Application
Purpose-designed to digitalize essential on-off valve
monitoring, the ThinkTop V20 is the first pure valve-sensing
device that is maintenance-free and does not require manual
adjustment or programming. It meets standard process
system requirements for sensing and displaying the fluid
handling status. It senses and indicates the valve position and
status in fluid handling processes in hygienic applications
across the dairy, food, beverage, home and personal care,
biotechnology, pharmaceutical and many other industries.

Benefits
• More reliable real-time process control from a sensor
system that does not require readjustment over time
• 70 % faster, more intuitive setup than conventional valve
indication units
• Compact, aesthetic and maintenance-free design based
on the ThinkTop V-series
• Choice of communication protocols – digital, AS-I and IO
Link – to suit process requirements
• 360° LED visual status indication, visible from all directions
Standard design
The ThinkTop V20 is suitable for use on all Alfa Laval hygienic
valves. Installation is efficient and straightforward; no
expertise, adapter or special tools are required. Mount the unit
on top of the valve, then tighten the two screws on the valve
mushrooms. Plug the M12 female plug into the ThinkTop V20
to begin the intuitive live startup sequence. No additional
steps are required. It is compatible with any Alfa Laval
hygienic valve with standard mushroom connections, making
it easy to install new or replace older valve indication units.

Working principles
The ThinkTop V20 is an automated valve indication unit that
does not require the use of any solenoid valve. It transmits the
status and condition of the valve position to any
programmable logic controller (PLC) system using electrical
feedback signals, such as digital, AS-Interface or IO-Link.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the unit provide a 360° visual
indication of the valve status, visible from any direction,
displaying the current main valve position and any local faults.
The sensor system accurately detects valve stem movement
and the valve position at any given moment, using microchip
sensors with an accuracy of ±1mm. Sensor chips on the
sensor board calculate the angle between the axial magnetic
field produced by a sensor target mounted on the valve stem
to signal the current valve position. The ThinkTop V20 is
compatible with all Alfa Laval hygienic valves, eliminating the
need to readjust the sensors and thereby boosting
productivity3