PTC level sensor for overfill protection works based on the thermal resistance (Rw). The sensor cannot identify high-temperature fluid in the container and determine the pump switching status “ON†and “OFFâ€. This is due to the influence of the medium temperature on the Rw. Analysis is performed by observing the Rw value of crude palm oil (CPO) as a result of the storage temperature. The Rw value was obtained from the modeling of I (U) sensor curve of EPCOS B59050D1100 with temperature variations ranging from 20°C to 80°C. The modeled area is then determined using the isothermal curve and is resulted Rw value of 110.2K/W. The ambient temperature influence on Rw can be modeled after polynomial equation. Compare to the previous air measurement, the thermal resistance in CPO has 62.6% vary than in the air. This value can be used to determine the position of the level sensor switch safely.
Keywords: level sensors, PTC, thermal resistance, CPO, isothermal