Magnetic Field
Advantages

MAGNETIC FIELD FUEL LEVEL SENDER

Fuel Sender Technology You Can Trust.

Fuel senders are pivotal components in ensuring the smooth operation of an aircraft's fuel system, furnishing vital information to pilots about the fuel levels in the tanks. However, it's surprising that fuel sender technology has seen little change over the past 80 years. Unfortunately, it is widely acknowledged that older aircraft fuel senders (along with their gauges) suffer from issues of unreliability and inaccuracy. This is something we set out to change with our proven magnetic resonance technology.

Here we will compare magnetic field fluid level to the two legacy methods to measure fuel in aircraft:

Two other recent technologies will also be compared to magnetic resonance technology:

How does magnetic field fluid level compare to these four technologies? We've included four charts comparing each one below.

four CiES fuel senders on a marble background

Best thing I have added to my aircraft. Takes all the stress out of ensuring VFR/IFR reserves. Highly recommend it!

- Lynn Pease
Cessna 182G Skylane

Magnetic Field vs. Capacitive

In the aviation industry, there are several types of fuel senders used for this purpose. In this comparison between magnetic and capacitive fuel senders, differences are shown which can impact their performance and reliability in aviation applications. In this chart, the 13 advantages magnetic fuel senders have over capacitive fuel senders for aircraft fuel measurement can be compared. Understanding these advantages can help aircraft owners and operators make informed decisions about which type of fuel sender is best suited for their specific needs.

If you would rather read these advantages in article form, consider reading the 13 Advantages of Magnetic Fuel Senders vs. Capacitive.

Characteristic Magnetic FieldCapacitive
Fuel Quality No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Accuracy is degraded, due to the differing electrical properties of the fuel
Fuel Temperature No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Accuracy is degraded - Requires compensation. Fuel temperature stratification will adversely affect accuracy.
Entrained Air No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Accuracy is Degraded - Requires Compensation. As Fuel with entrained air has a different and changing electrical property
ContaminationMildly Effected - Self cleaning due to generous clearances that do not effect system accuracy Affects Probe - Accuracy is slowly degraded
Fuel Motion No Effect on Sensor. Out of Plane Motion has No Effect. Dense closed cell float utilized dampens fuel motion. No Effect on Sensor
SafetyNo Electronics in the Fuel Tank - No hazard intrinsically safe.Electronics in the Tank - Hazard
DampingFloat size is minimized and density is increased which dampens fuel movement Small Passages Dampens Fuel Movement
Water in Fuel No Change in Output - No Electrical Contact with the fuel tank contents. Sender is Grossly Degraded
CompatibilityMounts in Existing Fuel Quantity LocationsNeeds a Dedicated Position and Mounting
Output Frequency, Voltage, Resistance Frequency, Voltage
AccuracyHighest accuracy available for fuel quantity measurement. Exceeds 0.75% - No measurable error or hysteresis in TSO testing. Accuracy of simple capacitive systems that are TSO’d are 3%. Densitometers, Permittivity measurement and temperature compensation required for better accuracy. Non TSO Capacitive systems are typically less accurate.
Float Error Minimized as float buoyancy does not need to drive a mechanical interface. Smaller and denser floats are utilized in Magnetic Field fuel quantity systems No issue, not applicable
CorrosionNo effect on fuel level outputDegrades Output
Fuel Oscillation No Issue - physical and electronic dampingNo Issue - typically has physical and electronic damping
ComplexitySimpleComplex to meet safety and accuracy requirement

Magnetic Field vs. Resistive

Among the various types available, magnetic fuel senders have emerged as a cutting-edge technology with distinct advantages over their resistive counterparts. In this chart, nine key benefits in fifteen categories can be seen that make magnetic fuel senders a superior choice for fuel quantity measurement. From improved accuracy to enhanced safety features, magnetic fuel senders prove to be a game-changer in modern aviation fuel systems.

If you would rather read these advantages in article form, consider reading the 9 Advantages of Magnetic vs. Resistive Fuel Senders.

Characteristic Magnetic FieldResistive
Fuel Quality No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output, the measurement method is typically immersed in fuel. Similar volume measurement.
Fuel Temperature No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output.
Entrained Air No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output.
ContaminationMildly Effected - Self cleaning due to generous clearances that do not effect system accuracy Affects potentiometer traces - Accuracy is Slowly Degraded
Fuel Motion No Effect on Sensor. Out of Plane Motion has No Effect. Dense closed cell float utilized dampens fuel motion. Considerable effect on potentiometer wiper - dithering and Morse coding due to motion in and out of plane of the float arm swing.
SafetyNo Electronics in the Fuel Tank - No hazard intrinsically safe.Electronics and electrical contacts in the tank - hazard
DampingFloat size is minimized and density is increased which dampens fuel movement Float dampens fuel movement.
Water in Fuel No Change in Output - No Electrical Contact with the fuel tank contents. Sender is grossly degraded, by moisture and water induced corrosion products.
CompatibilityMounts in Existing Fuel Quantity LocationsSame
Output Frequency, Voltage, Resistance Resistance
AccuracyHighest accuracy available for fuel quantity measurement. Exceeds 0.75% - No measurable error or hysteresis in TSO testing. Poor as it is reliant on the resistive follower size and or the resistance wire or resistive grid size.
Float Error Minimized as float buoyancy does not need to drive a mechanical interface. Smaller and denser floats are utilized in Magnetic Field fuel quantity systems Float must move wiper against potentiometer reliably - Larger float needed to overcome corrosion
CorrosionNo effect on fuel level outputHighly affected, degrades measurement, restricts motion and deposits corrosion products in the fuel.
Fuel Oscillation No Issue - physical and electronic dampingDithering of output.
ComplexitySimpleSimple

