Level Measurement

Visual Level
Indicators VLI
 ● Single-pole Magnet System ● Temperature Stability

Principles of design
The WEKA VLI operating principle is based The magnetic materials used in the WEKA
on the use of a permanent bar magnet System have been selected for optimal
system which ensures the safe and reliable performance even at extreme tempera-
activation of visual indication elements tures. Years of experience have proven our
(flags), switches and transmitters, even preconditioning of components ensuring
when used on thick-wall high-pressure indi- negligible degradation of magnetic flux.
cator pipe.
● Compact Design
● Magnetic Guide Tape The low weight of the WEKA bar magnet
The patented magnetic guide tape is inte- permits the use of lightweight hermetically
grated within the indication rail to ensure sealed floats. Compact in size, the WEKA
the float bar magnet is always aligned like a floats ensure the highest possible diameter
compass needle to the polarized flags and difference between float OD and tube ID –
switches. This ensures continuous reliabi- an important advantage when dirty or highly
lity of the indicating, switching and trans- viscous liquids need to be measured.
mitter control functions. The short float design also often enables a
larger indication range compared to compe-
● Magnetic Coupling
titive products.
Every flag of the WEKA indication rail is
equipped with its own permanent magnet. ● Multi-functional:
Thus the indication flags magnetically Three functions in one system!
interlock with each other and so are kept in – Level indicator
a stable position. The patented guide tape – Level switch
further enhances performance through the – Level transmitter
magnetic damping effect that produces
safe and reliable indication of liquid level,
even under difficult applications with rapidly
changing liquid levels or vibrations.

Pipe

Float

Diverse float types are available

for the different applications

Bar magnet

Magnetic
guide tape

Indication flags
with integrated
permanent magnets

WEKA VLIs can be mounted

in various ways
 Competence · Partnership
Quality · Flexibility · Sustainability
Keeping Liquids and Gases under control
Learn more about the history of the WEKA and how WEKA has managed
to reach the top of the world market!
1940 Arthur Welter and August Karrer founded WEKA. Purpose of the business
was manufacture and sale of lead fittings. Within only two years it became
necessary to move into larger production facilities.
1949 Reorganisation as WEKA AG.
1962 The original version of the WEKA Magnetic Level Indicator was patented.
WEKA moved ahead in the area of measurement and control technology.
1978 WEKA produced the first cryogenic valves and couplings.
1979 WEKA heralded the step across the Atlantic with the signing of
a license contract with GEMS Sensors Division of IMO Industries for the
manufacture of WEKASureSite Magnetic Level Indicators in the USA.
1981 Successful start in the USA and take-over from IMO Industries. The
Founders sell the company after 40 years of operations. WEKA becomes
a part of the IMO Group, Lawrenceville, N.J.
1991 New facilities in Bäretswil, approx. 25km south-east of Zurich.
1995 Take-over the european manufacturing from GEMS tank level instruments.
1997 WEKA as a part of the Gems Sensors Group becomes part of the
DANAHER Corporation, USA.
2001 WEKA became a member of the Arca Group, a well-known German
company for control valves.
2002 The Total Quality Management System of WEKA has successfully
been audited by the German Lloyd according ISO 9001 and PED module
H and H1. At the same time the welding approval was renewed.
2003 The QS-System has been approved according to ATEX.
2007 WEKA integrates personnel and manufacturing facilities of Flowserve S.A.
in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) including «Bättig» Valve program
MicroFlow and LowFlow Valves.
2007 WEKA introduces SAP All-in-One for all business processes successfully
within short time.
2009 WEKA became the approval by Zelm Ex according to IECEx.
2017 WEKA implements Lean Management and focuses on efficient processes
and continuous improvement to achieve maximum customer benefit.
2018 WEKA proves its sustainable behaviour by achieving the second-best rating
by the independent testing company EcoVadis.

A member of the ARCA Flow Group:

www.arca-valve.com www.feluwa.com www.von-rohr.ch www.artes-valve.com www.weka-ag.ch

VLI program

Series Economy-Line Economy-Line

Type 34000E 23614E
Execution A, K A, K
Max. operating pressure @ 20 °C up to 6 bar up to 6 bar
Operating temperature –40 up to +100 °C –40 up to +100 °C
Pipe size OD 33.7 mm OD 53 mm
Minimum density > 0.6 g/cm3 > 0.8 g/cm3
Recommended viscosity of the fluid max. 150 cSt max. 600 cSt
All data are valid for the basic versions

● Modular Design The WEKA VLI (Visual Level Indicator) pro- tions -A, -B, -K and -O are available: Upper
gram is built up in a modular system. It can and lower process connections can be top
therefore be readily configured to precisely to bottom or side to side. But also mixed
match the requirements of a very wide versions with a lateral and side process
variety of applications and operating condi- connection can be ordered.
tions. Within each series the basic execu-

