The transmitter will need to be recalibrated. For a capacitance probe installed in a metal tank, the measured level is proportional to the measured capacitance between the level probe (one capacitor plate) and the tank wall (second capacitor plate). The capacitance measured by the level probe can be expressed as:

C = K x A / D

Where C = capacitance measured by the probe, K = dielectric constant of the fluid in the tank, A = area of the plates (probe and tank wall), and D is the distance between the plates (probe and tank wall). The term A/D represents physical properties of the installation which are not affected by the fluid in the tank. The dielectric constant, K, is fluid-dependent, so measurement of capacitance (per the formula above) will also be dependent upon the fluid. Therefore, if the process fluid (medium) changes, the transmitter will need to be recalibrated to account for the change in dielectric constant.

Answer B is not the correct choice, since the grounding position is not fluid dependent. Grounding of capacitance probes is important, but is a sole function of the installation geometry, probe connection type, and the conductivity of the tank walls.

Answer C is not related to the measurement principle of capacitance. Adaptive control action has no bearing on the ability of a sensor to measure process conditions. It would have an effect only on final control element position.

Answer D is incorrect, since it was explained above that a change in process fluid will have an effect on the measured level due to the differences in dielectric constant. For example, if Fluid A has a dielectric constant of 0.4 and a level of 40% is measured, Fluid B with dielectric constant of 0.8 would register an apparent level of 80% if the probe is not recalibrated, leading to undesirable control actions.

The correct answer is A.