What is BS EN 12178-Liquid level indicating devices in refrigerating systems about?
BS EN 12178 is a European standard that discusses refrigerating systems and heat pumps.
BS EN 12178 specifies safety requirements, safety factors, test methods, test pressures, and marking of liquid level indicating devices, referred to throughout this standard as “level indicators”, for use in refrigerating systems and heat pumps.
BS EN 12178 applies to devices connected to refrigerant vessels (e.g. on high-pressure liquid receivers, intercoolers, and low-pressure receivers) and to devices connected to other parts of a refrigerating system (e.g. oil-level sight glasses on a compressor).
BS EN 12178 applies to those types of level indicators that are direct and indirect reading devices (e.g. sight glasses, frosting tubes), and includes electrical and pneumatic indicators.
BS EN 12178 applies to the design of level indicators with respect to pressure containment and describes methods by which the reduced impact values at lower temperatures may be taken into account in a safe manner.
Who is BS EN 12178- Liquid level indicating devices in refrigerating systems for?
BS EN 12178 on refrigerating systems and heat pumps is applicable to:
- Level indicator device manufacturers
- HVAC application manufacturers
- Refrigerant manufacturers
- Industrial refrigeration system manufacturers
- Chemical and petrochemicals industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Food processing industry
Why should you use BS EN 12178- Liquid level indicating devices in refrigerating systems?
Liquid level indicating devices use sensor probes to indicate levels in a storage tank. These probes send information back to the control panel to trigger an alarm or indicator. The control panel can be programmed to automatically turn on the pump to refill the system again. They are an important part of a fluid system as it can detect and monitor position and displacement.
BS EN 12178 describes the procedure to be followed when designing (by calculation or by an experimental design method) level indicator parts subjected to pressure as well as the criteria to be used for the selection of materials. BS EN 12178 also gives guidance on some aspects of application and installation.
Adopting BS EN 12178 requirements can help demonstrate the performance of level indicators for refrigerating and heat pump. You can ensure that your products are leak-proof and can withstand the pressures which may occur during operation, standstill and transportation, and taking into account the thermal, physical and chemical stresses. By selecting the right materials for level indicators, its resistance to refrigerants, solvents and refrigerant oil mixtures can be achieved. Overall, BS EN 12178-compliant level indicators can contribute to performance optimization of the refrigerating systems and heat pumps.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12178:2016 supersedes BS EN 12178:2003 which is withdrawn. BS EN 12178:2016 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 12178:2003. These include:
- Introduction of the safety factors in 7.2.1
- Harmonization of Annex ZA with Directive 2014/68/EU
