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Brand: Endress+Hauser (E & H)
Endress+Hauser FTI55 Solicap M Rod Level Switch for Solids
Description
FTI55 Solicap M rod-probe capacitance level switch for bulk solids
The Endress+Hauser FTI55 is a Solicap M capacitance point level switch for powders, granules and lumpy bulk solids. A rigid rod of up to 4 m projects into a silo or hopper and the switch responds when the material covers it. The FTI55 is designed for hard duty: the datasheet quotes a lateral load capacity of up to 300 Nm on the rod, which is what makes it suited to silos where material avalanches and flows against the probe. Seven Star LLC supplies the FTI55 in Oman and the GCC as an independent supplier in Muscat.
The FTI55 is part of a three-model Solicap range. The FTI55 uses a rod, the FTI56 a long rope for tall silos, and the FTI77 a ceramic-supported probe for temperatures up to 400 °C. The right choice follows from silo height, temperature and the lateral loads expected.
FTI55 technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / part number | Endress+Hauser / FTI55 (Solicap M point level switch, rod probe, bulk solids) |
| Measuring principle | Capacitive point level detection in bulk solids with εr of 2.5 or more |
| Process temperature | –50 to +180 °C (–58 to +356 °F); fully insulated probe limited to +80 °C |
| Process pressure | –1 to 25 bar (–14.5 to 362.5 psi), limited by flange rating and derating curves |
| Ambient temperature (housing) | –50 to +70 °C; –40 °C minimum for the polyester F16 housing |
| Probe rod | 18 mm diameter (26 mm with insulation); total length 200 to 4,000 mm without inactive length, up to 6,000 mm with it |
| Lateral load capacity | 300 Nm (221 lbf ft) at 20 °C; 200 Nm with active build-up compensation |
| Inactive length | 200 to 2,000 mm optional, for nozzle mounting or condensate |
| Active build-up compensation | 36 mm diameter, 125 mm long section, optional |
| Measuring frequency and span | 500 kHz; ΔC = 5 to 1,600 pF (FEI58: 5 to 500 pF) |
| Switch point uncertainty | Max. ±0.3 %, repeatability max. ±0.1 % (DIN 61298-2) |
| Wetted materials | 316L rod and fixtures, PPS (partial insulation) or PE with galvanised steel (full insulation), steel process connection option |
| Weight | About 4 kg for housing and connection, plus 2 kg per metre of 18 mm rod |
| Supply | Depends on insert: 19–253 V AC, 10–55 V DC PNP, 8/16 mA, PFM, NAMUR |
Measuring principle of the FTI55 in bulk solids
The rod and the grounded silo wall act as the plates of a capacitor. A bulk solid with a dielectric constant of 2.5 or more increases the capacitance when it covers the rod, and the electronic insert switches at the calibrated threshold. For concrete or plastic silos, a metal counter-electrode is needed: the datasheet describes a grounded steel plate at least 300 mm in size for concrete walls and a plate of about 500 mm for plastic walls, and a ground tube serves as counter-electrode in non-conductive containers.
Two construction features matter for dusty materials. An inactive length keeps the sensing section clear of the nozzle, so condensation or residue in a long threaded coupling does not switch the output. Active build-up compensation measures coatings on the rod and removes their effect, which helps with caking products such as cement or flour. For control of a screw conveyor, a rod can be calibrated with separate on and off points (two-point control); partially insulated rods are only used for this with non-conductive solids.
Typical media named in the datasheet include sand, gravel, lime, cement, plaster, grain, flour, dolomite, kaolin, pumice, crushed ore and fodder. A higher dielectric constant allows a longer measuring range: up to 4 m above DK 10, 12 m between 5 and 10, and 20 m between 2 and 5.
Probe variants available for the FTI55
| Version | Notes |
|---|---|
| Partially insulated rod | Length of partial insulation 75 mm, max. process temperature 180 °C |
| Fully insulated rod | PE insulation over galvanised steel, max. process temperature 80 °C |
| Inactive length version | 300 to 6,000 mm total length, for mounting nozzles and ceiling condensate |
| Active build-up compensation | 225 to 4,000 mm total length, lateral load 200 Nm |
Electronic inserts for the FTI55
| Electronic insert | Role with the FTI55 |
|---|---|
| FEI51 | Two-wire AC, load in series, thyristor switching, 19–253 V AC, residual current below 3.8 mA |
| FEI52 | Three-wire DC PNP, 10–55 V DC, up to 350 mA load, short-circuit protected |
| FEI53 | Three-wire DC signal for a separate Nivotester FTC325 3-WIRE, supply 14.5 V DC |
| FEI54 | Universal 19–253 V AC or 19–55 V DC, relay output with two floating changeover contacts (DPDT) |
| FEI55 | Two-wire 8/16 mA signal for a separate switching unit such as RMA42, SIL2 hardware / SIL3 software approval |
| FEI57S | PFM current-pulse signal for a Nivotester FTC325 PFM, with remote self-test |
| FEI58 | NAMUR two-wire (IEC 60947-5-6) for a Nivotester FTL325N type switching unit |
Selecting the FTI55: checklist
- Material, particle size and dielectric constant: below 2.5 the capacitance change may be too small.
