KN5103 - Capacitive level sensor IFM - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Capacitive level sensor
Brand	IFM
Model	KN5103
Main function	Level control in tanks
Detection principle	Capacitive
Detectable materials	Dry bulk and liquid materials (depending on mounting)
Mounting	In the wall or outside the tank
Housing for wall mounting	KNM30BSA
Housing for off-wall mounting	KNM30NSA
Condition for off-wall mounting	Non-metallic tanks
Electrical connection	According to label, de-energization mandatory
Output	Switching and clogging output (fc-output)
LED indications	Green (operational), yellow (switching/short circuit), red (error/clogging)
Adjustment	Push button or programming input (pin 2)
Adjustment modes	"empty" and "full"
Locking/Unlocking	By pressing ≥10 s or programming input
Safety	De-energize the installation before connection
Usage	Dry bulk materials for wall mounting; dry bulk and liquid materials for off-wall mounting
Detection type	Direct contact or through the wall
Error validation	Brief button press
Clogging output error signal	2 Hz
Programming input	Pin 2
Available types	FPKG (PNP) and FNKG (NPN)
Programming LED flashing	Slow (1 Hz) then fast (2 Hz)

Frequently Asked Questions - KN5103 IFM

How to adjust the sensor for an empty tank?

Press the push button until the green LED flashes (max. 5 s), then release. Shortly after, the green LED lights up continuously, indicating the device is adjusted and in operating mode.

How to perform a 'full' adjustment?

First, the green LED flashes slowly (1 Hz). Press and hold the button for 5 to 10 seconds. After 5 s, the LED flashes faster (2 Hz): the device is in programming mode. Then release the button. The yellow and green LEDs light up, indicating the device is adjusted.

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

This means the adjustment could not be performed (empty and full signals too close). Briefly press the push button to confirm and repeat the adjustment.

How to lock or unlock the device?

To lock, press the button for at least 10 seconds: after 10 s, the green LED turns off, the device is locked. To unlock, press again for at least 10 s: after 10 s, all LEDs briefly turn off, then the device is unlocked.

What does a flashing yellow LED mean?

A flashing yellow LED indicates the output is in short-circuit condition.

Can I use this sensor for liquids?

Yes, provided you use the KNM30NSA housing for off-wall mounting, and only with non-metallic tanks. The sensor checks the material through the wall.

How to electrically connect the device?

Connect according to the label instructions. It is mandatory to de-energize the installation before connection.

What is the mounting procedure?

For wall mounting, use the KNM30BSA housing. For off-wall mounting, use the KNM30NSA housing. In this case, the tank must be non-metallic.

What to do in case of adjustment error?

If the red LED flashes after adjustment, briefly press the button to confirm the error and repeat the adjustment. If the problem persists, check that the empty and full signals are sufficiently different.

How to reset the settings to default values?

A new 'empty' adjustment automatically resets the switching thresholds to the initial values, replacing previous settings.

USER MANUAL KN5103 IFM

Pure mechanical assembly diagram without any text, numbers, or symbols

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a small protrusion (no text or symbols)

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a cylindrical object inserted into it (no text or symbols)

Function and features

The capacitive level switch controls the level in vessels. It detects if target medium is present or not and provides a switched signal.

- Adjustable to the target medium by means of a programming button or by an electrical signal on the function check output.

push button LED's red, yellow, green

Installation

Units of the type KNM30BSA... should be mounted into the vessel wall.

The sensor is in contact with the target medium.

Suitable for dry target medium.

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a small protrusion (no text or symbols)

Units of the type KNM30NSA... should be mounted outside the vessel. The sensor detects the target medium through the vessel wall.

Suitable for both dry and liquid target media.

Only for non-metallic vessels.

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a cylindrical object inserted into it (no text or symbols)

Electrical connection

Disconnect power before connecting the unit. Connect according to the indications on the type label.

Setting

- With target medium absent

The setpoint is adjusted while the vessel is empty. When target medium is detected, the sensor's output switches. The switch-on and switch-off points are automatically generated.

Press until the green LED flashes (max. 5s), then release the button.*		LED green flashes (= unit is in the programming mode);
		after a short time the green LED lights (= unit is set and is in the operating mode).

- With target medium present

For most applications setting the sensor while the vessel is empty is sufficient. You can, if you wish, make an additional adjustment with the target medium present (e.g. to obtain an optimum excess gain for special applications).

1	Press the button and keep itpressed (5 ... 10s).*
	Now release the button.

*You can adjust the setpoint via pin 2 (fc output).
(signal length = duration of pressing the button)
Type FPKG: (+U_B) to pin 2; type FNKG: (-U_B) to pin 2.

The setpoint values made with an empty vessel are not overwritten by automatic setting while the vessel is full. You can update adjustment with the vessel full as often as you wish. (Automatic setting with the vessel full will return the “full” setting to the factory default.)

If adjustment is not possible (e.g. “empty” signal strength and “full” signal strength are almost the same), the red LED flashes after setting (in addition the function check output provides a 2Hz signal).

Press the button briefly (= acknowledgement) and repeat setting.

Locking / Unlocking:

1	Press for at least 10s*	[szwc]	At first the green LED flashes slowly, then faster. After 10s it goes out. The unit is locked.
2	Press for at least 10s*	[szgd]	After 10s all LED's go out for a short time. The unit is unlocked and the LED's indicate the current operating status.

*You can also lock/unlock the unit via pin 2 (fc output).
(signal length = duration of pressing the button)
Type FPKG: (+U_B) to pin 2.
Type FNKG: (-U_B) to pin 2.

Operation

Check whether the unit functions properly. Indication by LED's and by the function check output:

LED green	unit is ready for operation
LED yellow lit	= output is switchedflashing = output is short-circuited
LED red+fc output	ON = uncertain range:- when the vessel is full: target medium is not safely detected- when the vessel is empty: the “empty” signal has changed since the last setpoint adjustment (e.g. due to excessive build-up of deposits).flashing + 2Hz signal of the fc output= error in setting or locking / unlocking.

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a small protrusion (no text or symbols)

Simple line drawing of a U-shaped container with a side outlet and a pointed tip, no text or symbols present.