SICK AG
Erwin-Sick-Str. 1
79183 Waldkirch, Germany
Germany
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Reproduction of this document or parts of this document is only permissible within
the limits of the legal determination of Copyright Law.
Any modication, expurgation, or translation of this document is prohibited without
the express written permission of SICK AG.
The trademarks stated in this document are the property of their respective owner.
These operating instructions provide important notes on how to use sensors from SICK AG.
Prerequisites for safe work are:
•Compliance with all safety notes and handling instructions supplied.
•Compliance with local work safety regulations and general safety regulations for
sensor applications.
The operating instructions are intended to be used by qualied personnel and electrical
specialists.
Note:
Read these operating instructions carefully before starting any work on the device,
in order to familiarize yourself with the device and its functions.
The instructions constitute an integral part of the product and are to be stored in the
immediate vicinity of the device so they remain accessible to sta at all times. Should
the device be passed on to a third party, these operating instructions should be handed
over with it.
These operating instructions do not provide information on operating the machine
in which the sensor is integrated. For information about this, refer to the operating
instructions of the particular machine.
1.2 Scope
These operating instructions serve to incorporate a sensor into a customer system.
Instructions are given by stages for all actions required.
These instructions apply to all available device variants of the sensor. For more detailed
information for the identication of the available device types, see “3.1.2 Type code”.
Available device variants are listed on the online product page:
bwww.sick.com
Various device variants are used as examples for commissioning, based on the default
parameter settings for the relevant device.
Simplied device name in the document: In the following, the sensor is referred to in
simplied form as LFP. Exceptions occur where a distinction between device variants is
required due to dierent technical features or functions. In this case, the complete type
designation (e.g. LFP Cubic) is used.
1.3 Explanation of symbols
Warnings and important information in this document are labeled with symbols.
The warnings are introduced by signal words that indicate the extent of the danger.
These warnings must be observed at all times and care must be taken to avoid
accidents, personal injury, and material damage.
DANGER
… indicates a situation of imminent danger, which will lead to a fatality or serious
injuries if not prevented.
The LFP is designed for both continuous level measurement and point level measurement
in nearly all liquids (a list of the possible media can be found in the appendix).
The sensor is not aected by changes in the properties of the liquids to be measured.
The LFP can be used in metal containers or bypass/immersion pipes. A coaxial tube is
required for use in plastic containers.
2.2 Incorrect use
Any use outside of the stated areas, in particular use outside of the technical
specications and the requirements for intended use, will be deemed incorrect use.
If the operator wishes to use the sensor in other conditions or in dierent environ-
ments, then the manufacturing service may issue an operating license in consultation
with the customer and in exceptional cases.
2.3 Limitation of liability
Applicable standards and regulations, the latest state of technological development,
and our many years of knowledge and experience have all been taken into account
when assembling the data and information contained in these operating instructions.
The manufacturer accepts no liability for damage caused by:
•Failing to observe the operating instructions
•Incorrect use
•Use by untrained personnel
•Unauthorized conversions
•Technical modications
•Use of unauthorized spare parts, consumables, and accessories
With special variants, where optional extras have been ordered, or owing to the latest
technical changes, the actual scope of delivery may vary from the features and illustrations shown here.
2.4 Modications and conversions
IMPORTANT
Modications and conversions to the sensor and/or the installation may result in
unforeseeable dangers.
Interrupting or modifying the sensor or SICK software will invalidate any warranty claims
against SICK AG. This applies in particular to opening the housing, even as part of
mounting and electrical installation.
Before technical modications to and expansions of the sensor, the prior written
2.5 Requirements for skilled persons and operating personnel
WARNING
Risk of injury due to insucient training.
Improper handling of the sensor may result in considerable personal injury and material
damage.
• All work must only ever be carried out by the stipulated persons.
The operating instructions state the following qualication requirements for the various
areas of work:
•Instructed personnel have been briefed by the operator about the tasks assigned
to them and about potential dangers arising from improper action.
•Skilled personnel have the specialist training, skills, and experience, as well as
knowledge of the relevant regulations, to be able to perform tasks delegated to
them and to detect and avoid any potential dangers independently.
•Electricians have the specialist training, skills, and experience, as well as
knowledge of the relevant standards and provisions to be able to carry out work on
electrical systems and to detect and avoid any potential dangers independently.
In Germany, electrical specialists must meet the specications of the BGV A3 Work
Safety Regulations (e.g., Master Electrician). Other relevant regulations applicable
in other countries must be observed.
