Food Floats | McMaster-Carr

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	Float Material Float Material

Plastic

Stainless Steel

	Diameter Diameter

	For Use With For Use With	Show

Food

	For Use With For Use With	Hide

Warning: Products have one, but not necessarily all, of the selected characteristics.

	Shape Shape

	Ball

	Material Material

Plastic

	Valve Body Material Valve Body Material

Brass

Plastic

Stainless Steel

	Maximum Temperature Maximum Temperature

	Pipe Size Pipe Size

1/8

1/4

1/2

	Environment Environment

Food and Beverage

Sanitary

	Stem Material Stem Material

Plastic

Stainless Steel

	Inlet Pipe Size Inlet Pipe Size

	Mounting Orientation Mounting Orientation

Vertical

Horizontal

	Float Diameter Float Diameter

	Performance Properties Performance Properties

	Float Rod Length Float Rod Length

10"

	Input Voltage Input Voltage

120V AC

240V AC

	Minimum Temperature Minimum Temperature

25° to 39° F

Not Rated

	RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

RoHS Compliant

RoHS Compliant with
Exemptions

	Float Rod Material Float Rod Material

Stainless Steel

	DFARS (Defense Acquisition Regulations Supplement) DFARS (Defense Acquisition Regulations Supplement)

DFARS Specialty Metals
COTS-Exempt

	Specifications Met Specifications Met

CSA

NSF/ANSI

FDA Compliant

	REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals)

REACH Compliant

	Switch Starting Position Switch Starting Position

1 Off (Normally Open)

1 On (Normally Closed)

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39 Products

About Plastic

About Float Switches

Mount these switches into a threaded connection at the top or bottom of your tank. Often used in food-processing applications, they meet NSF/ANSI Standard 169.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Float Switches															Replacement Floats
	Pipe Size	Thread Type	Gender	Min. Specific Gravity	Max. Pressure	Temp. Range, °F	Insertion Dp.	Switch Starting Position	Industry Designation	Current	Float Ht.	O'all Dia.		Each		Each
120V AC/240V AC Input Voltage—Wire Leads
Polypropylene Plastic Float
A	1/8	NPT	Male	0.9	100 psi @ 70° F	35° to 220°	1 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	1"	1"	00000000	000000	00000000	000000
A	1/4	NPT	Male	0.87	100 psi @ 70° F	35° to 220°	2 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.5 A @ 120 V AC	2"	1 1/2"	00000000	00000	00000000	00000
PVDF Plastic Float
A	1/8	NPT	Male	0.85	15 psi @ 70° F	35° to 220°	1 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	1"	1"	00000000	00000	00000000	00000
316 Stainless Steel Float
B	1/8	NPT	Male	0.8	300 psi @ 70° F	35° to 390°	1 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	1 3/16"	1 1/8"	0000000	00000	0000000	00000
B	1/4	NPT	Male	0.65	200 psi @ 70° F	35° to 390°	2 15/16"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.5 A @ 120 V AC	2 1/8"	2 1/8"	0000000	00000	0000000	00000
B	1/4	NPT	Male	0.65	200 psi @ 70° F	35° to 480°	2 15/16"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.5 A @ 120 V AC	2 1/8"	2 1/8"	0000000	00000	0000000	00000
C	1/4	NPT	Male	0.8	500 psi @ 70° F	35° to 390°	2 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	1 A @ 120 V AC	2 1/16"	2 1/16"	0000000	00000	0000000	00000
C	1/4	NPT	Male	0.8	750 psi @ 70° F	35° to 300°	2 7/8"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.83 A @ 120 V AC	2 1/16"	2 1/16"	0000000	00000	0000000	00000

Replacement Clip for 1/4 Pipe Size Floats	0000000	Each	00000
Replacement Clip for 1/8 Pipe Size Polypropylene Plastic Floats	00000000	Each	0000
Replacement Clip for 1/8 Pipe Size 316 Stainless Steel Floats	0000000	Each	0000
Replacement Clip for PVDF Plastic Floats	00000000	Each	0000

