KN0004 - Level sensor IFM - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Capacitive level sensor
Brand	IFM
Model	KN0004
Detection type	Capacitive, for liquids and dry bulk materials (plastic granules)
Active face temperature	Up to 110 °C
Mounting	Non-contact (non-metallic tanks) or direct contact with fluid
Electrical connection	According to label; disconnect power before connection
Power supply	Not specified in manual; refer to product label
LED indicators	Green, yellow, red LED for switching status, modes and errors
Main functions	Level detection, empty/full adjustment, NO/NC mode, automatic adjustment via push button
Programming	Via programming push button (non-sharp object)
Switching output	Normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) configurable
Adjustments	Empty adjustment (empty tank), full adjustment (active zone covered), combined adjustment for optimal thresholds
Error messages	Red LED fast flashing (8 Hz): adjustment fault or internal fault; solution: repeat adjustment or cycle power
Maintenance and cleaning	No maintenance required; keep active face and surroundings free of deposits and foreign objects
Safety instructions	Disconnect power before any electrical connection
Warranty	Not mentioned; refer to IFM conditions

Frequently Asked Questions - KN0004 IFM

How to perform empty adjustment on KN0004 sensor?

After mounting in an empty tank, press the programming push button for 1 to 5 seconds until the green LED flashes slowly (1 Hz). The empty adjustment is then performed.

How to perform full adjustment?

After empty adjustment, completely cover the active zone, then press the push button for 5 to 10 seconds. The green LED first flashes slowly (1 Hz), then quickly (2 Hz) after 5 seconds. The full adjustment is then stored.

How to change the NO/NC output function?

First activate NO/NC mode by holding the push button pressed for at least 10 seconds: the green LED flashes slowly, then quickly, then slowly again. Then press the button for 1 to 5 seconds to toggle between NO and NC. The LED indicates the mode: green slow flashing for NO, green and yellow alternating for NC.

How to deactivate NO/NC mode?

In NO/NC mode, press the push button for at least 5 seconds until the LEDs turn off. The device returns to normal operating mode.

What to do if the red LED flashes quickly after an adjustment?

The red LED flashing at 8 Hz indicates an adjustment error. Possible causes: insufficient signal difference between empty and full, reversed adjustment order, or empty adjustment in contact with conductive fluid. To clear the error, repeat the adjustment or cycle the power.

What is the maximum temperature of the active face?

The active face withstands temperatures up to 110 °C and can be mounted in direct contact with the window (without air gap).

Can I mount the sensor in direct contact with the liquid?

Yes, the sensor can be mounted in direct contact with the fluid. It is also possible to mount it non-contact, but only for non-metallic tanks.

How to electrically connect the detector?

Disconnect the power. Connect the detector according to the diagram on the label (pinout). No polarity is specified; refer to the label.

What do the different LED states mean?

Green LED flashes slowly (1 Hz): empty adjustment mode or NO/NC mode with NO output; flashes quickly (2 Hz): full adjustment mode. Green and yellow LEDs alternating (1 Hz): NO/NC mode with NC output. Yellow LED on: output switched; off: output not switched. Red LED flashes quickly (8 Hz): error; flashes slowly (1 Hz): threshold almost reached (not an error).

What maintenance does the KN0004 level sensor require?

The sensor requires no special maintenance. However, it is advisable to keep the active face and free space free of deposits or foreign objects, especially when mounted vertically upwards.

USER MANUAL KN0004 IFM

Capacitive level sensor

Technical line drawing of a mechanical component with no visible text or symbols

Inhalt Seite

Diagram of a micrometer measuring a granular liquid in a container (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a micrometer measuring a granular liquid in a container (no text or symbols)

Medienberührend

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device with a screwdriver inserted (no text or symbols)

Programmieren

Line drawing of a vintage camera with a screwdriver inserted (no text or symbols)

Function and features 9

Mounting 10

Electrical connection 10

Operation 10

Programming 10

Set-up / Operation 14

LEDs red, yellow, green sensing face programming pushbutton threaded sleeve

Function and features

• Capacitive level switch for monitoring levels of liquids and dry bulk material, preferably plastic granulates.
• Automatic adjustment to the medium to be detected by means of programming pushbutton.
• The sensing face is rated for temperatures up to 110°C and can be mounted in direct contact with the sight glass (without air gap).

Mounting

Mount the level switch as shown:

Diagram of a micrometer measuring a granular liquid in a container (no text or symbols)

Not in contact with the medium (only for non-metallic tanks)

Diagram of a mechanical device inside a container filled with spherical particles, no text or symbols present

In contact with the medium

Electrical connection

Disconnect the installation from power. Connect the unit (see type label).

graph TD
    A["Square Block"] --> B["AND Gate 2"]
    A --> C["AND Gate 3"]
    B --> D["L1"]
    C --> E["N"]

Operation

Adjust the sensor. To do so, press the programming pushbutton with a blunt object.

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device with a screwdriver inserted (no text or symbols)

Programming

Overview of the modes and their basic functions:

• Operating mode: Normal operating mode. In this mode all normal sensor functions are active.
• Adjustment mode: Setting of the switching threshold by empty and full adjustment.
• Normally closed/normally open mode (NO/NC mode): Change between normally closed and normally open function.

