Capacitance sensor

Capacitance pressure transducers were originally developed for use in low vacuum
research. This capacitance change results from the movement of a diaphragm element
(Figure 47). The diaphragm is usually metal or metal-coated quartz and is exposed to
the process pressure on one side and to the reference pressure on the other. Depending
on the reference pressure, the capacitive transducer can be either an absolute, gauge,
or differential pressure transducer.

Stainless steel is the most common diaphragm material used, but for corrosive service,
high-nickel steel alloys, such as Inconel or Hastelloy, give better performance. Tantalum
also is used for highly corrosive, high temperature applications. As a special case, silver
diaphragms can be used to measure the pressure of chlorine, fluorine, etc.

 In a capacitance-type pressure sensor, a high-frequency, high-voltage oscillator is used

to charge the sensing electrode elements. In a two-plate capacitor sensor design, the
movement of the diaphragm between the plates is detected as an indication of the
changes in process pressure.
 Figure 47 - Capacitance-Based Pressure Cell
 

As shown in Figure 47, the deflection of the diaphragm causes a change in capacitance
that is detected by a bridge circuit.

Single-plate capacitor designs are also common. In this design, the plate is located on
the back side of the diaphragm and the variable capacitance is a function of deflection of
the diaphragm. Therefore, the detected capacitance is an indication of the process
pressure. The capacitance is converted into either a direct current or a voltage signal
that can be read directly by panel meters or microprocessor-based input/output boards.
Capacitance pressure transducers are widespread in part because of their wide
rangeability, from high vacuums in the micron range to 10,000 psig (70 MPa). Differential
pressures as low as 0.01 inches of water can readily be measured. And, compared with
strain gage transducers, they do not drift much. Better designs are available that are
accurate to within 0.1% of reading or 0.01% of full scale. A typical temperature effect is
0.25% of full scale per 540oC.
 Capacitance-type sensors are often used as less important standards, especially in low-
differential and low-absolute pressure applications. They also are quite responsive,
because the distance the diaphragm must physically travel is only a few microns. Newer
capacitance pressure transducers are more resistant to corrosion and are less sensitive
to stray capacitance and vibration effects.
 Figure 48 - Resonant-Wire Pressure Transducer

CAPACITANCE LEVEL MEASUREMENT

Capacitance is the ability to store electrical energy in the form of an electrostatic field.
The basic components of any simple capacitor are conductive plates that are separated
by a dielectric or insulating material. Capacitance is a function of three variables:

 The surface area of the plates

  The distance between the plates

 The strength of the dielectric

A change in any of the three variables will result in a change in capacitance. In a system
that uses capacitance to measure level, a single probe or a set of probes can be used.
The probe, or the set of probes, acts as the plates of the capacitor; the dielectric is air
and the tank liquid, which is usually a poor conductor of current. As liquid levels change,
the only variable that changes is the dielectric strength of the material between the
probes. The dielectric strength changes as the probes are exposed to increased or
decreased amounts of liquid that has a greater dielectric strength than air.

A low voltage high frequency signal is applied to a level probe and a minute current
flows between the probe and ground usually via the vessel itself. Clearly, the probe
itself needs to be insulated from the vessel and this forms one plate of the capacitor
while the vessel wall itself forms the other plate.

Figure 28 – Capacitance Probe (Theory)

1.1. CAPACITANCE LEVEL SYSTEM

C = E KA

C = Capacitance in (pico Farads)

E = Constant

K = Dielectric Constant
 A = Area of Conductor

d = Distance Between Plates

A change in any of the three variables will result in a change in capacitance.

Capacitance
Transmitter

Capacitance
Probe (Plate 2)

Vessel Wall
(Plate 1)

Process Fluid
(Dielectric)

Figure 29 - Capacitance Level System

 The probe is one plate of the capacitor and the other plate is the side
wall of the tank. The process fluid being the dielectric completes the
circuit.
 An increase in capacitance is proportional to the height of the fluid on
the probe

 A low voltage high frequency signal is applied to the level probe and a
small current flows between the probe and ground via the vessel wall,
(The probe itself needs to be insulated from the vessel)

 With the tank empty, the insulating medium between the two conductors
is air. With the tank full, the insulating material is the process liquid.

 This produces a change in capacitance in the sensing probe. This

capacitance is measured to provide a direct, linear measurement of tank
level.