KN0006 - Level sensor IFM - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Capacitive level sensor
Brand	IFM
Model	KN0006
Series	efectoriso® KNM
Application	Level control of liquids and dry bulk materials, especially plastic granules
Power supply	20-250 V AC/DC
Output	Switch (normally open or normally closed depending on version)
Active face temperature	Up to 110 °C
LED indication	Green (setting), yellow (switching), red (fault or threshold reached)
Setting	Automatic via programming push-button (empty and full settings)
Locking	Yes, to prevent unauthorized manipulation
Mounting	In contact with fluid or contactless (non-metallic tanks)
Electrical connection	2 wires (L1, N) - disconnect installation before connecting
Maintenance	No maintenance required; keep the active face free of deposits
Error messages	Red LED flashes at 8 Hz: incorrect setting or internal fault
Repairability	Not repairable, replace the device in case of fault
Spare parts	Not available
Standards	Technical data sheet available at www.ifm.com

Frequently Asked Questions - KN0006 IFM

How to perform the empty setting of the KN0006 sensor?

After installation in an empty tank, press the programming push-button for 1 to 5 seconds until the green LED flashes slowly (1 Hz). Release the button. The empty setting is then saved.

How to perform the full setting?

After the empty setting, fill the tank to cover the active area. Press the push-button for 5 to 10 seconds: the green LED flashes slowly first, then quickly (2 Hz) after 5 s. Release to save the full setting.

How to lock the sensor to prevent unauthorized changes?

Press the push-button for at least 10 seconds. The green LED turns off after 10 s, indicating the device is locked. All programming is then blocked.

How to unlock the sensor?

Press the push-button again for at least 10 seconds. The green LED flashes briefly twice, then the device is unlocked and all programming functions are reactivated.

What do the different LED colors mean?

Green LED: slow flash (empty setting), fast flash (full setting), off (operation mode). Yellow LED: off (output not switched), on (output switched). Red LED: fast flash (8 Hz) = setting fault or internal error, slow flash (1 Hz) = switching threshold almost reached.

What to do in case of error message (red LED flashing quickly)?

A setting fault may occur if the signal difference between empty and full is too small or if the setting order is reversed. Press the push-button again or disconnect and reconnect the power to clear the error. Previously saved values remain intact.

Can the KN0006 be used with all types of liquids or materials?

The sensor is designed for liquids and dry bulk materials, preferably plastic granules. It is sensitive to materials with a sufficient dielectric constant. In case of doubt, consult the technical data sheet or contact the manufacturer.

What is the maximum temperature of the active face?

The active face supports a maximum temperature of 110 °C. It can be mounted in direct contact with a window without an air gap.

How to mount the sensor?

Mounting can be contactless with the fluid (for non-metallic tanks) or in contact with the fluid. Follow the illustrations in the manual. Ensure the active face is free of deposits for reliable operation.

Does the sensor require regular maintenance?

No, the detector requires no maintenance. Simply ensure that the active face and the free space remain free of deposits or foreign bodies, especially when mounting with the active face facing upward.

USER MANUAL KN0006 IFM

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Inhalt Seite

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

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

Medienberührend

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

Programmieren

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Function and features 8

Mounting 9

Electrical connection 9

Operation 9

Programming 9

Set-up/Operation 13

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 mechanical device with a granular internal structure and a cylindrical shaft inserted into a container (no text or symbols)

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

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device inside a container filled with spherical particles (no text or symbols)

In contact with the medium

Electrical connection

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

graph TD
    A["Symbol"] --> B["2"]
    A --> C["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.
• Locking mode: Locking and unlocking of the unit possible to avoid tampering.

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. 20 mm away from the active zone. If the sensor detects a medium after adjustment, its switching status changes.

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

Locking

The stored adjustment values can be protected against unauthorised programming as follows (factory setting: not locked):

min. 10 s
	Press the programming pushbutton for min. 10 s.
	The green LED first flashes slowly (about 1 Hz), after 5 s more quickly (about 2 Hz), after 10 s it goes out, the unit is locked.

When the programming pushbutton is released the unit is locked and all programming functions are inactive. The unit returns to the operating mode.

If this operation starts from the locked state, the green LED does not react for 10 s. After 10 s the unit is unlocked (see "Unlocking").

Unlocking

min. 10 s Press the programming pushbutton for min. 10s. After approx. 10 s the green LED flashes briefly for 2x. The unit is unlocked again and the LEDs indicate the current operating state.

When the programming pushbutton is released the unit is unlocked and all programming functions are active again.

Error messages

If empty or full adjustment cannot be made, the red LED flashes quickly at about 8 Hz 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 gren	flashes slowly (1 Hz): adjustment mode empty adjustmentflashes quickly (2 Hz): adjustment mode full adjustmentOFF: unit is in the operating mode
LED yellow	OFF: switching output disabledON: switching output enabled
LED red	flashes quickly (8 Hz): adjustment error, internal faultflashes slowly (1 Hz): 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 1 Hz) 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.

Technical data

Technical data and further information at www.ifm.com --> Select your country --> Data sheet search

Contenu Page

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

Technical line drawing of a mechanical device inside a container filled with spherical particles (no text or symbols)

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

Programmation

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Line drawing of a mechanical device with a screwdriver and control panel (no text or symbols)

Line drawing of a mechanical device with a screwdriver and control panel (no text or symbols)

min. 10 s