- Conductivity: conductive materials need fully insulated rods, non-conductive ones can use partial insulation.
- Process temperature at the probe, remembering that fully insulated PE is limited to 80 °C.
- Silo wall material and counter-electrode arrangement.
- Mounting position and nozzle length, which determines inactive length needs.
- Expected lateral load from sliding material, within 300 Nm.
- Output, supply voltage, hazardous-area zone and any SIL requirement; approvals depend on the version.
Installing and maintaining the FTI55
Mount the FTI55 from above or from the side, away from the filling curtain so that incoming product does not hit the rod. Keep at least 500 mm between probes, and do not let the rod touch the metal wall. For side mounting, the datasheet recommends a protective cover above the rod against collapsing mounds, a slight downward angle so that material slides off, and an internally welded coupling when light build-up forms on the wall. Insulate the outside of the silo wall where condensation could form around the nozzle or exceed the housing temperature.
In service, the FTI55 needs little attention. Check the rod for abrasion of the insulation, clear heavy deposits, and confirm the switch point after any change of product. Calibration is done by a push-button at the probe, and a replacement insert can be fitted without full recalibration. Keep a spare insert, a protective cover and surge arresters, which are listed accessories.
Where the FTI55 is used in Oman and the GCC
Bulk solids move through cement plants, aggregate and sand operations, lime and gypsum handling, grain and fodder storage, and mineral processing across Oman and the Gulf. In these plants the FTI55 protects silos from overfilling and from running empty, and signals conveyors and feeders. Abrasive sand and clinker, high ambient heat and fine dust make the robust rod and the sealed IP66/IP67 housing a practical match.
Solicap range: where the FTI55 sits
| Model | Key point |
|---|---|
| FTI55 | Rod up to 4 m, 180 °C, 25 bar, lateral load up to 300 Nm |
| FTI56 | Rope up to about 20 m, 180 °C partially insulated, 120 °C fully insulated |
| FTI77 | Sword or rope on ceramic support, up to 400 °C, 10 bar |
Information to send with an RFQ for the FTI55
- Bulk material, grain size, dielectric constant and abrasiveness
- Silo diameter and height, wall material and nozzle size
- Switch point position and whether side or top mounting
- Process temperature and pressure
- Probe length, insulation type and inactive length or build-up compensation
- Output type, supply and hazardous-area class
- Quantity and delivery site
Documents and quotation
A datasheet for the FTI55 is attached on this page. It is the Technical Information for the Solicap M FTI55 and includes dimensional drawings, temperature curves and electronic-insert data.
Send the part number FTI55 with your silo details and we will confirm availability and lead time for Oman and the GCC.
Datasheets & Documents
- Datasheet Endress+Hauser FTI55 Datasheet Download
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About brand
Endress+Hauser makes process measurement instruments for flow, level, pressure, temperature and liquid analysis. Georg H. Endress and Ludwig Hauser started the business in Lörrach, Germany, on 1 February 1953, first selling level meters, and the Endress+Hauser name has been used since 1957. The group is headquartered in Reinach, Switzerland, and has been wholly owned by the Endress family since 1975.
Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier listing Endress+Hauser flowmeters, level and pressure transmitters, temperature assemblies and liquid analysis products for buyers in Oman and the GCC. Instruments are matched from the full order code on the nameplate.
Endress+Hauser company profile
| Origin | Founded in Lörrach, Germany, on 1 February 1953 by the Swiss engineer Georg H. Endress and Ludwig Hauser |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Endress+Hauser AG, Reinach (Basel-Landschaft), Switzerland |
| Ownership | Family owned; the Endress family has been the sole shareholder since 1975, and a family charter commits the company to stay family owned |
| Size | About 16,500 employees and sales of about EUR 3.7 billion (2023, as reported by the company) |
| Product families | Proline flowmeters, Micropilot and Levelflex radar, Liquiphant switches, Cerabar and Deltabar pressure, iTEMP and iTHERM temperature, Liquiline and Memosens liquid analysis |
Milestones
- 1953: Georg H. Endress and Ludwig Hauser start the business in Lörrach on 1 February, first selling level meters.