Execution-A Execution -B Execution -K Execution -O

Upper and lower process Upper and lower process Upper and lower process Upper and lower process
ports: top to bottom ports: top to bottom ports: side to side ports: side to side
Upper float chamber end: Upper and lower float Upper float chamber end: cap Upper and lower float
threaded cap chamber ends: Lower float chamber end: chamber ends: service flange
Lower float chamber end: threaded flange service flange
threaded flange
 integrated
shut-off valves

Smart-Line 50 Standard 6 Standard 28 Standard 50

34000/34110 23614 34300 32755
A, B, K, O A, B, K, O A, B, K, O A, B, K, O
up to 50 bar up to 6 bar up to 28 bar up to 50 bar
–80 up to +250 °C –80 up to +150 °C –100 up to +400 °C –80 up to +400 °C
OD 33.7 mm OD 53 mm OD 53 mm OD 54 mm
≥ 0.6 g/cm3 ≥ 0.65 g/cm3 ≥ 0.55 g/cm3 ≥ 0.55 g/cm3
max. 150 cSt max. 600 cSt max. 600 cSt max. 600 cSt

● Wide range of operating conditions ● Energy-free, reliable operation

Operating pressures can be from vacuum WEKA VLIs are ideally suited for plant start-
to 500 bar. Float chambers are available up operations. The indication function
with design pressures up to 630 bar. Liquid does not require electrical power. The float
densities > 0.3 g/cm3 and media tempera- principle makes this a direct method of level
tures from 77 K to 673 K (–196 °C to measurement, with definite level indication.
+400 °C) allow use for applications like The control functions of a VLI are independ-
cryogenic liquid gases LPG/LNG, water ent of its display function. Therefore the
hydraulics and steam boilers. Closed floats level is always observable, even if the
are available for most liquids at pressures power supply fails.
up to 350 bar. Open floats are available for
non condensating liquids at pressures up to
630 bar.

● Versatility through choice of materials

Standard materials Stainless steel with higher Engineered Plastics

– Stainless steel 316/316L molybdenum content, e.g. – PVDF, PP, PE, PVC
1.4404 / 1.4432 – 1.4539 (904L; UNS N08904) – ECTFE (Halar) coating
1.4435 – 254 SMO (UNS 31254) – PTFE-PFA lining
Group A4 austenitic steel – Teflon-PFA coating

Stainless steel materials Nickel alloys and special WEKA VLI Level Indicators
as option metals, e.g can be manufactured according
– 304/304L 1.4301 / 1.4306 – Inconel®/Incoloy®/Hastelloy® to special request in almost any WEKA VLI Smart-Line,
1.4307 – Titanium alloys non-magnetic material, subject to Type 34000-K
– (316Ti) 1.4571 – Zirconium and Tantalum physical properties and chemical
– 321 1.4541 – Aluminum alloys compatibility.
High Pressure – Power Petro Top of Tank Engineered Plastic
Diverse Diverse Diverse Diverse
A, B, K, O A, B, K, O – A, B, K, O
up to 500 bar up to 630 bar up to 50 bar up to 10 bar
–80 up to +400 °C –80 up to +400 °C –80 up to +400 °C according to material
diverse diverse diverse diverse
≥ 0.6 g/cm3 ≥ 0.27 g/cm3 ≥ 0.3 g/cm3 > 0.6 g/cm3
max. 600 cSt max. 600 cSt max. 600 cSt max. 600 cSt

● Excellent Readability ments. If necessary, the standard interfaces

The wide colour contrasted indicating flags can be adapted to match the requirements
are easily and clearly readable, even from of customer’s control systems. Magnetic
far distances. The flag elements are nor- flag elements of WEKA VLI indication rails
mally red and aluminum coloured, but can can be supplied with colour combinations
be optionally ordered with alternative colour other than the standard colours. The WEKA
combinations. Difficult liquids in corrosive magnet and indication rail system can also
and high/low temperature applications do be used for position indication of hydraulic
not effect the reliable functioning of WEKA and pneumatic cylinder pistons and pres-
VLIs, because the liquid inside the float sure accumulator diaphragms. WEKA’s
chamber is totally isolated from the indica- extensive custom design expertise can pro-
tion rail. For the same reason, readability is duce reliable instrumentation solutions
not impaired by turbid conditions. for linear displacement monitoring require-
ments.
● Level Measurement à la carte
WEKA VLIs can provide an optimal solution ● Applications
for almost any level measuring and control WEKA has accumulated a wealth of knowl-
application. For most applications, a suit- edge about design and manufacturing of
able indicator can be configured from stand- indicators and sensors for special applica-
ard modular components. Special solu- tions. We have many years of practical
tions are frequently needed for unusual experience in the use of WEKA VLI Level
operating and installation conditions. Our Indicators in chemical and other process
customers can take advantage of our industries, shipbuilding, thermal power
40 year experience in manufacturing cus- plants, hydraulic systems, railways, vehicu-
Petro-VLI – Our solution for your
tom level indicators based on the proven lar applications, petrochemical industries,
petrochemical applications
WEKA design of magnetic float and indica- and refrigeration systems, to name just
tion rail. We cover an extremely wide range a few.
of special level instrumentation require-
 1 Indication Rails The number of switching points is limited

