Fluid Components International’s dual alarm FLT93 Series flow switch provides an early warning alert to the potential of dry running conditions, cavitation and other pump issues that can lead to emergency shutdowns and costly maintenance.
The FLT93 Series flow switch reliably monitors the flow and temperature of liquids, gases, and slurries. – Image: Fluid Components International
FCI’s FLT93 Series flow switch reliably monitors the flow and temperature of liquids, gases, and slurries. It is designed for pump wet/dry detection, where sudden, unexpected reductions in media flow rates can leave pumps vulnerable to over-heating conditions that shutdown process lines and require troubleshooting and fixing. The SIL2 rated instrument is intended for heavy-duty, potentially hazardous process industry environments and comes with a comprehensive list of global safety approvals.
It has a no moving parts design and offers a robust scheme for pump protection with its dual alarm capability. With Alarm 1, the switch detects a low flow situation anywhere between 0.01 and 3 ft per second FPS (0.003–0.9 m per second MPS). This low flow alarm is a pre-warning signal for the control system or operator who can then decide to keep the pump running or to shut it down.
If an Alarm 2 occurs because the feed line to the pump is running dry, this would be an emergency signal to shut down the pump immediately because the bearings now see gas instead of a liquid as a heat transfer media. In such situations, the temperature of the bearings may rise very fast. Using a flow switch prevents permanent damage to the pump’s bearings.
