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Brand: Barksdale
Barksdale BFS-10 Variable Area Flow Switch for Liquids
Description
A magnetic variable area flow switch for cooling circuits and pump protection
The Barksdale BFS-10 is a flow switch for liquids that works on the variable area principle: flow lifts a piston against a spring and a magnet on the piston operates the switching element. The set point is continuously adjustable, hysteresis is low, and the switch can be mounted in any position. Two versions are listed: BFS-10-N without indication and BFS-10-O with an optical flow indication. Barksdale quotes an accuracy of plus or minus 10 percent of full scale and lists ship approvals for the N versions.
Applications named in the datasheet are measuring and monitoring of liquids in cooling systems, test beds, pump protection and fire-fighting sprinkler systems. A flow switch of this kind is used to stop a pump or machine if coolant or lube flow drops below the set minimum.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Measuring principle | Variable area flow meter with magnetic switching |
| Versions | BFS-10-N without indication; BFS-10-O with optical indication |
| Connection sizes | G1/4, G1/2, G1 |
| Water range overall | 0.005 to 0.06 l/min up to 60 to 150 l/min |
| Materials | Brass version (nickel-plated brass fitting and housing) or stainless steel 1.4571; ferrite magnets; Duran 50 glass on BFS-10-O |
| Operating pressure, N version | Brass 300 bar (G1/4, G1/2), 250 bar (G1); stainless steel 350 bar, 350 bar, 300 bar |
| Operating pressure, O version | 16 bar (G1/4, G1/2); 10 bar (G1) |
| Pressure drop | 0.02 to 0.2 bar (G1/4); 0.02 to 0.3 bar (G1/2); 0.02 to 0.4 bar (G1) |
| Operating temperature | 100 C standard; 160 C with HT option |
| Accuracy | +/-10% of full scale |
| Electrical connection | Plug to DIN EN 175301-803 (DIN 43650C); IP65, IP67 with moulded cable |
| Approvals | ATEX, GL, BV and others on request, see manufacturer site; no ATEX on optical version |
Sizes, materials and flow ranges
Three connection sizes are offered, G1/4, G1/2 and G1, in a brass version (nickel-plated brass fitting and housing, brass or 1.4571 internals) or a stainless steel version (1.4571). Water switch ranges in litres per minute, as printed:
| Size | Switch ranges, water (l/min) |
|---|---|
| G1/4 | 0.005 to 0.06; 0.04 to 0.13; 0.1 to 0.6; 0.2 to 1.2; 0.4 to 2.0; 0.5 to 3.0; 2.0 to 5.0 |
| G1/2 | 0.02 to 0.2; 0.2 to 0.6; 0.4 to 1.8; 0.8 to 3.2; 2.0 to 7.0; 3.0 to 13; 4.0 to 20; 8.0 to 30 |
| G1 | 10 to 30; 15 to 45; 20 to 60; 30 to 90; 60 to 150 |
The BFS-10-O optical version has its own range list, for example 0.2 to 0.5 and 8 to 20 l/min on G1/2, so check the datasheet page for the indicating version. The pressure drop across the switch is 0.02 to 0.2 bar on G1/4, 0.02 to 0.3 bar on G1/2 and 0.02 to 0.4 bar on G1.
Pressure, temperature and contacts
Operating pressure of the BFS-10-N is 300 bar (G1/4 and G1/2) and 250 bar (G1) in brass, and 350 bar (G1/4 and G1/2) and 300 bar (G1) in stainless steel. The optical BFS-10-O is rated 16 bar on G1/4 and G1/2 and 10 bar on G1. Operating temperature is 100 C as standard or 160 C with the HT option. Contacts are normally open or SPDT changeover through a plug to DIN EN 175301-803 (formerly DIN 43650C); the ratings printed include 200 V, 1 A, 20 VA on the smaller sizes and 230 V, 3 A, 60 VA, 250 V, 1.5 A, 50 VA and 250 V, 3 A, 100 VA on others, so read the table for the exact size and contact. Protection is IP65 with the plug and IP67 with a moulded cable.
Selection and what to confirm before ordering
Pick the range so the required minimum flow sits inside the adjustable window, and remember that the stated ranges are for water; other fluids shift the point. Confirm the connection size, brass or stainless steel body, whether you need the optical indication, the operating temperature (HT option for up to 160 C), the contact type and any approval such as ATEX, GL or BV, which the datasheet says to check on the Barksdale site (ATEX is not available on the optical version). The attached file is the two-page Barksdale datasheet. More flow instruments are in flow indicators and switches; send the size, range and fluid for a quotation.
Datasheets & Documents
- Datasheet Barksdale BFS-10-N and BFS-10-O flow switch datasheet (2 pp) Download
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About brand
Barksdale is an American manufacturer of pressure, temperature and level controls, founded in 1949 and based in Los Angeles, California. It also manufactures in Reichelsheim, Germany, through Barksdale GmbH. Barksdale is a business of Crane Company and makes switches and sensors for hydraulics, oil and gas, power generation and transportation.
Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat. We list Barksdale instruments, each with its official datasheet, for hydraulic, compressor and process users in Oman and the GCC.
Barksdale company profile
| Founded | 1949, Los Angeles, California, USA |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| European plant | Reichelsheim, Germany (Barksdale GmbH) |
| Ownership | Crane Company |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 14001:2015 |
| Product families | Pressure switches, temperature switches, float and level switches, pressure transducers, speed sensors and pressure control valves, including explosion-proof versions for hazardous areas |
Milestones
- 1949: Barksdale is founded in Los Angeles.
- Today: Barksdale manufactures in Los Angeles and Reichelsheim as part of Crane Company.
Barksdale product series
Mechanical pressure switches include the compact 96201 series, the D1T diaphragm switch with terminal block and the B1S Bourdon tube switch for higher pressures. Electronic switches with display include the BPS3000 dual pressure switch, the BDS3000 differential pressure switch, the BLS3000 level switch and the BTS3000 temperature switch, several with IO-Link.
Level products include the UNS2000 multi-level float switch and the USE3000 tank level transmitter for lengths up to 3000 mm, and the BFS-10 is a variable area flow switch for liquids.
Where Barksdale instruments are used
Hydraulic power units, compressors, lube and fuel oil skids, engines, cooling circuits, coolant and hydraulic tanks on machine tools and general process equipment.
Barksdale products we list
Ordering Barksdale instruments: what we need
Send the full model code, the range, process connection, wetted materials, electrical connection and switching or output type. We check the series, range code and options against the manufacturer datasheet before quoting.
Facts checked against Barksdale's company profile and trade directories, October 2026.
Browse Barksdale products by category: Pressure Instrumentation, Level Instrumentation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What medium is the BFS-10 intended for?
Liquids; the printed switch ranges are for water.
What connection sizes are available?
G1/4, G1/2 and G1.
What accuracy is stated?
Plus or minus 10 percent of full scale.
What is the difference between BFS-10-N and BFS-10-O?
The O version adds an optical flow indication and has lower pressure ratings; the N version has no indication.
What operating temperature applies?
100 C as standard and 160 C with the HT option.
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