Through-Wall Horizontal-Mount Float Switches for Food and Beverage

Mount this switch through an unthreaded hole in your tank wall and secure with a nut from inside the tank. Often used in food-processing applications, they meet NSF/ANSI Standard 169.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Float Switches													Replacement Floats
For Hole Dia.	Min. Specific Gravity	Max. Pressure	Temp. Range, °F	Insertion Dp.	Switch Starting Position	Industry Designation	Current	Float Material	Electrical Connection	Includes		Each		Each
120V AC/240V AC Input Voltage
316 Stainless Steel Body
3/8"	0.8	300 psi @ 70° F	35° to 390°	2 3/16"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	316 Stainless Steel	Wire Leads	Mounting Nut	00000000	000000	0000000	000000

Replacement Clip

0000000

Each

00000

Horizontal-Mount Float Switches for Food and Beverage

Install these switches into a threaded connection in your tank wall from outside the tank. Often used in food-processing applications, they meet NSF/ANSI Standard 169.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Pipe												Conduit
Size	Thread Type	Gender	Min. Specific Gravity	Max. Pressure	Temp. Range, °F	Insertion Dp.	Switch Starting Position	Industry Designation	Current	Float Material	Electrical Connection	Trade Size	Thread Type	Gender		Each
120V AC/240V AC Input Voltage
Polypropylene Plastic Body
1/2	NPT	Male	0.7	100 psi @ 70° F	35° to 220°	2 3/4"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	Polypropylene Plastic	Wire Leads	__	__	__	00000000	000000
1/2	NPT	Male	0.7	100 psi @ 70° F	35° to 220°	2 3/4"	1 Off (Normally Open)/1 On (Normally Closed)	SPST-NO SPST-NC	0.28 A @ 120 V AC	Polypropylene Plastic	Wire Leads	1/2	NPT	Male	00000000	00000

Compact Float Valves for Food and Beverage

With 316 Stainless Steel Float

With Polypropylene Float

Smaller than other float valves, these are sized for containers with limited space. They meet NSF/ANSI Standard 169 for food-equipment components and have excellent corrosion resistance. The discharge outlet is unthreaded and releases contents into your tank.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Inlet			Discharge Slot				Float				Float Rod
Pipe Size	Thread Type	Gender	Wd.	Lg.	Flow Rate	Max. Pressure, psi	Dia.	Lg.	Wd.	Ht.	Lg.	Thread Size	Thread Type	For Container Type	Specifications Met	Float Material	Seal Material	Temp. Range, °F		Each
316 Stainless Steel Straight Valve Body
1/4	NPT	Male	5/32"	9/16"	1.6 gpm @ 50 psi	125	3"	__	__	__	6"	8-32	UNC	Open Tank	NSF/ANSI 169	316 Stainless Steel	Fluoroelastomer Rubber	35° to 175°	0000000	000000
1/4	NPT	Male	9/32"	3/4"	1.6 gpm @ 50 psi	125	__	3 3/4"	2 11/16"	1 1/4"	6"	8-32	UNC	Open Tank	NSF/ANSI 169	Polypropylene Plastic	Fluoroelastomer Rubber	35° to 175°	0000000	00000

Compact Float Valves with Plastic Reservoir for Food and Beverage

With Top Inlet

With Side Inlet

Commonly used in ice-making machines, these valves have floats that rest inside a clear plastic reservoir. They meet NSF/ANSI 169 standards for food equipment components. Polypropylene plastic floats are FDA compliant for direct food contact. The discharge outlet is unthreaded and releases contents into your tank. The drain holes are located on the bottom for connecting to soft tubing (not included).

