Carlo Gavazzi VNY4 Conductive Level Probe

Conductive multi-point level electrode (conductivity level sensor), used for multi-point level detection of conductive liquids. Usually paired with Carlo Gavazzi level relays (such as VN-series controllers).

✅ Model Definition

VNY: Y-type conductive level probe with standard nylon housing and screw terminal wiring (no pre-wired cable).

4: 4 electrode rods, enabling level detection at 4 points de mesure.

Related models: VNY1 / VNY2 / VNY3 / VNY4; VN = cable outlet type; VNI = isolated electrode version.

📌 Key Specifications

1. Electrodes: 4 AISI316 stainless steel probes, 5 mm diameter, standard length 1 m (can be cut on-site as required).
2. Logement: Red nylon, threaded mounting. Thread specification: 1½” ISO228-1 pipe thread.
3. Câblage: Bornes à vis, Indice de protection IP67.
4. Principe de mesure: Conductivity type. Only suitable for conductive liquids (eau, eaux usées, coolant, etc.); NOT for pure deionized water or oils.
5. Medium temperature range: 0~90℃.
6. Application: Haut / niveau bas, multi-stage level alarm, water tank / sump level control.

🛠 Typical Applications

Approvisionnement en eau & drainage, sewage lift pits, tours de refroidissement, boiler water make-up, water treatment equipment

CVC, conductive liquid level monitoring in food & industrie des boissons, industrial tank level switches

📋 Selection Guidelines

The VNY4 is only an electrode probe. It cannot operate standalone. It must be connected to an external conductivity level controller (par exemple. Carlo Gavazzi VN-series level relays).

Electrode length: Standard 1 m. Can be cut on-site; take care with insulating sleeves.

Medium restrictions: Oils, pure water and non-conductive liquids cannot be measured. Use special material versions for highly corrosive media.

Installation: Top-mounted vertical installation. Electrodes must not touch each other and should be kept away from tank walls.

🔁 Cross-reference & Alternatives

VN4: Same 4-electrode design with PVC cable outlet instead of screw terminals.

VNYI4: 4-electrode isolated electrode version, preferred for scaling or interference-prone conditions.

Alternative nationale: Local conductive level rod (4-pôle, 316L, 1.5″ fil, IP67).

⚠️ Common Troubleshooting

1. False switching: Electrode scaling → grind and clean; low liquid conductivity makes conductivity technology unsuitable.
2. Aucun signal: Câblage lâche, short circuit from electrodes touching tank wall, controller power supply fault.
3. Corrosion: High chloride content in medium → upgrade to titanium electrode version.

Carlo Gavazzi VNY4 (4‑pole Conductivity Level Electrode) Cas de candidature

VNY4 advantage: 4 points de mesure, which can simultaneously implement: low-low level (protection contre la marche à sec de la pompe), niveau bas (pump start), high level (pump stop), high-high level (overflow alarm). No mechanical sticking issues as seen with float switches. Used with Carlo Gavazzi CLD4MA / CLP4MA level relays.

Cas 1: HVAC Cooling Tower Make-up Water Tank (Bâtiment / Factory HVAC)

Working condition: Cooling tower make-up tank, eau en circulation industrielle, temperature 0~60℃. Liquid contains ions and is conductive.

4-point assignment

1. LL Low-low level: Interlock to shut off make-up pump to prevent dry-running.
2. L Low level: Activate make-up solenoid valve / make-up pump.
3. H High level: Stop water make-up.
4. HH High-high level: Acoustic & visual overflow alarm.

Selection reason: VNY4 nylon housing resists water vapour, IP67, tank-top 1½” threaded mounting. Not affected by flow turbulence unlike float switches.

Note: For heavily scaling water, prefer VNYI4 isolated electrode version to reduce false triggering.

Cas 2: Sewage Lift Pit / Puisard souterrain (Approvisionnement en eau & Traitement des eaux usées)

Working condition: Domestic sewage, impurity-laden conductive wastewater, automatic drainage control for sewage pump rooms.

4-point assignment

1. L.L.: Extremely low level, block drain pump start (protection contre la marche à sec).
2. L: Niveau d'eau bas, start pump 1.
3. H: Niveau d'eau élevé, stop pump 1; further level rise triggers standby pump 2.
4. HH: Ultra-high level, overflow alarm, signal à l'automate / building automation system.

Caractéristiques: Sewage carries solids which often jam float switches. Conductive electrodes have no moving parts and longer maintenance intervals.

Risk note: Regular electrode grinding and cleaning required for scaling sewage. Upgrade to titanium electrodes for high-chloride wastewater.

Cas 3: Nourriture & Beverage Process Tanks (CIP Cleaning Water, Conductive Dosing Liquids)

Working condition: CIP cleaning tanks in beverage plants, ion-containing water tanks, fermenter cleaning fluids. Conductive medium, max temperature 90℃.

4-point logic: Low-low protection, low level feed start, high level feed stop, high-high overflow alarm, interlock inlet valve.

Limitation: Pure deionized water cannot be used. For viscous syrup media, VNYI4 isolated electrode is recommended to avoid false level readings from liquid clinging.