Empty adjustment

The unit must be adjusted after installation in the empty tank (empty adjustment). The tank can be considered to be "empty" when the medium to be detected is min. 20mm away from the active zone. If the sensor detects a medium after adjustment, its switching status changes.

1 ... 5s

Press the programming pushbutton until the green LED flashes (for min.1s and max. 5s; unit is in the adjustment mode).

After adjustment - for the output function "normally open" - all LEDs are off. For the output function "normally closed" the yellow LED lights.

Note:

The sensor is operational just with empty adjustment. However, it is recommended to carry out a "full adjustment" with the active zone being completely covered after empty adjustment. On the basis of the values for the empty state/full state the internal microprocessor determines the optimum position of the switching thresholds between the two states. Using both adjustment criteria (empty and full adjustment) results in the maximum operational reliability for the application. For empty adjustment the internal microprocessor generates 2 values.

The first value corresponds to the sensor signal measured in the empty state. The second value is an assumed measured value for the full state. It is calculated from the just measured empty state and a factory signal preset. For full adjustment this second value is replaced by a real measured value.

Full adjustment

After empty adjustment the full state is to be achieved, if possible, so that the unit switches.

5 ... 10s	Press the programming pushbutton until the green LED flashes quickly(= unit is in the adjustment mode).
	The LED first flashes slowly (about 1 Hz), after 5s it flashes double as quickly (about 2 Hz).After adjustment - for the output function " normally open" - only the yellow LED lights. For the output function "normally closed" all LEDs are off.

The full adjustment can be repeated as often as you like. The stored value for the empty state is not overwritten by the full adjustment. After a new empty adjustment both values are automatically set again, the values last defined are overwritten.

Therefore always carry out the empty adjustment first, then, if necessary, the full adjustment!

NO/NC mode:

The switching output of the unit can be operated as normally closed or normally open contact. To do so the unit must first be put in the NO/NC mode.

Activating the NO/NC mode:

Press the programming pushbutton for min. 10s.

The green LED first flashes slowly (about 1Hz), after 5s more quickly (about 2Hz), after 10s slowly again (about 1 Hz).

min. 10s

The unit now displays the current output function (normally closed or normally open):

• Normally open: green LED flashes slowly (about 1Hz)
• Normally closed: green and yellow LEDs flash alternately (about 1Hz)

Changing the output function:

Press the programming pushbutton for min. 1s but not longer than 5s.

The change is immediately displayed by the LEDs after the programming pushbutton is released.

1 ... 5s

Deactivating the NO/NC mode:

Press the programming pushbutton in the NO/NC mode until the LEDs go out (min. 5s).

The unit is in the operating mode again. All normal sensor functions are active again.

min. 5s

After each programming operation the NO/NC mode must be deactivated.

If after the change into the NO/NC mode no operation is carried out for 30s the unit automatically changes back to the operating mode. The output function is not defined. Repeat the programming operation and then deactivate the NO/NC mode.

Note:

The switching function of the sensor is not active in the NO/NC mode. The output maintains the switching state which it had before switching on the NO/NC mode. The output stays virtually "frozen" until the NO/NC mode is deactivated again.

Error messages

If empty or full adjustment cannot be made, the red LED flashes quickly at about 8Hz after the adjustment attempt (adjustment error).

To delete this error message press the programming pushbutton once or power off and then power on again. The measured values successfully read so far remain unchanged.

Possible reasons for an error message:

• The signal difference between the empty and full state is too small (e.g. empty and full adjustment without sufficient change of the level).
• The signal change between the empty and full state is in the wrong order (e.g. empty adjustment in the full state and then full adjustment in the empty state).
• Empty adjustment outside the operating range (e.g. empty adjustment in case of direct contact with an electrically grounded medium, e.g. if the active zone is immersed in water).

Help: Avoid the above-mentioned errors and repeat the adjustment for error correction.

Further faults:

• Electronic fault or sensing zone of the unit damaged.
- Internal fault (can only be deleted by power off and then power on again, hardware reset).

Set-up/Operation

Check the safe functioning of the unit. To do so, bring about a sensor response by taking suitable measures.

Display by LEDs:

LED green	• Flashes slowly (1Hz): adjustment mode empty state or NO/NC mode (output configured as normally open)• Flashes quickly (2Hz): adjustment mode full state• OFF: unit in the operating mode
LEDs green + yellow	• flash alternately (1Hz): NO/NC mode (output configured as normally closed)
LED yellow	• OFF: switching output disabled• ON: switching output enabled
LED red	• flashes quickly (8Hz): adjustment error, internal fault• flashes slowly (1Hz): close to reaching the switching threshold

The red LED becomes active for a short time during the change between "medium not present" and "medium present" (flashes at 1Hz) if the medium is close to reaching the switching threshold. This can occur in particular if the level changes very slowly and is no error message meaning a fault in the unit.

The operation of the level switch is maintenance-free. For a correct function ensure:

- The sensing face and the open space should be kept free of deposits and foreign bodies, particularly for mounting with the sensing face showing upwards.

Contenu Page

Diagram of a mechanical device with a granular material inside a container (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a mechanical device inside a container filled with spherical particles, no text or symbols present

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device with a screwdriver inserted (no text or symbols)

Programmation