Advanced Flood Alarm – RKIT Level Alarm

At this time of year, we often hear of and see footage of rivers bursting their banks – and the damage this causes to homes and businesses around the country. Now, while prevention is always better than a cure, we can try to lessen the impact of these events with warning systems. To this end, we have created the RKIT – a family of Level Alarms that give the homeowner (or work site) advanced warning of rising water levels. When sited and installed correctly, they potentially give enough time to get vulnerable persons and items out of harm’s way or to move vehicles and prepare for the incoming water.

The most suitable kits for permanent advanced flood warning installations are the RKIT 1 and 2. These are mains (230vAC) powered devices with a 10m (RKIT 1) or 40cm (RKIT 2) cable attached to the capacitive level sensor. The cable can be lengthened via request or with a suitable IP68 cable joint to better fit site requirements.

If the Reka level capacitive level sensor is mounted at the lowest point of the property at risk of flooding (on a post or wall facing the water source) as the level rises, the legs of the Reka become submerged – triggering the alarm. By default, the RKIT comes with an 80dB sounder and beacon – which is generally loud enough for a domestic dwelling (and to annoy everyone around me in the office when I am testing the kits!).

As the Reka sensor requires immersion to activate and has no moving parts, there is little risk of a false alarm caused by splashing or rainfall.

Deployment of an RKIT unit can also form part of a flood action plan – not only to start breaking out the sandbags – but also to prepare other measures – such as the use of sumps to draw water away from important areas, moving critical or precious items to higher levels in a building and of course, isolating electrical circuits that are at risk.

While we cannot stop the waters (Canute tried that one, and we all know how that turned out) – we can at least prepare for them. As they say – Forewarned is forearmed.

Level Alarm – other uses

Aside from flood protection, the RKIT can be deployed in other situations that require a high-level / overflow alarm – protection for plant rooms, lift shafts, and even for when filling the coolant bath for machine shops (nothing is as slippery as ‘suds’ in a workshop ((some bruises don’t go away)). The RKIT is a remarkably versatile piece of kit. It is also available in 110v (RKIT 3 and 4) and 24vDC (RKIT 5 and 6) for worksite and marine / off-grid use.

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

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Compact Float Switch – Reka

The Reka can replace a traditional float switch in most clear water situations, with the benefit of not needing any extra space outside of its own footprint. I find this unit works particularly well when using either a small tank or a tank with filters and pipework in the tank itself. Using a Reka in these tanks means that I don’t need to worry about a conventional float switch getting caught up (I think we have all seen what happens next!).

Pump control is only the start for these Reka units. Rather than simply turning a pump on or off, we can use a Reka to control virtually anything that requires the presence or absence of water.

Early Flood Warning Alert

At this time of year when flooding begins to make headlines, it is worth considering Reka units and the potential role they can play in both flood alerts, and even flood defence. Combined with an Alarm box the Reka is a powerful and useful tool in flood zones.

The Reka can be installed at a low point, between a property and a potential ingress point for flood water. Once the water level has risen sufficiently to activate the Reka, the alarm will sound – potentially giving the occupant enough time to move valuables to higher ground, or even leave the property entirely. This would be a very simple version, but there is nothing to stop you from using the Reka, combined with a suitable high-flow pump, to actively protect important areas. Contact us for compatible Alarm and Pump Control Units.

Compact Float Switch for Off-grid Water Level Control or Alarm

At the other end of the spectrum, the 12/24V Reka Compact Float Switch can be used in vehicle or trailer-mounted installations. Two examples are:

1. A submerged Reka unit is mounted at the lowest level of the tank, this can then be connected to an alert (light or alarm) in the cab. Once the level has dropped past the Reka, the alarm is triggered. Particularly useful in watering or dust suppression roles – preventing the operator from continuing operations without sufficient water being available.
2. A Reka unit is mounted to the fill level of a tank or bowser – when the tank has been filled to this point an alarm can be triggered, or (depending on the site setup) the feeding valve can be closed. Saving the operator from having to stand on a ladder – or hang around the tank during filling.

Reka Compact Float Switch Alternative for different liquids.

Fluid Level Sensor

In fact, the Reka can be deployed with other liquids such as: Liquid Soap, Milk, Fruit Juices and Wines. Though it is worth remembering that the conductivity of these liquids differs, which is reflected in the size of the effective working sensing areas on the Reka unit. This can be easily accommodated for at the design stage.

The only area that this unit isn’t suitable for is sludge – or water with large amounts of suspended solids; this would require a dedicated float switch (e-Fly or Mac 5).

For more information

Contact Jim, our Mac3 Technical lead. Jim and Tom have over 25 years of experience in Water Control Systems.

The post Compact Float Switch no moving parts – Reka appeared first on Mac 3 UK.