- 1957: The Endress+Hauser name comes into use.
- 1975: The Endress family becomes sole shareholder.
- 2023: About 16,500 employees and sales of about EUR 3.7 billion, as reported by the company.
Endress+Hauser product lines
| Line | Measuring principle | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Promass F 300, Promass 80F, 83F/84F | Coriolis mass flow | Direct mass flow and density of liquids and gases, hydrocarbon transfer and chemical dosing |
| Promag P 300, P 500, H 300, W 400, W 10, 50P | Electromagnetic flow | Water, wastewater, slurries and other conductive liquids |
| Prowirl F 200, 72F | Vortex flow | Steam, gas and low-viscosity liquids |
| Prosonic Flow 92F, t-mass 65F | Ultrasonic and thermal mass flow | Water lines; compressed air and industrial gases |
| Micropilot FMR62, FMR67, FMR60, FMR10B, FMR20, FMR50, FMR52 | Free-space radar level, 80 GHz and 26 GHz | Tanks, process vessels, silos and open water channels |
| Levelflex FMP51, FMP50, FMP54, FMP55 | Guided wave radar level | Level and interface in vessels, separators and bypass chambers |
| Liquiphant FTL51, Prosonic S FMU90 | Vibronic point level; ultrasonic level | High and low level alarms, pump protection, open channel flow |
| Cerabar PMC71B, PMP51B, PMP71, Deltabar PMD78B, PMD75 | Pressure and differential pressure | Process pressure, hydrostatic level and DP flow |
| iTEMP TMT82, TMT162, iTHERM TM101, TR66, TR10 | Temperature transmitters and thermometers | RTD and thermocouple points with thermowells |
| Liquiline CM444, CM442, Memosens CPS11E, Stamolys reagents | Liquid analysis | pH, ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and nutrient analysis in water treatment and process |
Where Endress+Hauser instruments are used
In Oman and the GCC, Endress+Hauser instruments are common in oil and gas production and processing, refineries and petrochemicals, desalination and water networks, wastewater treatment, power plants and food and beverage plants. Coriolis meters measure hydrocarbon and chemical flows, electromagnetic meters cover water and wastewater, radar transmitters handle tank and silo level, and Liquiline analysers monitor water quality. Proline 300 and 500 flowmeters include Heartbeat Technology for in-situ verification, which reduces the need to remove a meter for checks.
Ordering Endress+Hauser instruments: what we need
The order code on the nameplate (for example PMP71-1QA1S11RDADU) defines every option: measuring range, process connection, materials, output, approvals and display. Send it with the serial number; Endress+Hauser can retrieve the original configuration from the serial number. For a new instrument add the medium, operating and design pressure and temperature, range, line size or tank geometry, process connection, wetted materials, output or protocol (4-20 mA HART, PROFIBUS, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, Modbus) and the hazardous-area approval required. Older models such as Promass 80/83 or Micropilot M are replaced by current Proline or 80 GHz Micropilot devices.
Facts checked against Endress+Hauser company history and product information, October 2026.
Browse Endress+Hauser products by category: Flowmeters, Level Transmitter, Pressure Instrumentation, Temperature, Liquid Analysis Sensors, Liquid Analytical Systems.
FAQ
Questions about the Endress+Hauser FTI55 Solicap M Rod Level Switch for
Answers from our engineering team on installation, compatibility and integration.
01What bulk solids can the FTI55 detect?
Materials with a relative dielectric constant of 2.5 or more, such as sand, cement, lime, grain, flour, gravel, dolomite, kaolin and crushed ore.
02How much lateral load can the FTI55 rod take?
The datasheet gives 300 Nm for the standard 18 mm rod and 200 Nm for the version with active build-up compensation.
03What is the temperature limit of the FTI55?
The partially insulated rod works up to 180 °C and the fully insulated rod up to 80 °C. The housing ambient range is –50 to +70 °C.
04Can the FTI55 control a screw conveyor?
Yes, with two-point control using separate on and off calibration. Partially insulated rods are only used for this with non-conductive solids, and FEI58 does not support it.
05Why choose an inactive length on the FTI55?
It keeps the sensing section away from the nozzle so condensate or deposits there do not cause false switching, and it allows use in mounting nozzles.
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