Bilge level sensors have to operate in harsh environment. Shridhan Automation’s bilge alarm systems, which are extensively tested, are designed to deliver long-term reliability and accuracy.

Bilge level switches are a safety critical component for the detection of liquid in dead spaces, void and sumps that are rarely visited or inspected by the crew. They need to be able to withstand years of installation in difficult environmental conditions, yet operate immediately and reliably to indicate rising liquid level, a leakage or flooding hazard. The switch is also designed with a manual lift test mechanism, which can be used to check switch operation.

When considering bilge level sensors, it would be easy for a ship builder or owner to try cut cost by using cheaper devices, often constructed with poor quality materials and design.  Shridhan Automation believes that this approach compromises reliability as maintenance and replacement costs will always exceed those of installing “the right device first time”.

Due to the harsh environments that this bilge water level switch is likely to encounter, extensive successful testing has been undertaken, exceeding the required environmental testing for Marine Type Approval laid out in IACS Unified requirement E10 and the relevant sections of IEC945.

Shridhan provides in addition to bilge level switches, consolidated solution for integration and automation for ship operators.

A control panel system consisting of buzzer, with acknowledgement, indication lamps, relay contacts in proportionate to the number of bilge level switches. The panels are designed to withstand the extreme environmental conditions in cargo hold, pump room and engine room. Shridhan provides custom engineered systems for worldwide marine application requirements. Some of the features are high reliability; self-monitoring; easy setting & installation; easy maintenance; intrinsically safe design, approval by major classification societies, etc.

Its specifications are: Material Type (316 stainless steel - Stem, Float, Test mechanism, body plates and slosh shield); Cable (2 meters of heavy duty XLPE sheathed 18-3-core rated 600V); Max. Temperature is 125°C; Max. Pressure is 12 bar; Switch (SPDT Reed form c with 50 VA contact rating); Max rating of 1.5 A; Max. voltage of 250 V AC/ 24 V DC; Float SG of 0.62; Ingress Protection (IP-68); Approvals from American Bureau of Shipping; etc.

Highlights of alarm system panel are Enclosure is made of weather proof IP54 mild steel construction with powder coating; Cable entry (PG16); Indication lamps (High level alarm lamp, Common relay, Buzzer, Alarm acknowledgement); Alarm display (Red LED and Buzzer); Other alarm (Power fail); Alarm output (One relay contact/ per level switch 5Amps at 250 V AC); Contact form - SPDT (1NO + 1NC); Operating temperature (5°C – 60°C); and Power Source (230 V AC).

Bilge level system is suitable for marine and offshore installations (in chemical parcel tankers, chemical tankers, oil tankers, FSO, FPSO etc), and land-based systems catered for the petrochemical, refinery and process industry.

For details, contact Shridhan Automation Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, on 080 2843 7847, 2843 7848, and email: info@shridhan.com