Product Overview
E+H Solicap M FTI77 Capacitance Level Transmitter
Solicap M FTI77
The Endress+Hauser Solicap M FTI77 is a heavy-duty rope capacitance level transmitter designed for continuous level measurement in coarse bulk solids and heavy silos. Featuring high tensile strength and reliable electronics, it ensures precise and stable inventory monitoring in dusty, high-temperature industrial environments.
Continuous Bulk Solid Level Measurement with Endress+Hauser Solicap M FTI77
The Endress+Hauser Solicap M FTI77 is an industrial-grade capacitance level transmitter designed specifically for continuous level measurement in bulk solid silos, bunkers, and storage containers. Tailored to withstand the rigorous mechanical and environmental demands of the mining, cement, grain, chemical, and bulk material handling industries, the FTI77 delivers dependable inventory monitoring for powders, granules, pellets, and coarse aggregates.
Capacitive Measurement Principle & Heavy-Duty Rope Design
The Solicap M FTI77 operates on the capacitance measurement principle, measuring the electrical capacitance change between the fully insulated heavy-duty rope probe and the metallic silo wall as the bulk material level rises or falls. Because bulk solid silos generate immense lateral pressures and high tensile loads on internal installations, the FTI77 features a robust, high-tensile steel rope probe coated with wear-resistant insulation (such as PTFE or FEP). This mechanical durability prevents probe snapping or elongation under massive dead loads and shifting solid burdens.
Key Features & Technical Advantages
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Heavy-Duty Tensile Strength: Engineered with a robust, high-strength rope probe capable of handling deep silos and massive bulk material loads without structural failure.
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Abrasion & Wear Resistance: Fully insulated probe options protect against abrasive wear caused by sliding stone, gravel, grain, or cement powder.
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High-Temperature & Pressure Endurance: Built to operate reliably in elevated process temperatures and rugged industrial environments where standard sensors fail.
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Modular Housing & Display Options: Available with durable aluminum or stainless steel field housings, featuring optional local LCD displays for easy on-site setup and diagnostics.
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Standard 4–20 mA with HART: Supports analog output and digital communication protocols for seamless integration into plant control systems (PLC/DCS).
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Hazardous Area Certifications: Certified with international explosion-proof approvals (ATEX, FM, CSA, IECEx) for safe deployment in explosive dust atmospheres (Dust-Ex zones).
Reliable Performance in Dusty Environments
Silos storing cement, flour, grain, or minerals frequently experience dense dust clouds during filling and emptying cycles. Unlike optical or certain acoustic technologies that can be impaired by airborne dust, the capacitive measurement principle of the Solicap M FTI77 remains completely unaffected by dust, vapor, or acoustic noise, ensuring continuous, uninterrupted level tracking.
Applications
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Mining, Minerals & Metals: Ore storage bins, aggregate hoppers, coal bunkers, and raw material silos.
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Cement & Construction Industry: Limestone storage, clinker silos, fly ash bunkers, and cement powder distribution tanks.
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Agriculture & Food Processing: Grain silos, animal feed storage, flour bins, and seed hoppers.
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Chemical & Plastics Industry: Plastic granule (pellet) storage towers, fertilizer silos, and bulk chemical powder containers.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter / Feature | Specification Details |
| Measuring Principle | Capacitive continuous level measurement |
| Probe Type | Fully insulated heavy-duty rope probe |
| Max. Probe Length | Up to 30 m (100 ft) |
| Process Temperature | -50 °C to +150 °C (-58 °F to +302 °F) (higher options available) |
| Process Pressure (Abs.) | Vacuum up to 16 bar (232 psi) |
| Tensile Strength | High-load mechanical rope design for deep silos |
| Output Signal | 4–20 mA with HART communication |
| Wetted Materials | 316L Stainless Steel, PTFE / FEP rope insulation |
| Process Connections | Threaded or Flanged (ASME, EN, JIS) |
| Housing Materials | Powder-coated aluminum or 316L cast stainless steel |
| Ingress Protection | IP66 / IP67 (NEMA 4X) |
| Hazardous Approvals | ATEX, FM, CSA, IECEx, NEPSI (Dust-Ex compliant) |
Key Features & Benefits
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High Mechanical Load Capacity: Heavy-duty rope construction safely withstands the massive lateral forces exerted by shifting bulk solids.
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Dust-Independent Operation: Unaffected by dense dust clouds generated during pneumatic or mechanical silo filling.
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Wear-Resistant Insulation: Special coating protects the rope probe against abrasion from sharp rocks, gravel, or coarse grains.
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Deep Silo Range: Accommodates vertical measuring lengths of up to 30 meters for tall industrial storage facilities.
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Explosion Protection Compliance: Certified for safe use in hazardous dust-explosion classified areas.
FAQ
Q1: Can the Solicap M FTI77 be used in tall cement or grain silos?
Answer: Yes, the FTI77 utilizes a heavy-duty rope probe designed specifically for deep silos, supporting measuring lengths up to 30 meters (100 feet).
Q2: How does the sensor handle dense dust clouds inside the silo?
Answer: The capacitive measurement principle is completely immune to dust, making the FTI77 ideal for pneumatic filling environments where optical or ultrasonic sensors fail.
Q3: Is the rope probe resistant to abrasive materials like stone and gravel?
Answer: Yes, the probe features durable, abrasion-resistant insulation (such as PTFE or FEP) that protects against wear from sliding solid particles.
Q4: Does the FTI77 support remote monitoring and control systems?
Answer: Yes, it provides a standard 4–20 mA output with HART communication, allowing easy integration into plant DCS or PLC control networks.
Product documents
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