Small Capacitive Sensors for Feed and Material Detection

Where are small capacitive sensors used?

Small capacitive sensors are ideal for applications where material needs to be detected reliably but installation space is limited. They can detect materials such as feed, grain, seeds, and other solid or loose materials without direct mechanical contact.

Typical applications include feed hoppers, feed pans, feeding lines, silos, and other automated feeding or material-handling equipment. Their compact size makes them particularly useful where a standard-sized sensor is difficult to install.

When space is limited

In compact equipment, even a few millimeters can make a difference. Sensors may need to fit between mechanical components, inside small hoppers, or close to feed lines without interfering with the equipment.

A small capacitive sensor makes it possible to add reliable material detection in places where installation space is restricted. This gives equipment manufacturers greater flexibility when designing or upgrading automated systems.

Capacitve Sensors With Heat
Avoid condensation and built of ice on your sensors in extreme cold condition.
Mount Inside the Feed Pan
A small capacitive sensor like DOL 26 fits inside a feed pan and can therefor be mounted out of reach of the animals.

How does capacitive detection work?

A capacitive sensor detects changes in the electrical field around its sensing surface. When material enters the detection area, the sensor registers the change and switches its output.

Unlike mechanical switches, capacitive sensors can detect material without moving parts. They can be used to detect many non-metallic materials, including feed and grain, and can in some applications detect material through a non-metallic surface.

This makes capacitive sensing particularly useful for automated feeding and material-handling systems.

What to look for when choosing a small capacitive sensor

Size is important, but it should not be the only consideration. The right sensor also depends on what you need to detect, where the sensor will be installed, the surrounding environment, mounting conditions, and how the signal will be used by the equipment or controller.

For agricultural equipment, it is also important to consider exposure to dust, moisture, temperature changes, cleaning, and electrical interference.

DOL 26 – a compact solution

The DOL 26 is a small capacitive proximity sensor designed for applications where installation space is limited.

Its compact design makes it well suited for detecting feed and other materials in feeding and material-handling equipment. Like other capacitive sensors from dol-sensors, it is designed for reliable operation in demanding agricultural environments.

DOL 26 is available in different variants, making it possible to select a solution that fits the requirements of the application and control system.

Explore DOL 26 small capacitive sensor

For equipment manufacturers and OEMs

Looking for a sensor to integrate into your equipment?

Choosing a sensor for an automated system is about more than finding a component that fits. It needs to provide reliable detection, work with your control system, withstand the operating environment, and continue performing over the lifetime of the equipment.

DOL Sensors works with equipment manufacturers and system integrators worldwide to find sensor solutions for feeding and other automated systems.

Tell us what you need to detect, where the sensor will be installed, and how it needs to interface with your system. We can help you determine whether DOL 26 – or another capacitive sensor – is the right solution.

Discuss Your Application

Capacitive Sensors Series Connection
Learn how continuous monitoring helps producers identify developing production challenges through changes in water consumption, growth performance and other key production indicators.

Connect Capacitive Sensors in Series for Smarter Equipment Control

Use multiple capacitive sensors to verify different conditions before equipment starts. Series connection provides a simple way to improve control of feeding and material handling equipment.

When one sensor is not enough

In many automated feeding systems, equipment is controlled based on whether material is detected at a single point.

But sometimes you need to know what is happening in two places at the same time.

Is there feed available in the hopper? Is the feed pan already full? Should the auger actually be running?

By connecting capacitive sensors in series, you can use multiple detection points as one condition for controlling the equipment.

Mechanical Switches Vs Capacitive Sensors
Learn how continuous monitoring helps producers identify developing production challenges through changes in water consumption, growth performance and other key production indicators.

Damaged Mechanical Switches Cause Problems in Livestock Feed Lines

In the world of livestock production, efficient and reliable feed delivery systems are crucial. These systems often rely on sensors to regulate and monitor feed flow.

Among the most commonly used are mechanical switches and capacitive sensors. While each has its advantages, there are some distinct problems associated with mechanical switches compared to capacitive sensors.

Mechanical Switches: Prone to Wear and Tear

Mechanical switches function through physical contact, which inherently makes them prone to wear and tear. In a livestock feed line, these switches are subjected to constant movement and abrasive feed materials, leading to a gradual degradation of their components. Over time, this can result in:

Increased Maintenance

Frequent replacements and adjustments become necessary as parts wear out. This means more work and more unwanted disturbances to the livestock.

Inaccuracy

Worn-out switches may fail to accurately detect feed levels, leading to overfilling or underfeeding. Every farm manager knows that this will have a huge effect on the production since it increases the risk of mold formation in the litter, leads to feed spill, and influences the growth of the livestock significantly.

Downtime

Failure of a mechanical switch can halt the feeding process, leading to downtime in operations. As with inaccuracy, downtime will influence the growth of the livestock and in extreme conditions lead to a large production loss.

Customized Sensor Solutions
Learn how continuous monitoring helps producers identify developing production challenges through changes in water consumption, growth performance and other key production indicators.

Every agricultural and industrial operation has its own unique challenges, workflows, and performance targets. At dol-sensors, we understand that every farm and industry has its own needs and therefor aim at providing unparalleled customer experiences. With a commitment to providing customized sensor solutions, we offer a wide range of sensors that can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of our customers.

Our mission is to deliver reliable, precise, and user-focused sensor technologies that help customers optimize production, improve animal welfare, reduce waste, and streamline daily operations. Whether you are upgrading an existing system or designing a completely new setup, our engineering team works closely with you to ensure the final solution fits seamlessly into your application.

Get A Customized Offer

To get an offer that suits your needs, please contact our Global Sales Manager.

Jan Jensen
Global Sales Manager

Ext.: +45 72 17 58 49
Mobile: +45 52 13 58 49
Email: [email protected]

Not Long From Idea to Finished Product

One of the key advantages of our company is the ability to customize our products. We innovate, design, and produce our sensor solutions at the same facility, which means that there is not long from idea to finished product.

Selected Sensors

Documents

English
Technical User Guide
DOL 26 and iDOL 26 Technical User Guide_EN
English
Leaflet
DOL 26 Capacitive/Proximity Sensor_Onepager
English
Leaflet
Capacitive Brochure
English
Technical User Guide
DOL 26SCR-PNP-NPN Technical User Guide_EN

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