2SAFETY INFORMATION
The following qualications are required for various activities:
ActivitiesQualication
Mounting, maintenance
Electrical installation,
device replacement
Commissioning,
conguration
Operation of the device for
the particular application
• Basic practical technical training
• Knowledge of the current safety regulations in the workplace
• Practical electrical training
• Knowledge of current electrical safety regulations
• Knowledge of device control and operation in the particular
application concerned (e.g.conveying line)
• Basic knowledge of the control system in use
• Basic knowledge of the design and setup of the described
connections and interfaces
• Basic knowledge of data transmission
• Knowledge of device control and operation in the particular
area of application concerned (e.g. bottling plant)
• Knowledge of the software and hardware environment for the
particular application concerned (e.g. bottling plant)
2.6 Operational safety and particular hazards
Please observe the safety notes and the warnings listed here and in other chapters
of these operating instructions to reduce the possibility of risks to health and avoid
dangerous situations.
•Read the operating instructions prior to commissioning.
•These operating instructions are valid for devices with a rmware version higher
than V4.00.
•The LFP is not a safety component under the EU Machinery Directive.
•Observe national safety and work safety regulations.
•Wiring work and the opening and closing of electrical connections may only be
carried out when the power is switched o.
•The radiated power is far lower than that from telecommunication equipment.
According to current scientic research, the operation of this device can be
classied as safe and nonhazardous.
2.8 Repairs
Repair work on the sensor may be performed only by qualied and authorized
personnel from SICK AG. Interruptions or modications to the sensor on the part
of the customer will invalidate any warranty claims against SICK AG.
The sensor is operated using the display and operating buttons.
For a detailed description of the pushbuttons and their functions, see “8.1 Display and
pushbuttons”.
3.3 Product features and functions
3.3.1 Principle of operation
The LFP uses TDR (Time Domain Reectometry) technology.
This is a process to determine transit times of electromagnetic waves. The sensor
electronics generate a low-energy electromagnetic pulse, which is linked to and runs
along the probe.
If this pulse strikes the surface of the liquid to be measured, a portion of the pulse
is reected there and is conducted back up along the probe path to the electronics,
which then calculate the level based on the time dierence between the sent and the
received pulse.
The sensor can output this level as a continuous measured value (analog output) and
can also derive two and/or four freely positionable switching points from it (switching
outputs).
IO-Link communication is also available for the switching output (Q1),
see “8.1.3 IO-Link”.
The innovative TDR technology enables reliable level measurement which is largely
application-independent. The LFP is suitable for both continuous level measurement
and point level measurement in nearly all liquids.
The sensor is not aected by changes in the properties of the liquids to be measured.
The LFP can be used in metal containers or bypass/immersion pipes. A coaxial tube is
For your own safety, please read and observe the following notes:
IMPORTANT
Damage to the sensor due to improper transport.
• The device must be packaged for transport with protection against shock and damp.
• Recommendation: Use the original packaging as it provides the best protection.
• Transport should be performed by specialist sta only.
• The utmost care and attention is required at all times during unloading and
transportation on company premises.
• Note the symbols on the packaging.
• Do not remove packaging until immediately before you start mounting.
4.2 Transport inspection
Immediately upon receipt at the receiving work station, check the delivery for
completeness and for any damage that may have occurred in transit. In the case of
transit damage that is visible externally, proceed as follows:
4.3 Storage
•Do not accept the delivery or only do so conditionally.
•Note the scope of damage on the transport documents or on the transport
company's delivery note.
•File a complaint.
Note:
Complaints regarding defects should be led as soon as these are detected. Damage
claims are only valid before the applicable complaint deadlines.
Store the device under the following conditions:
•Recommendation: Use the original packaging.
•Do not store outdoors.
•Store in a dry area that is protected from dust.
•To ensure that any residual moisture present can escape, do not store
in airtight containers.
•Do not expose to any aggressive substances.
•Protect from sunlight.
•Avoid mechanical shocks.
14
•Storage temperature: see “12 Repair work”.
•Relative humidity: see “12 Repair work”.
•For storage periods of longer than 3 months, check the general condition
of all components and packaging on a regular basis.
The LFP is mounted vertically from above into the container or bypass, using its process
connection. The LFP level sensor has a G ¾ or ¾" NPT threaded connection. A minimum
connecting piece diameter in accordance with the diagrams below must be observed.
The LFP must be installed so that after mounting there is sucient distance to other tank
components (e.g. supply tubes, other measurement devices), the container wall or the
container bottom. These minimum distances are also specied in the diagrams.
