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BULK MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

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May/June 2026

THE RIDDLE



• I stick to your probe but I am not glue.
• I change your dielectric constant but I am not a chemical.
• I fool standard sensors into thinking a silo is completely full when it is actually empty.

Level Up Your Bulk Handling with UWT's Smart Capacitive Sensor

Maintaining smooth material flow without constant manual checks is a major win for any maintenance team. That is exactly where capacitance point level sensors come in, serving as a reliable line of defense inside your busiest silos, bins, and chutes. These smart devices monitor electrical changes to instantly detect when bulk solids—like powders, granulates, or heavy gravel—hit a specific height.

The UWT RFnivo® RF 3100 capacitive sensor is built specifically to withstand harsh material handling environments. This sensor eliminates the headache of false alarms caused by material buildup thanks to its advanced "Active Shield" technology. For managers and engineers focused on uptime, and operators looking for hassle-free maintenance, the RFnivo® RF 3100 features simple push-button calibration and a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant design that keeps your processes moving safely and accurately.

Major Wins For Maintenance Teams

The RFnivo® RF 3100 is packed with features engineered specifically to reduce downtime and maintenance hours:

• Active Shield Technology: Ignores sticky material caking and buildup on the probe to prevent false high-level alarms.
• Extreme Temperature Limits and Pressure Resistance: Built to operate reliably in process environments ranging from -40°C to +500°C and process pressures from -1 to +25 bar.
• Automatic calibration: simplifies installation and commissioning, as the sensor adjusts itself to specific operating conditions.
• Universal Application: Works seamlessly across various materials such as cement, flour, sand, granules, and powders.
• No Moving Parts: The RF 3100 relies purely on solid-state radio frequency (RF) capacitance technology to detect material levels. Because it has no rotating, vibrating, or mechanical components to wear out or jam, the instrument requires practically no maintenance.
• Robust Housing: Features a durable, corrosion-resistant enclosure that shrugs off heavy dust and washdown environments.

Precise Level Measurement when weighing Lime Powder

The cement industry places high demands on measurement technology. Precise level measurement and weight detection ensure product quality and optimize the production process. High dust exposure, extreme temperatures, and confined installation spaces require robust sensors that deliver long-term precision.

A globally operating German building materials company successfully uses the capacitive point level sensor RFnivo® RF 3100 from UWT for empty detection in lime powder weighing systems. These weighing systems are essential for the precise dosing of material to ensure the desired product quality.

Application Challenges

Low Dielectric Constant: Lime powder has a dielectric constant of just 1.6 to 2.0, making detection with conventional sensors difficult.

Limited Installation Space: The confined space within the weighing system requires compact sensor solutions.

Strong Material Build-Up: Fine particles tend to adhere to sensor surfaces and container walls.

Electrostatic Charging: High particle movement and low humidity can cause signal interference.

The sensor was installed laterally in the weighing system as an empty detector and reliably signals when the material level falls below a defined threshold. The precise control of material supply ensures uninterrupted production. The combination of reliability, low maintenance, and easy integration guarantees high operational safety.

For more information, visit UWT or contact your TEC representative.

UWT Capacitive Sensor

RFnivo® - RF 3100 Level Switch

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