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Inlet				Discharge Slot						Reservoir
Location	Tube Connection Type	For Tube OD	No. of Drain Holes	Wd.	Lg.	For Tube ID	Flow Rate	Max. Pressure, psi	Float Rod Lg.	Lg.	Wd.	Ht.	Specifications Met	Features	Float Material	Seal Material	Temp. Range, °F		Each
Elbow Valve Body
Top	Compression	1/4"	2	5/16"	5/16"	1/2"	0.3 gpm @ 55 psi	125	4"	5"	2 1/2"	4 1/2"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520, NSF/ANSI 169	Removable Reservoir Cover	Polypropylene Plastic	Buna-N Rubber	35° to 175°	0000000	000000
Straight Valve Body
Side	Compression	1/4"	2	13/32"	1/4"	1/2"	0.3 gpm @ 55 psi	125	3"	5"	2 1/2"	4 1/2"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520, NSF/ANSI 169	Removable Reservoir Cover	Polypropylene Plastic	Buna-N Rubber	35° to 175°	0000000	00000

Float Valves for Food and Beverage

Made of stainless steel, these valves can withstand the corrosive solutions and high temperatures found in harsh cleaning procedures required for food-processing applications.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Inlet			Outlet						Float Rod
Pipe Size	Thread Type	Gender	Pipe Size	Thread Type	Gender	Flow Rate	Max. Pressure, psi	Float Dia.	Lg.	Thread Size	Thread Type	For Container Type	Float Material	Temp. Range, °F		Each
Fluoroelastomer Rubber Seal
316 Stainless Steel Elbow Valve Body
3/8	NPT	Female	3/8	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 450°	0000000	0000000
1/2	NPT	Female	1/2	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 450°	0000000	000000
3/4	NPT	Female	3/4	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 450°	0000000	000000
1	NPT	Female	3/4	NPT	Female	57.5 gpm @ 50 psi	85	8"	10"	3/8"-16	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 450°	0000000	00000000
PTFE Plastic Seal
316 Stainless Steel Elbow Valve Body
3/8	NPT	Female	3/8	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 550°	0000000	00000000
1/2	NPT	Female	1/2	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 550°	0000000	00000000
3/4	NPT	Female	3/4	NPT	Female	48 gpm @ 50 psi	85	5"	10"	1/4"-20	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 550°	0000000	00000000
1	NPT	Female	3/4	NPT	Female	57.5 gpm @ 50 psi	85	8"	10"	3/8"-16	UNC	Open Tank	316 Stainless Steel	35° to 550°	0000000	00000000

Polypropylene Balls

Color: Semi-Clear White
Max. Temperature:
Solid Balls: 180° F
Hollow Balls: 220° F
Tensile Strength: 2,900-5,070 psi (Poor)
Impact Strength: 0.9 ft.-lbs./in. (Poor)
Hardness: Rockwell R99 (Hard)
For Use Outdoors: No
Specifications Met: See table

Resistant to swelling when exposed to water, these balls are often used in laboratory applications.

Hollow balls float. Use them in tanks to slow evaporation and reduce heat loss.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Hollow
Dia.	Dia. Tolerance	Specifications Met	Pkg. Qty.		Pkg.
0.787"	-0.010" to 0.010"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	150	0000000	000000
1"	-0.015" to 0.015"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	25	0000000	0000
1.4"	-0.015" to 0.015"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	25	0000000	0000
1.496"	-0.010" to 0.010"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	50	0000000	00000
1.969"	-0.020" to 0.020"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	40	0000000	00000
3.15"	-0.030" to 0.030"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	10	0000000	00000
3.937"	-0.050" to 0.050"	FDA Compliant 21 CFR 177.1520	1	0000000	0000

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About Plastic

About Float Switches

Vertical-Mount Float Switches for Food and Beverage

Through-Wall Horizontal-Mount Float Switches for Food and Beverage

Horizontal-Mount Float Switches for Food and Beverage

Compact Float Valves for Food and Beverage

Compact Float Valves with Plastic Reservoir for Food and Beverage

Float Valves for Food and Beverage

Polypropylene Balls