Oil Property Sensor

• What is the sensing principle ?

The FPS2800 from TE Connectivity (TE) relies on a Tuning Fork technology, a piezo-electric resonator that vibrates when a high frequency current is applied. The vibration creates, by reaction, an impedance that the sensor is able to measure. The impedance curve obtained after sweeping the current's frequency depends on oil characteristics and thanks to an equivalent model of the sensing element the sensor is able to retrieve the Dynamic Viscosity, the Density and the Dielectric constant. The sensor also provides temperature measurement acquired via a simple RTD.

• What are the measurements ranges of FPS2800 ?

TE Connectivity's oil property sensor FPS2800 measurement ranges are as following: Dynamic Viscosity: 0.5 .. 50cP (centiPoise) Density: 0.65 .. 1.5 gm/cc (kg/m3) Dielectric Constant: 1 .. 6 Temperature: -40 .. 150°C All oil characteristics shall be within the specified ranges at the same time to ensure a proper measurement.

• What are the available power supply options ?

FPS2800 is compatible with 12V or 24V power supply, hence it will function properly for voltages ranging from 9V to 36V. The associated current will not exceed 100mA.

• What is the communication protocol available on oil property sensor ?

The TE's FPS2800 oil property sensor provides CAN output as per SAE J1939 standard.

• What is the maximum operating pressure of the TE Connectivity Oil Property Sensor ?

The FPS2800 is qualified for pressurized areas up to 25 bar.

• How to best mount my FPS2800 ?

TE Connectivity recommends to install the sensor in a pressurized area on the clean side of the systems (after the filter). Dead ends and oil pans should be avoided and some minimal oil flow is preferred to ensure temperature homogeneity. To avoid creating parasitic noise on the measurement it is recommended to verify that the voltage difference between the electrical ground of the sensor and the stainless steel body is null. For further information, read the installation guide.

• On which application /system can I install the FPS2800 ?

The oil property sensor can be installed on any application/system using oil which characteristics are within the specified ranges. This goes from On and Off Higway vehicles (trucks, construction equipment, agriculture vehicles) as well as Industrial equipment such as compressors, industrial hydraulic machines, generators, etc.

• How can I determine when to change the oil ?

Based on FPS2800 outputs, user must determine algorithm(s) that best suit his system, his application. To get some guidance, please have a look to the TE Connectivity White Paper to learn more.

• Can the FPS2800 sensor provide other outputs ?

The standard version provides the dynamic viscosity, density, dielectric constant and temperature. For evaluation purpose only, TE Connectivity can provide one additionnal input, called Rp, being an image of the oil resistivity.

• Is there any maintenance needed for FPS2800 ?

No. If installation location respects the recommendations from TE Connectivity then no maintenance is required on the FPS2800 oil property sensor.