VLI Components
The indication rails of WEKA VLIs are never only by the availability of space. Magnetic
in contact with the process media, and are switch modules are available for use in
consequently maintenance-free. The flags highly combustible atmospheres: either as
of these indication rails are 36 mm wide, intrinsically safe (Ex i) versions or with
and therefore easily read even from far pressure-tight explosion-proof (Ex d) hous-
distances. The lightweight flags are mag- ings that conform to the European Directive
netically coupled to each other and respond ATEX/IECEx.
positively even at float displacement
3 Transmitters
speeds of 2 meters per second. The special
WEKA VLIs are available with an optional
design of WEKA VLIs ensures reliable read-
electronic transmitter to provide a continu-
out at all times: the flags hold their posi-
ously variable electrical signal that can be
tions even in the presence of vibration and
fed to a remote level indicator, PID con-
temperature variations. For outdoor installa-
troller, recorder or PLC. This can be in the
tions, refrigerant applications and food-pro-
form of a 3-wire (current or resistance) or
cessing industries we recommend indica-
2-wire (current loop) output. These trans-
1 tion rails with a polyolefin protective tube
mitters are available for media tempera-
which is more resistant towards aggressive
tures up to +350 °C. A choice of output
atmospheres, and also prevents ice forma-
connections are available: plug-in connector,
2 tion and condensation.
terminal box, or pre-wired cable lead. Trans-
– The standard indication rail is made of
mitters are optionally available for use in
polycarbonate. This is suitable for media
3 highly combustible atmospheres: either as
temperatures ranging from cryogenic to
intrinsically safe (Ex i) versions or with
+150 °C, and has a viewing angle of 240°.
pressure-tight explosion-proof (Ex d) hous-
The profile has stainless steel end-caps.
4 ings that conform to the European Directive
The flags are red and aluminum
ATEX/IECEx.
anodized, but are optionally
available with other colour 4 Measuring Scales

combinations, for example Measuring scales are available with printed

to conform to a process media or engraved aluminium dibond or stainless
colour coding scheme. steel scales. The standard scale division
– For media temperatures up to is 10 cm: users may optionally order other
+250 °C, the rail is made of alu- scale divisions.
minum and the cover of trans-
parent polycarbonate. Detailed information about the WEKA VLI
WEKA VLI Standard, Type 34300-K – For media temperatures up to +400 °C, product range, including accessories, is
the rail is made of aluminum and the cover available at our website www.weka-ag.ch.
of glass. The flags are black and aluminium
enamel varnished.

2 Magnetic Switches
2 3
WEKA VLIs are available with magnetic
switches installed at the rear of the float
chamber, actuated by the rear field of the
bar magnet in the float. These switches
add level detection functions to VLIs. The
20 mA
switches may be connected directly to 100%
inputs of PLCs or computer-based systems,
or through contactors for control of valves
or pumps. The magnetic switches are bi-
Magnetic stable: each is latched in one state (open or 4 mA
switches 0%
are available closed) on the first pass of the float’s bar
in various magnet, and reset to the original state on
versions ON/OFF
the second (reverse) pass. The magnetic
switches are available as on-off (SPST) or
changeover (SPDT) types. The stainless Transmitters make the visual indicator
to a level transmitter
ON/OFF steel housings allow them to be used in
practically any type of environment, and
with media temperatures up to +350 °C.
Cryogenic
Components
Cryogenic Valves
Transfer Line Couplings
Flow Sensors

Valve Technology
Cryogenic Valves
Check Valves
High-pressure Valves
Inox Valves

Flyer_VLI_EN, 02.17, technical modifications reserved

Level
Measurement WEKA AG, Schürlistrasse 8
Visual Level Indicators VLI CH-8344 Bäretswil, Switzerland
Tank Level Instruments TLI Industry Phone +41 43 833 43 43
Tank Level Instruments TLI Marine [email protected] · www.weka-ag.ch

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