be able to order a connection box with an integrated air-permeable, water-impermeable membrane.
Ultimately, moisture ingress can happen not only through the exposed end of the cable, but also through mechanical harm to the cable sheath or because of liquid diffusion due to improper chemical resistance of the cable material. In the article ?Selection criteria for the prevention of moisture-related failures of submersible pressure transmitters or level probes? this failure mode is described in detail.
WIKA offers comprehensive solutions for your hydrostatic-pressure level measurement. For further assistance in selecting the submersible pressure transmitter most suitable for your application, please use our contact form.
Please find further information with this topic on our information platform ?Hydrostatic level measurement?

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