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  1. PL industrial pressure transmitters
  2. Setup and support
  3. Installation guidelines

PL pressure transmitters installation guidelines

Pressure sensors are quite easy to install.

  • Ensure no pressure is applied to the system.
  • Insert the sensor into an appropriate process connection. Tighten to 25...35 Nm depending on the pressure range, lubrication, seal and load.

For best performance of the PL family of pressure sensors, please adhere to the following guidelines explained below and in our published operating instructions.

Should you need additional support, feel free to contact our service center at 888-704-0702 and speak to one of our applications engineers.

PL15 installation

The PL15 pressure transmitter has various sealing concepts.

Check out the "How-to" installation video below.

The way the PL15 transmitter seals and maintains a flush mounting depends on how it is installed. The below illustrations and descriptions further explain the various sealing concepts shown in the "How-to" video.

PL15 mounting
  1. Adaptation with existing welding adapter
    In combination with an O-ring, the PL15 sensor can be used at the sealing edge at pressures of up to 60 bar. At pressures > 60 bar, the seal between housing and process connection is used.
  2. Using ifm adapters E30509 and E30516
    When using ifm adapters, a metal-to-metal sealing edge is formed directly at the sensor tip which is not limited by pressure. This prevents fluid media such as paints or lacquers from entering the threaded area of the measurement connection under high pressure, from depositing there, or from mixing / contaminating subsequent media further into the process.
  3. Installation in a block or a pipe
    When installing in a standard ½ threaded hole, the seal between housing and process connection is used.

ifm adapters (sealing concept #2)

  Part no. Description
E30509 Welding adapter, Ø32 mm
E43440 Welding mandrel
E30516 1" NPT adapter

Installation of E30509 welding adapter

Follow appropriate welding practices suitable for the actual installation. Take care to avoid warping, overheating, or damage to the sealing surface. Use both the E30509 adapter and E43440 weld mandrel.

Bore hole in pipe or tank wall with the outside diameter of the adapter.
Insert weld mandrel E43440 (2) into adapter E30509 (1) and tighten by hand.
Spot weld adapter in several equidistant points.
Weld seams on opposite sides to avoid overheating and warping.
Weld inside if possible.
Remove mandrel and carefully deburr adapter thread.

Screw in sensor by hand to check for fit. If sensor does not thread easily into adapter, do not force with a tool. Check the thread and replace adapter if necessary.

Installation designed into your environment

The BSPP thread of the PL15 transmitters comply with DIN ISO 228 standards. Details on the thread design to create a metal-to-metal seal identical to ifm's adapters can be found on page 10 of the operating instructions for the PL15.

Sealing ring alternatives

Front sealing ring, ID Ø16.4 mm, OD Ø18.4 mm
E30510 FKM
E30511 EPDM
E30512 FFKM
Rear sealing ring, ID Ø18.5 mm, OD Ø23.9 mm
E30492 FKM (Supplied with sensor)
E30451 EPDM
E30513 FFKM

PL54 installation

ifm adapters

  Part no. Description
E30503 Welding adapter, Ø35 mm
E30508 Welding mandrel
E30521 ½" NPT adapter

Installation of E30503 welding adapter

Follow appropriate welding practices suitable for the actual installation. Take care to avoid warping, overheating, or damage to the sealing surface. Use both the E30503 adapter and E30508 weld mandrel.

Bore hole in pipe or tank wall with the outside diameter of the adapter.
Insert weld mandrel E30508 (2) into adapter E30503 (1) and tighten by hand.
Spot weld adapter in several equidistant points.
Weld seams on opposite sides to avoid overheating and warping.
Weld inside if possible.
Remove mandrel and carefully deburr adapter thread.

Screw in sensor by hand to check for fit. If sensor does not thread easily into adapter, do not force with a tool. Check the thread and replace adapter if necessary.

Installation designed into your environment

The BSPP thread of the PL54 transmitters comply with DIN ISO 228 standards. Details on the thread design to create a metal-to-metal seal identical to ifm's adapters can be found on page 6 of the operating instructions for the PL54.

Sealing ring alternatives

Sealing ring alternatives
Front sealing ring, ID Ø8.5 mm, OD Ø11.5 mm
E30517 FKM (Supplied with sensor)
E30519 EPDM
E30518 FFKM
Rear sealing ring, ID Ø11.6 mm, OD Ø16.5 mm
E30145 FKM (Supplied with sensor)
E30442 EPDM
E30520 FFKM