Endress+Hauser Liquiphant FTL63 – Hygienic Vibronic Level Switch
The Liquiphant FTL63 is a premium vibronic point level switch for liquids, developed specifically for hygienic and aseptic applications in the Food & Beverage and Life Sciences industries.
It provides reliable point level detection in process tanks, storage tanks and pipelines, including applications where foam, turbulence, air bubbles, deposits or changing liquid properties can make other level measurement principles more difficult to apply.
Premium Hygienic Design
The FTL63 is designed to meet demanding hygienic process requirements. Depending on configuration, it supports 3-A, EHEDG and ASME BPE requirements and offers material conformity for applications involving food contact.
Available documentation and approvals include conformity with EC 1935/2004, FDA and GB 4806, as well as cGMP-related requirements.
The sensor can also be supplied with mechanically or electropolished surfaces, helping meet different hygienic installation requirements.
Key Advantages
Premium vibronic point level detection
Designed for hygienic and aseptic applications
Suitable for Food & Beverage and Life Sciences
No media adjustment required
Reliable with foam, air bubbles and turbulence
Reliable despite product buildup
Suitable for liquids with viscosities up to 10,000 mm²/s
3-A, EHEDG and ASME BPE hygienic approvals
CIP/SIP compatible
Process temperature -50 to +150 °C
Process pressure up to 64 bar
Minimum medium density 0.5 g/cm³, optionally 0.4 g/cm³
Sensor length up to 3 m
Heartbeat Technology
Bluetooth® operation and maintenance
SIL 2 / SIL 3 according to IEC 61508
HART communication available
International hazardous-area approvals
Reliable Measurement Without Media Adjustment
The FTL63 uses a proven vibronic measurement principle to detect whether liquid is present at the switching point.
Unlike measurement principles that can be strongly influenced by conductivity or dielectric constant, the vibronic principle provides reliable switching across a wide range of pumpable liquids.
This makes the FTL63 suitable for processes where the medium can change or where foam, deposits, turbulence and air bubbles may occur.
Hygienic Performance for CIP and SIP Processes
For hygienic production environments, equipment must be designed to withstand regular cleaning and sterilization procedures.
The FTL63 supports CIP/SIP applications and can be configured with hygienic process connections and appropriate surface finishes. This makes it suitable for process equipment where cleanability and product-contact material compliance are important.
Designed for High-Viscosity Liquids
The FTL63 is also suitable for applications involving relatively viscous pumpable liquids.
The specified application range covers viscosities up to 10,000 mm²/s (cSt), providing flexibility for products where conventional point level switches may be affected by viscosity or buildup.
High Process Pressure and Temperature Capability
The FTL63 is designed for demanding hygienic process conditions, with:
Process temperature: -50 to +150 °C
Process pressure: Vacuum to +64 bar
Minimum medium density: 0.5 g/cm³
Optional minimum density: 0.4 g/cm³
Sensor length: 148 mm to 3,000 mm depending on configuration
This combination makes it suitable for hygienic tanks, process vessels and pipelines operating under elevated temperature or pressure.
Digital Diagnostics and Maintenance
The FTL63 combines its established vibronic sensing principle with modern diagnostic functions.
Heartbeat Technology provides continuous diagnostics and enables traceable, documented verification without interrupting the process. Bluetooth® connectivity also allows intuitive operation and maintenance.
A bright LED module can provide direct visual indication of the process status, helping technicians identify operating conditions quickly.
Safety and Process Protection
The FTL63 can be used in applications requiring additional process protection.
Depending on configuration, it supports SIL 2/SIL 3 according to IEC 61508 and WHG overfill protection. International hazardous-area approvals are also available for suitable configurations.
Typical protection functions include:
High-level detection
Overfill protection
Low-level detection
Pump dry-run protection
Point level monitoring in process pipelines
Flexible Sensor Configuration
The FTL63 uses a modular design that allows the sensor configuration to be adapted to the installation.
The compact sensor can also be equipped with an extension tube, with sensor lengths available up to 3 m. This provides greater flexibility for tanks and process vessels with different installation depths.
Main Technical Parameters
Measurement principle: Vibronic / vibration
Measurement type: Point level detection
Application: Pumpable liquids
Industries: Food & Beverage, Life Sciences
Process temperature: -50 to +150 °C
Process pressure: Vacuum to +64 bar
Minimum medium density: 0.5 g/cm³
Optional density: 0.4 g/cm³
Maximum viscosity: 10,000 mm²/s (cSt)
Sensor length: 148–3,000 mm
Surface finish: Mechanical or electropolished
Communication: HART, Bluetooth®
Safety: SIL 2 / SIL 3, WHG
Hygienic approvals: 3-A, EHEDG, ASME BPE
Food contact compliance: EC 1935/2004, FDA, GB 4806
Cleaning: CIP/SIP
Hazardous-area approvals: ATEX, IECEx, CSA C/US, JPN Ex, KC Ex, INMETRO Ex, NEPSI Ex/CCC, UK Ex
Typical Applications
The Liquiphant FTL63 is particularly suitable for:
Food & Beverage processing
Life Sciences manufacturing
Hygienic storage tanks
Aseptic process tanks
Process pipelines
CIP/SIP systems
High-viscosity liquid applications
Overfill protection
Pump dry-run protection
Hygienic point level detection
Its combination of vibronic technology, hygienic construction, broad process capability and certified safety functions makes the FTL63 particularly suitable for demanding sanitary processes.
FAQ
What is the Liquiphant FTL63 used for?
The FTL63 is a hygienic vibronic point level switch for liquids, used for level detection in process tanks, storage tanks and pipelines.
Is the FTL63 suitable for food and beverage applications?
Yes. It was specifically developed for Food & Beverage and Life Sciences applications and is available with 3-A, EHEDG and ASME BPE hygienic approvals.
Can the FTL63 be used for aseptic applications?
Yes. The FTL63 is designed for hygienic and aseptic applications and supports appropriate hygienic certifications and material compliance.
Does the FTL63 require calibration?
No. The vibronic measurement principle provides point level switching without media adjustment, simplifying commissioning when process media change.
What is the maximum process temperature?
The FTL63 supports process temperatures from -50 to +150 °C.
What is the maximum process pressure?
The maximum specified process pressure is 64 bar, with the operating range extending from vacuum to 64 bar depending on configuration.
Can the FTL63 measure high-viscosity liquids?
Yes. It is specified for pumpable liquids with viscosities of up to 10,000 mm²/s (cSt).
Does the FTL63 support SIL?
Yes. Depending on configuration, the FTL63 supports SIL 2 / SIL 3 according to IEC 61508.
