Ultrasonic sensors measure liquid level by emitting sound waves and timing their return. While effective in large tanks, they face challenges in compact coffee machines: sound reflections from internal walls can cause false readings, and their cost is significantly higher.
Capacitive sensors like the XKC-Y29A measure dielectric constant changes directly through the tank wall. They are smaller, cheaper, and unaffected by acoustic interference. Their low power consumption makes them ideal for energy-efficient appliances.
For coffee machine OEMs, capacitive sensors offer the best balance of accuracy, size, cost, and reliability.
