KN5118 - Detector IFM - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Capacitive level sensor
Brand	IFM
Model	KN5118
Power supply	10-30 V DC (typical estimate)
Main function	Level control of liquids and dry bulk materials
Electrical connection	Connector or cable, wires BN (brown), BU (blue), BK (black)
Switching output	Normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC), adjustable by reversing polarity
Adjustment	Automatic via push-button; empty and full adjustments possible
LED display	Green (operational, adjustment modes), Yellow (output status), Red (error, warning)
Security	Electronic locking to prevent unauthorized adjustments
Mounting	Threaded housing, tank mounting
Maintenance	Cleaning if deposits; readjust if conditions change
Error messages	Red LED flashing (2 Hz): adjustment error or signal too weak; Green+Red LED flashing (2 Hz): short circuit

Frequently Asked Questions - KN5118 IFM

How to perform the empty state adjustment?

Ensure the tank is empty. Press the programming push-button with a blunt object until the green LED flashes slowly (1 Hz). Then release the button. The empty adjustment is saved.

How to perform the full state adjustment?

Fill the tank so that the sensor detects the fluid. Press the programming push-button until the green LED flashes quickly (2 Hz). Release the button. This adjustment is recommended for maximum reliability.

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

The red LED flashing (2 Hz) indicates an adjustment error. Briefly press the push-button or power cycle the installation. Successful adjustments remain unchanged. Possible causes: signal difference too small or incorrect adjustment sequence.

How to lock the sensor to prevent unauthorized changes?

Press and hold the programming push-button for at least 10 seconds. The green LED turns off, indicating lockout. All programming functions are blocked.

How to unlock the sensor?

Press and hold the programming push-button again for at least 10 seconds. The green LED turns on, indicating unlock. Programming functions are active again.

How to reverse the output function from normally open to normally closed?

Power off the device. Reverse the polarity of the supply voltage (e.g., swap wires BN and BU). Power on again. The output now switches in reverse mode.

What does a continuously lit red LED mean?

A continuously lit red LED indicates that the working conditions are not optimal (e.g., dirt deposits, range change). Perform a new adjustment or clean the sensor to prevent malfunction.

What to do if the green and red LEDs flash quickly together?

This indicates a short circuit on the switching output. Check the wiring and connected loads. Correct the problem and reset the device by briefly power cycling the installation.

Are the adjustments retained in case of power failure?

Yes, the saved adjustments (empty, full, lock) are retained even after a power failure. The device resumes operation with the saved parameters.

What types of fluids can be detected?

The IFM KN5118 capacitive level sensor is suitable for liquids and dry bulk materials, such as plastic granules. It controls the level in tanks based on the dielectric constant of the product.

USER MANUAL KN5118 IFM

Adernfarben: BN = braun, BU = blau, BK = schwarz

3 Montage

1 Function and features 9
2 Electrical connection 9
3 Mounting 10
4 Operation 10
5 Programming 10
6 Set-up/operation 14

(1) Electrical connection (plug or cable)
(2) LEDs red, yellow, green
(3) Programming button
(4) Threaded sleeve
(5) Active face

1 Function and features

The capacitive level switch monitors levels of liquids and dry bulk material in vessels, preferably plastic granulates. Depending on the setting a switched signal is provided when the current level falls below or exceeds the mounting position.

• Automatic adjustment to the medium to be detected by means of programming button.

2 Electrical connection

Disconnect power before connecting the unit (see type label).

Core colours: BN = brown, BU = blue, BK = black

3 Mounting

Mount the proximity switch as shown and then program it.

4 Operation

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

5 Programming

Operating mode

Immediately after power on the proximity switch is in the operating mode. In this mode all normal sensor functions are active.

You can also make the following settings on the unit:

• Adjustment mode
• Switch point setting by adjustment to the empty and full state.
• Locking mode
• Electronic lock to avoid tampering.
• Setting the output function as normally closed or normally open.

Adjustment mode empty state

The sensor is adjusted to the empty vessel. If it detects material, the switched signal changes.

Then carry out steps 1 and 2.

Adjustment mode full state

Fill the vessel so that the sensor detects the material.

Then carry out steps 1 and 2.

Note:

The adjustment to the full state is not absolutely necessary for the operation of the unit but it is recommended. On the basis of the values for the empty state/full state the internal microprocessor determines the optimum position of the switching thresholds. If you use both adjustment criteria (adjustment to the empty and full state), you obtain the maximum operational reliability for your individual application.

Locking mode

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

When the programming button 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 at first to avoid any hint to a hidden function.

If you want to release the locking, proceed as follows:

When the programming button is released the unit is unlocked and all programming functions are active again. The unit returns to the operating mode.

Setting the output function as normally closed or normally open

The switching output of the unit can be operated as normally closed or normally open. To do so, the unit must first be disconnected. To generate the inverted output response the operating voltage is connected again by reversing the wires.

Error messages

If the adjustment to the empty or full state is not possible, the red LED flashes quickly after the adjustment attempt (about 2Hz).

To delete this error message press the programming button once or disconnect and then connect power again. The adjustment 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. adjustment to the empty and full state without sufficient change of the level).

• The signal change between the empty and full state is in the wrong order (e.g. adjustment to the empty state when the vessel is full and then adjustment to the full state when the vessel is empty).

• Adjustment to the empty state outside the operating range (e.g. adjustment to the empty state with direct contact with an electrically grounded medium, e.g. if the active face is immersed in water).

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

Further faults:

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

6 Set-up / operation

Check the safe functioning of the unit. Display by LEDs.

LED green	ON = unit is ready for operation flashes slowly (1 Hz) = adjustment mode empty state flashes quickly (2 Hz) = adjustment mode full state OFF = locking mode
LED yellow	OFF = switching output disabled ON = switching output enabled
LED red	flashes quickly (2 Hz) = error message ON = undefined operating range
LED yellow and red	flash quickly simultaneously (2Hz) = short circuit of the switching output

The red LED indicates no malfunction of the unit, it indicates that the internal sensor signal is near the switching threshold.

Two cases can be distinguished:

- Normal operation/safe operation

The red LED is lit temporarily during the change between "medium" and "no medium".

- Warning of possible malfunction

If the red LED is lit continuously, the operating conditions are no longer optimum.

For example a change of the sensing range caused by deposits of dirt can be detected.

You can take preventive measures to avoid a malfunction. For example readjust or clean the unit.

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