Endress+Hauser FTL63 Liquiphant Premium Hygienic Level Switch

Endress+Hauser FTL63 Liquiphant premium hygienic level switch

The Endress+Hauser FTL63 is the premium hygienic Liquiphant vibronic point level switch. It is developed for food, beverage and life-science processes and combines a modular housing, a pipe extension up to 3 m and an extended list of certificates and functions, including density and concentration measurement variants and safety-integrity capability. In the same family as the FTL43 it detects liquid with a tuning fork, but the FTL63 targets applications where more diagnostics, more approvals and longer probes are needed. Seven Star LLC supplies the FTL63 in Oman and the GCC as an independent supplier in Muscat and quotes it against your process and communication needs.

FTL63 technical specifications

How the FTL63 works and what it can report

The fork is excited by a piezo element, and the electronics evaluate frequency and amplitude. Covered by liquid, the frequency drops and the output switches. Because the evaluation is digital, the FTL63 also provides diagnostics, Heartbeat Technology functions for in-place verification and, in versions that include a density selection switch, behaviour for liquids above 0.7 g/cm³. The wide choice of electronics covers HART and PROFINET over Ethernet-APL (10BASE-T1L), with PROFINET PA Profile 4.02 diagnostics.

FTL63 data: temperature, pressure and ranges

Process temperature is −50 to +150 °C and pressure ranges from vacuum to 64 bar. Minimum density is 0.5 g/cm³ (0.4 g/cm³ optional). Ambient temperature is −40 to +70 °C up to a process temperature of +90 °C, reduced beyond that. The supply is DC 10.5 to 35 V for non-Ex, Ex d and Ex e versions and DC 10.5 to 30 V for Ex i. The HART output offers SIO mode 8/16 mA or 4 to 20 mA with NAMUR NE43 alarm levels as factory setting. Wetted parts are 316L (1.4404 or 1.4435) with the fork in 1.4435.

Functional safety and approvals of the FTL63

When ordered with HART, the device was developed to IEC 61508 and is suitable for overfill and dry-run protection systems up to SIL 2, or SIL 3 with homogeneous redundancy. The manufacturer publishes a separate Functional Safety Manual. Explosion-protection data are issued as separate Ex documents with the device, and hazardous-area versions are covered by those documents; do not assume an Ex rating without checking the product order code. Hygienic certificates and materials conformity (3-A, EHEDG, ASME BPE, EC 1935/2004, FDA) are listed in the document.

Choosing the FTL63 version and connection

Select the electronics, housing, extension length (up to 3 m), surface finish (mechanical or electropolished) and process connection. The hygienic range includes Clamp, Varivent, DIN 11851, aseptic unions and flanges. Check whether you need the density and concentration version and whether the LED module or Bluetooth operation should be included.

Installing and testing the FTL63

Place the fork where it is wetted reliably in the intended switching state and keep it out of strong flow and filling streams. In pipes the fork direction mark must align with the flow so the liquid drains from the fork. For safety functions follow the proof-test and commissioning procedure in the safety manual, including a documented test of the switching function after installation and at regular intervals.

FTL63 applications in Oman and the GCC

Premium hygienic switches are used on dairy and beverage tanks, aseptic lines, pharmaceutical mixing vessels and CIP return lines. Where the plant needs a certified overfill protection on a hygienic tank, the SIL-rated FTL63 with HART fits better than the compact FTL43. In hot climates the ambient limit of 70 °C with reduction at high process temperature matters for sun-exposed tanks; use a sun shield.

FTL63 relationship to the FTL43 and FTL64

The FTL63 offers a longer extension (3 m versus 1.5 m), SIL capability, density and concentration options and PROFINET over Ethernet-APL. The FTL43 targets compact installations, and the FTL64 is aimed at higher-temperature industrial service. Select by process and approval, not by name.

Information to send with an FTL63 RFQ

• Medium, density and viscosity range
• Process temperature, pressure, cleaning cycle
• Probe length and connection type
• HART or PROFINET over Ethernet-APL
• SIL, Ex and hygienic certificate needs
• Quantity and delivery location

Maintenance of the FTL63 and proof testing

Inspect the fork and process seal at every shutdown, record the nameplate order code, and keep a spare seal on site. Where the FTL63 is part of a safety function, schedule the proof test interval defined in the safety manual and keep the results with your plant records.

If a replacement is needed, a device with the same order code can be fitted and the switching point re-verified in the same way as at first commissioning.

Documents and quotation

A copy of the manufacturer technical information for the FTL63 is attached on this page so you can check ranges, connections and ordering codes against your specification. The attached document is the HART, PROFIBUS and related electronics version of the technical information.

Send the full order code or the process data (fluid, temperature, pressure, line size or tank data, output and approvals) and Seven Star LLC will prepare a quotation and confirm lead time. We are an independent supplier in Muscat and do not represent the manufacturer.