Endress+Hauser Levelflex FMP56 – Guided Radar Level Transmitter for Bulk Solids
The Endress+Hauser Levelflex FMP56 is an economically efficient guided radar level transmitter specifically designed for continuous level measurement of powdery and granular bulk solids. It is particularly suitable for silos and storage tanks operating under relatively light process conditions.
Unlike conventional level technologies that can be affected by dust, filling noise or gas layers, the FMP56 provides reliable measurement in challenging bulk-solid environments. Its guided radar principle is especially useful in high and narrow silos or vessels containing internal obstacles.
Reliable Level Measurement in Dusty Silos
Bulk solid applications often generate significant dust during filling and discharge. Filling noise, temperature stratification and gas layers can also make level measurement more difficult.
The FMP56 uses guided radar Time-of-Flight technology, providing a defined measurement path along the rope probe. According to Endress+Hauser, dust, filling noises, temperature layers and gas layers do not affect the measurement.
This makes it suitable for:
Powder and granular materials
Dusty atmospheres
High and narrow silos
Storage tanks
Vessels with internal obstacles
Continuous bulk-solid level measurement
Accurate Measurement with Up to 12 m Range
The FMP56 provides ±2 mm accuracy with its rope probe and supports a maximum measuring distance of 12 m.
Its minimum dielectric constant is DK >1.4, allowing measurement of a wide range of bulk-solid materials.
Key measurement performance:
Measuring principle: Guided radar / Time-of-Flight
Probe: Rope probe
Accuracy: ±2 mm
Maximum measuring distance: 12 m
Minimum dielectric constant: DK >1.4
Process temperature: –40 to +120°C
Process pressure: Vacuum to +16 bar
Ambient temperature: –40 to +80°C
Rope Probe Designed for Bulk Solid Applications
The FMP56 uses a rope probe and is designed for pulling forces up to 12 kN, making it suitable for bulk-solid applications where the probe can be subjected to mechanical loads from the material.
The rope probe can be supplied with different wetted materials, including 304, 316, 316Ti, 316L, PEEK, PPS and PA, depending on configuration.
The maximum sensor length and measuring distance are 12 m, making the FMP56 particularly suitable for medium-depth silos and storage vessels.
Stable Measurement Around Internal Obstacles
Silos and bulk-solid vessels frequently contain structural components such as supports, braces or other internal obstacles.
The guided radar measurement path helps the FMP56 maintain reliable level measurement even in vessels where installation conditions are not completely unobstructed. Endress+Hauser specifically identifies vessels with obstacles as an application for the FMP56.
This makes the instrument useful for applications where selecting a non-contact radar sensor may be more difficult because of the vessel geometry.
Designed for Powdery and Granular Materials
The FMP56 is intended for continuous level measurement of bulk solids, covering both powdery and granular materials.
Typical materials may include:
Powders
Granules
Plastic pellets
Dry bulk materials
Powdered raw materials
Granular industrial products
The instrument is particularly suited to silos and storage tanks where continuous level information is required for inventory monitoring or process control.
Advanced Echo Evaluation
The FMP56 incorporates Endress+Hauser's Multi-Echo Tracking evaluation technology to improve measurement reliability.
The instrument can also use HistoROM data management, helping simplify commissioning, maintenance and diagnostics.
Additional functions include:
Heartbeat Technology
Multi-Echo Tracking
HistoROM data management
Factory pre-calibration
Integrated data memory
Menu-guided operation
Optional Bluetooth commissioning
SmartBlue App operation
RFID TAG identification
Digital Communication and SmartBlue Access
The FMP56 supports common industrial communication interfaces for integration into process control and asset management systems.
Communication options include:
4–20 mA HART
PROFIBUS PA
FOUNDATION Fieldbus
Optional Bluetooth® wireless technology
When equipped with the Bluetooth module, the instrument can be accessed remotely using the SmartBlue App, simplifying commissioning and maintenance.
Suitable for Safety-Related Applications
Although positioned as an economically efficient basic model, the FMP56 can also be configured with relevant industrial safety and explosion protection options.
Available features and approvals include:
SIL capability up to SIL3
International explosion protection certificates
5-point linearity protocol
WHG-related applications depending on configuration
Heartbeat Technology
Typical Applications
The Levelflex FMP56 is particularly suitable for:
Bulk solid silos
Storage tanks
Powder storage
Granular material storage
High and narrow silos
Dusty bulk-solid environments
Vessels with internal obstacles
Its combination of guided radar technology, 12 m measuring range and ±2 mm accuracy makes it a practical solution for continuous level measurement of bulk solids under light-duty process conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Endress+Hauser Levelflex FMP56 used for?
The FMP56 is designed for continuous level measurement of powdery and granular bulk solids, particularly in silos and storage tanks.
Is FMP56 suitable for dusty environments?
Yes. The FMP56 is specifically designed to provide reliable measurement in dusty atmospheres, including high and narrow silos. Dust, filling noise and gas layers are identified by Endress+Hauser as conditions that do not affect the measurement.
What is the maximum measuring range of FMP56?
The maximum measuring distance is 12 m with the rope probe.
What is the accuracy of FMP56?
The FMP56 provides a specified rope-probe accuracy of ±2 mm.
What temperature and pressure can FMP56 handle?
The FMP56 supports process temperatures from –40 to +120°C and process pressures from vacuum to +16 bar.
What communication options are available?
The FMP56 supports 4–20 mA HART, PROFIBUS PA and FOUNDATION Fieldbus, with optional Bluetooth wireless communication and SmartBlue App access.