The LFP can also be used in a metal immersion pipe or bypass. The installation
conditions are shown in the Figure on page 15.
Ensure that there is a good metallic connection between the LFP measuring device and
the tank/bypass. When operating the sensor, ensure that the ambient temperature is not
above or below the limits.
Insulating the sensor housing is not permitted for tanks with hot media.
When positioning the device, ensure that the sensor is not directly exposed to the lling ow.
The sensor housing can be rotated 360°, allowing for the cable outlet to be positioned
freely.
5MOUNTING
5.1.1 Installation in a container
Note:
The distances are identical for the sensor with remote amplier.
C A
Fig. 2: LFP Cubic
1 Mono-probe with metallic containers
Installation in the nozzle
D ≥ DN 25
Distance to container wall/container
bottom:
A ≥ 50 mm
B ≥ 10 mm
Distance to components built into the
container
≥ 100 mm
D
B
2 Coaxial tube in metallic and non-metallic
containers
C = In the case of a coaxial probe there
are no minimum distances from the container wall and built-in components to be
observed.
5.1.2 Installation in a metal immersion tube or metal bypass
D
B
Fig. 3: LFP Cubic
1 Centering
2 D ≥ DN 40
Distance to bypass/container bottom
B ≥ 10 mm
Centering: To prevent contact between the probe and the bypass pipe during
oscillations, the probe should be centered according to its length and depending on the
diameter of the bypass pipe. To do this, it is necessary to insert one or two centering
pieces, see “17 Accessories”.
See the operating instructions for the coaxial tube (8015674) at www.sick.com.
5.3 Shortening or replacing the probe rod/rope probe
If the probe rod or rope probe is too long for the application, it can be shortened to the
container height. In this case, you should not shorten the probe beyond its minimum
length of 100 mm. If the LFP is to be used in a hygienic application, then be sure that
the roughness of Ra≤0.8 µm is reestablished on the shortened machined surfaces of
the mono-probe.
5.3.1 Procedure
Shorten the probe rod and/or rope probe as desired. Adjust the new probe length in the
LFP, see “8.4.7 Conguring the probe length”. Ensure that this correction corresponds
to the probe length, because an incorrect value in the Length menu has a direct eect
on measurement accuracy and can lead to faults. The probe length L is set out in
Chapter “15 Dimensional drawings”.
The probe rod and/or the rope probe can be swapped. Use a suitable tool. If the system
experiences strong vibrations, secure the probe with thread-locking lacquer.
An incorrect supply voltage may result in damage to the equipment.
• Only operate the device using a protected low voltage and safe electrical insulation
as per protection class III.
IMPORTANT
Equipment damage or unpredictable operation due to working with live parts.
Working with live parts may result in unpredictable operation.
• Only carry out wiring work when the power is o.
• Only connect and disconnect electrical connections when the power is o.
6ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
•The electrical installation must only be performed by electrically qualied personnel.
•Standard safety requirements must be met when working in electrical systems.
•Only switch on the supply voltage for the device when the connection tasks have
been completed and the wiring has been thoroughly checked.
•When using extension cables with open ends, ensure that bare wire ends do not
come into contact with each other (risk of short-circuit when supply voltage is
switched on!). Wires must be appropriately insulated from each other.
•Wire cross-sections in the supply cable from the customer's power system must be
designed in accordance with the applicable standards. In Germany, observe the
following standards: DIN VDE 0100 (Part 430) and DIN VDE 0298 (Part 4) and/or
DIN VDE 0891 (Part 1).
•Circuits connected to the device must be designed as SELV circuits
(SELV = Safety Extra Low Voltage).
•Protect the device with a separate fuse at the start of the supply circuit.
Instructions for laying data cables:
• Use screened data cables with twisted-pair wires.
• Implement the screening design correctly and completely.
• To avoid interference, e.g. from switching power supplies, motors, clocked drives,
and contactors, always use cables and layouts that are suitable for EMC.
• Do not lay cables over long distances in parallel with voltage supply cables and
motor cables in cable channels.
Subject to change without notice
The IP67 protection class for the device is only achieved under the following conditions:
•The cable connected at the M12 connection is screwed on.
If this is not done, the device does not fulll any specied IP enclosure rating!
The sensor is connected using a pre-assembled female cable connector with
M12 x 1 plug connector (5/8-pin). With the power switched o, plug the female
cable connector into the sensor and screw it tight.
Connect the cable according to its function. After the supply voltage is set up, the
sensor performs a self-test. Once installed, the sensor is ready for operation upon
completion of the self-test (< 5 s). The display shows the current measured value.