Agma W Evo operating 20 degrees from vertical.

The innovative team at Mac3 has developed the Agma W Evo. They have modified the guiding collar of the original Agma W to allow the float arm to self-level by up to 20 degrees from vertical. This groundbreaking improvement empowers us to tackle the challenges of retrofitting components into existing systems with renewed confidence.

We all know that the Agma W has long been a useful and well adopted float switch. It works on a short-throw, constrained linear axis with magnetic switch activation, which makes it great for sump pump systems and narrow tank level control. However, the original Agma W only operated when installed up to 5 degrees from vertical. The new Agma W Evo with its 20 degree allowance is a real bonus for dirty water pump installations.

Aside from installation into a tank, the Agma W compact float switches from Mac3 are frequently used be OEM suppliers mounted directly to a pump. Pumps of course can move, either in the tank or during maintenance cycles. Having the ability to correct an offset means that if the pump wasn’t set vertically (for example, if there was an obstruction or detritus stuck under the pump itself), with the Agma W Evo deployed it wouldn’t cause an issue going forward, reducing the likelihood of future issues.

As with the other members of the Agma family, the Agma W Evo cannot be used if there are ferrous or otherwise magnetically susceptible deposits in the water, as this can cause issues with the magnets inside the float switch (but then my loyal readers would already know this).

Height differential for the Agma W EVO Float Switch

The Agma W Evo will function mechanically the same as the original Agma W and can be used as a direct replacement for the original units if necessary. However, the maximum working differential has been reduced from 150mm to 110mm. This change makes the Agma W Evo easier to work with in smaller tanks or shorter pumps. Nevertheless, when replacing a pre-installed Agma W, it’s important to account for this 40mm reduction.

So, once again, the ingenious Mac3 development team has improved a fantastic product, creating a solution that not only functions effectively but also instils confidence when tackling both new installations and maintenance tasks. This is particularly valuable when dealing with original installations that are not conducive to retrofitting or repair (nothing is ever straight. Ever).

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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e-fly dirty water float switch

e-Fly Float Switch– dirty water can’t touch this!

The e-fly always remains in the correct position because of the integrated counterweight. An external counterweight (and the ragging point that it creates) is not necessary.

Like its big brother, the Mac5, the e-fly dirty water float switch is available with PVC, H07RN-F and H07BN4-F in 5, 10 and 20m lengths. The e-Fly is also available (as a special order) with ATEX certification (in the same cable types and lengths).

How to configure the e-fly Float Switch

There are two main ways the e-Fly is used:

• Slaved to a single pump for emptying a tank. You can either wire the float switch into the pump with a suitable t-joint or outside of the tank itself using a simple junction box.
• 

  e-fly dirty water float switch installation options

  Or, as part of a level control setup. As this diagram shows, the e-Fly is suspended from the top of the tank (or attached to an internal pipeline /fixture. The pipework must be sturdy enough to support the extra weight). The level is adjusted on each float by shortening the cable or lifting the attachment point onto an internal fixture.

This array can then be connected to a controller creating a versatile level control system for sewage or turbulent water.

Overall the e-Fly can be deployed in a very similar way to the Mac5 – but where it truly excels in areas where the sheer size and mass of the Mac5 are not required. For a domestic sewage treatment plant the e-Fly is perfectly at home.

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 – Agma

If you require a reliable solution for a shallow tank, such as an F-Line or similar, or installing in a restricted space inside a regular tank, then, the Agma by Mac3 float switch is an excellent option to consider.

The Agma series (22 and W) are magnetically operated vertical float switches. Simply put, a magnet (attached to the float) moves vertically on a rail. The magnet closes the sealed microswitch inside the top or head of the unit.

Of course, there is one limitation to using magnets. The Agma cannot be used in fluids that contain solids that are themselves magnetic (iron sand, nickel etc.) as these will interfere with the movement of the float arm.

The Agma Compact Float Switches are available in two different configurations:

Agma 22 – designed for clean water applications only.

Agma W – is primarily designed for dirty water applications and can be used in clear water too.

GXRM 9GF fitted with an Agma 22 Compact Float Switch

Both the Agma 22 and W are available with either a 10m cable or 25cm cable ends (for mounting directly to a pump or controller). Installing the Agma into a system removes the requirements of selecting the correct cable type and length for the installation – which, if incorrect, can cause issues with tangling or hanging of the float switch.

In terms of usage, the Agma is ideally suited for use with a dewatering pump – as seen in this OEM mounted example (right) though with the correct connections (and a little improvisation) a similar setup could be fabricated for almost any pump.

Overall, the Agma is an interesting idea and certainly something that will have some people scratching their heads (at least until they get their hands on it).

One to keep in mind when working with small or crowded tanks, or when installing a sump pump system.

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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Mac5 Wastewater Float Switch

Typically, when thinking of a float switch, we think of a small unit – the Mac5 is anything but! At over 20cm long, the float alone weighs more than 1kg. This float switch is for one job and one job only: specifically, to maintain stability in turbulent water or wastewater like thick sewage/slurry. I wouldn’t suggest using the Mac5 in any other situation – it just isn’t the right tool. However, when used in these situations – the Mac5 is the king of floats.

Every aspect of the Mac5 shows the attention paid during the design process: the clean surfaces, bulbous shape, integrated counterweight and, of course, cable options. The Mac5 is available in 5, 10, and 20m lengths with a cable material to suit all applications: PVC, H07RN-F and H07BN4.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Mac 5 is available as an ATEX (Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles – or equipment for use in explosive atmospheres for those of us who couldn’t get their heads around French). The ATEX units are available in the same cable types and lengths as the standard versions.

Mac5 wastewater float switch installation example

The Mac5 can be used in much the same way as a conventional float switch. As demonstrated in this example, the Mac5 float switches are positioned (from left to right):

• Low level (dry run protection)
• Level 1 (pump on)
• Level 2 (pump off)
• High-level (Alarm / both pumps run)

With the low level being the dry-run protection for the installation and the high level being the alarm, or as in this case, the high level activating both pumps at the same time. This diagram would also apply to a setup using load sharing between the pumps or variable speed control via an inverter, like the Mac3 HydroController series.

You can also use the Mac5 to control a single pump in a simple on/off setup (for emptying or filling). To do so, create a pivot point on the cable (by using a suitable cable joint, fixing the cable to a point, or using a secondary counterweight). The pump will then behave as though it were using a ‘normal’ float switch.

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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