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What is a Flow Switch?

Eicos is a manufacturer of flow switches for liquids. But what is a flow switch? How does it work? What are their applications?

The flow switches, also known as "flow sensors" or "flow detectors", are instruments for flow monitoring in pipes and work with the displacement of a magnetic piston that indicates the increase or decrease of the liquid flow, triggering the contact of the reed switch. The piston is controlled by a spring and returns to the initial position when there is no fluid, even if there is pressure in the pipe.

How the Flow Switch Works

Our flow switches complete line offers a selection of products for different types of applications. The sensors can be applied in water, oil and aqueous fluids (without solid particles) and have sensitivity adjustment for the flow to be detected, determining the flow point at which the sensor will be activated. We produce a variety of sensors that serve from low to high liquid flow rates, with low or high viscosity.

Sensitivity adjust of the Eicos flow switch

Sensitivity adjustment of the Eicos flow switch

The Eicos flow switches are versatile, allowing you to adjust the activation flow in the sensor itself, that’s why the same sensor can be used in applications with different flow rates (within the sensitivity range of the sensor), thus obtaining better control and monitoring of the fluids.

Our flow indicators are manufactured in Polyphthalamide (PPA) and have female GAS (BSP) connection thread. The output connection is Normally Open (NO), with the ON signal when the flow (in liters per minute) exceeds the defined setting on the sensor and the OFF signal when the flow decreases below the defined setting.

Its use is to detect the decrease or increase of the flow in pipes. Thus, they are applied to prevent damage to pumps, bearings and equipment that must have a constant flow of some liquid material in the process. The Eicos flow switch can turn off the equipment or simply signal with a lamp or acoustic alarm.

To Learn More About Our Sensors

To choose the best sensor (flow detector) for your application, you should be aware of the following factors:

Pipe size and flow of the system

We manufacture flow switches with BSP connection thread from 1/4" to 2", for the following categories: low flows (1/4"), medium flows (1/2", 3/4" and 1") and high flows (1 ½" and 2").

In what fluid the sensor will be applied

Our sensors are recommended for use with water, oil and fuels. For applications with chemical or corrosive products, pretest is required. We have models for different liquid viscosity rates.

The operating temperature and pressure

The Eicos flow switches operate at temperature from 0°C to 100°C and withstand pressure up to 25Bar.

Activation flow

The models of the Eicos flow switches handle different actuation ranges. You must choose the most suitable range according to the sensitivity required in the application.

Impurity in the fluids

The solid particles in the fluids can obstruct the piston in the flow switch, that's why the indication is that they are used with clean or filtered liquids.