Cas 4: Boiler Softened Water / Raw Water Pre-treatment Tanks (Industrie du traitement de l'eau)

Working condition: Raw water tanks and softening tanks in water plants and boiler rooms, eau du robinet / groundwater.

Logique de contrôle: 4-stage level for automatic water make-up plus two-stage safety alarm, interlocked with PLC for pump house monitoring.

Avantage: AISI316 electrodes resist chloride corrosion from tap water. Probes can be cut on-site to match tank depth.

Cas 5: Small Chemical Storage Tanks (Dilute Conductive Acid / Alkali Solutions)

Working condition: Dilute acid, alkali conductive waste liquid tanks, process safety interlock.

4 points de mesure: Low-low level (feed pump protection), low level start feed, high level stop feed, high-high level overflow emergency inlet valve shutoff.

Note: Material assessment required for strongly corrosive media. Standard VNY4 is only suitable for weakly corrosive dilute solutions; special electrodes for heavy corrosion.

Cas 6: Vehicle Wash Circulation Water Tank (Automotive Washing Machine OEM)

Working condition: Recirculating clean water tank for car wash equipment, conductive aqueous detergent solution, high vibration environment.

4 points: Protection contre la marche à sec, make-up start, make-up stop, overflow alarm, integrated into the wash machine control cabinet.

For heavy vibration applications, VN4 cable outlet version can replace VNY screw terminal model to prevent loose terminals.

Sélection générale & Notes d'application

1. Medium must be conductive. Oils, ultra-pure water and organic solvents cannot use VNY4. Capacitance level probes are required instead.
2. VNY4 is only a probe. Must be paired with 4-point level controllers such as CLD4MA / CLP4MA and cannot be wired directly to PLC.
3. Metal tanks can use the tank body as common electrode. For non-metallic tanks, le 4 electrodes include the common electrode.
4. Installation: Vertical tank-top mounting. Electrodes must be kept away from tank walls and must not short-circuit against each other.

Failure Prediction (Common On-site Issues)

Mise à l'échelle: Sludge / limescale on electrode surface causes unstable level signals → regular grinding and cleaning. Use VNYI4 isolated electrode for scaling-prone media.

Low liquid conductivity: Unstable signals. Conductivity technology is not suitable; switch to ultrasonic or capacitance level meter.

Carlo Gavazzi V-series Conductive Level Probes Full Model List

Main core series: VN / VNY / VNI / VNYI (1½” pipe thread, AISI316 electrodes, standard rod length 1000 mm); auxiliary compact series: VPC, VPP, Vermont / VTI

1. VNY Series (Screw terminal wiring, standard non-isolated electrodes, VNY4 parent series)

VNY1: 1 electrode

VNY2: 2 électrodes

VNY3: 3 électrodes

VNY4: 4 electrodes ✅

2. VNYI Series (Bornes à vis, isolated electrode version, preferred for scaling / material clinging conditions)

VNYI1: 1 electrode

VNYI2: 2 électrodes

VNYI3: 3 électrodes

VNYI4: 4 électrodes

3. VN Series (PVC cable outlet, 2 m standard cable, standard non-isolated electrodes)

VN1: 1 electrode

VN2: 2 électrodes

VN3: 3 électrodes

VN4: 4 électrodes

4. VNI Series (PVC cable outlet, 2 m standard cable, isolated electrodes)

VNI1: 1 electrode

VNI2: 2 électrodes

VNI3: 3 électrodes

VNI4: 4 électrodes

VN / VNI cables can be extended. Exemple: VNI1-10M = 10-metre cable version.

5. VPC Compact PVC Housing Series (Small threads, short electrodes, for small equipment)

VPC105: 1 electrode, ½” fil, 500 mm electrode length

VPC205: 2 électrodes, ½” fil, 500 mm electrode length

VPC110: 1 electrode, 1″ fil, 1000 mm electrode length

VPC210: 2 électrodes, 1″ fil, 1000 mm electrode length

VPC310: 3 électrodes, 1″ fil, 1000 mm electrode length

6. VPP PVDF Insulation Corrosion-resistant Series (Small threads)

VPP105: 1 electrode, ½” fil

VPP205: 2 électrodes, ½” fil

VPP110: 1 electrode, 1″ fil

VPP210: 2 électrodes, 1″ fil

VPP310: 3 électrodes, 1″ fil

7. Vermont / VTI Teflon Insulated Series (Strongly corrosive applications)

VT1 / VTI1: 1 electrode

VT2 / VTI2: 2 électrodes

VT3 / VTI3: 3 électrodes

VT4 / VTI4: 4 électrodes

VT = standard; VTI = isolated electrode; 1 m silicone cable outlet.

Series Comparison Table

Matching Controllers (Obligatoire; probe cannot work alone)

CLD4MA, CLP4MA (4-point level relays, compatible with VNY4 / VNYI4 / VN4 / VNI4); CLD2MA for 2-electrode probes; CLD3MA for 3-electrode probes.

Naming Rule Summary

1. VNY = V+NY (NY = Nylon + Borne à vis, nylon housing with screw terminals)
2. VN = V+N (nylon housing, sortie de câble)
3. Suffix I = Isolated electrode (prevents false triggering from liquid film clinging)
4. Final digit = number of electrodes (1/2/3/4)