Magnetic Field vs. Ultrasonic

Among the various types of fuel senders available, magnetic fuel senders stand out for their unparalleled advantages over ultrasonic fuel senders. In this chart, the numerous benefits of magnetic fuel senders and how they outperform their ultrasonic counterparts in can be seen in terms of accuracy, safety, reliability, and overall performance.

Consider reading the 10 Advantages of Magnetic vs. Ultrasonic Fuel Senders in article form.

Characteristic Magnetic FieldUltrasonic
Fuel Quality No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Change in output as subtle changes in fuel composition change output.
Fuel Temperature No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Change in output as fuel density changes.
Entrained Air No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. Change in output as this represents a density change.
ContaminationMildly Effected - Self cleaning due to generous clearances that do not effect system accuracy Change in output due to contamination on target or transmitter.
Fuel Motion No Effect on Sensor. Out of Plane Motion has No Effect. Dense closed cell float utilized dampens fuel motion. Considerable effect on output.
SafetyNo Electronics in the Fuel Tank - No hazard intrinsically safe.No electronics in the fuel tank.
DampingFloat size is minimized and density is increased which dampens fuel movement Electronic damping only.
Water in Fuel No Change in Output - No Electrical Contact with the fuel tank contents. Sender is grossly degraded.
CompatibilityMounts in Existing Fuel Quantity LocationsSame
Output Frequency, Voltage, Resistance Ratiometric Voltage
AccuracyHighest accuracy available for fuel quantity measurement. Exceeds 0.75% - No measurable error or hysteresis in TSO testing. Good accuracy when conditions are ideal, sloshing fuel, fuel temperature stratification and fuel foaming present accuracy issues.
Float Error Minimized as float buoyancy does not need to drive a mechanical interface. Smaller and denser floats are utilized in Magnetic Field fuel quantity systems No Issue
CorrosionNo effect on fuel level outputNo Issue
Fuel Oscillation No Issue - physical and electronic dampingFuel foam, vapor effect output
ComplexitySimpleComplex

Magnetic Field vs. Reed Switch

Characteristic Magnetic FieldReed Switch
Fuel Quality No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit.
Fuel Temperature No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit.
Entrained Air No change in output as only fuel height in the tank or fuel volume is measured in a non-electrical contact manner. The fuel is not a part of the fuel measurement circuit. No change in output – Non-Contact
ContaminationMildly Effected - Self cleaning due to generous clearances that do not effect system accuracy Mildly effected - Self Cleaning
Fuel Motion No Effect on Sensor. Out of Plane Motion has No Effect. Dense closed cell float utilized dampens fuel motion. Dependent on number and quantity of reed switches, can be dramatic
SafetyNo Electronics in the Fuel Tank - No hazard intrinsically safe.No electronics in the fuel tank
DampingFloat size is minimized and density is increased which dampens fuel movement Float dampens fuel movement
Water in Fuel No Change in Output - No Electrical Contact with the fuel tank contents. No Change in Output - No Electrical Contact with the fuel tank contents.
CompatibilityMounts in Existing Fuel Quantity LocationsMounts in Existing Fuel Quantity Locations
Output Frequency, Voltage, Resistance Resistance
AccuracyHighest accuracy available for fuel quantity measurement. Exceeds 0.75% - No measurable error or hysteresis in TSO testing. Poor Accuracy and is limited by number of reed switches on the circuit card
Float Error Minimized as float buoyancy does not need to drive a mechanical interface. Smaller and denser floats are utilized in Magnetic Field fuel quantity systems Float Size determines reed switch quantity
CorrosionNo effect on fuel level outputNo issue
Fuel Oscillation No Issue - physical and electronic dampingDependent on number and quantity of reed switches, can be dramatic
ComplexitySimpleSimple
WE’RE COMMITTED TO HIGH QUALITY, SO THE

Next Generation Can Trust Their Fuel Gauges.

We’re committed to providing an accurate, safe and reliable fuel level reading, as well as providing you with the highest level of service. Once you have installed magnetic field fuel sensing, your fuel level sensing problems will be solved. When you see the difference, you’ll always choose us for your fuel and liquid level sending needs.