Horizontal mounting for applications where vertical tank access isn't available. Side-mounted switches install through the tank wall and detect a single liquid level at the mounting point. Ideal for horizontal tanks, drums, totes, and enclosures with limited headroom.
Four models are Polypropylene only. The 10-788 is available in PP, AC, and KR for broader chemical compatibility.
All side-mounted models use the 10-782 magnetic reed switch as the sensing element. Common ratings apply across all configurations.
| Model | Mounting | Connection Type | Relay Housing | Materials | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-785 | Side Mount | Lead Wire | — | PP | Compact, basic side-mount switch |
| 10-787 | Side Mount | Extended Lead Wire | — | PP | Longer lead for remote junction box |
| 10-786 | Side Mount | Connector Terminal | — | PP | Quick-disconnect wiring terminal |
| 10-786-R | Side Mount | Connector Terminal | ✓ | PP | Relay housing for direct load switching |
| 10-788 | Side Mount | Set (multiple options) | ✓ | PP, AC, KR | Full set · 3 materials · broadest compatibility |
All models: SPST magnetic reed switch (KOFU ORD229) · 70VA/50W · 100 PSI max @ 20°C · 90°C max · 0.8 SG min · Horizontal mount through tank wall · RoHS Compliant
Side-mounted switches solve problems where vertical access to the tank is blocked, the tank is horizontal, or you need point-level detection at a specific wall height.
A generator packager uses horizontal cylindrical day tanks where there's no vertical access through the top — the tank sits inside a steel skid frame with no room for a top-mounted switch. A side-mounted 10-788-AC installs through the tank end wall at the low-level alarm height. Acetal construction resists diesel fuel. The relay housing accepts an optional solid state relay to drive an alarm panel directly without a separate relay enclosure.
A chemical metering system OEM needs to detect when a bulk chemical tote is nearly empty so the metering pump shuts off before running dry. The tote has a flat side wall — a 10-788-KR mounts through a drilled hole near the bottom. PVDF Kynar handles the aggressive chemistry (sodium hypochlorite for water treatment). The pump-dry condition is the failure mode the customer is designing against — running a metering pump dry destroys the diaphragm.
An air handler manufacturer needs overflow detection in their condensate drain pan. The pan has only 2–3 inches of vertical clearance below the evaporator coil — no room for a vertical float switch. A compact 10-785-PP mounts through the side wall of the pan and detects when water reaches the alarm level. The switch signals the building management system to shut down the blower and trigger a maintenance alert. Polypropylene handles condensate water chemistry.
A machine tool builder needs coolant level detection in their CNC mill's coolant sump. The sump sits under the machine bed with no vertical access — a side-mount switch installs through the sump wall. The 10-786-R with relay housing lets the customer mount a solid state relay that directly controls the coolant pump, shutting it off before the sump runs dry. The connector terminal allows quick disconnect during machine service without cutting wires.
A commercial dishwasher OEM needs to detect when the rinse aid supply tank is low so the machine displays a refill alert. The tank is a small polypropylene reservoir mounted inside the machine cabinet with only side access. A 10-787-PP with extended lead wire runs the signal back to the control board mounted elsewhere in the cabinet. No relay housing needed — the control board handles the logic. The extended lead eliminates a splice inside the machine.
A water treatment system integrator needs a high-level alarm on an acid neutralization tank to prevent overflow. The tank already has vertical-mount level switches controlling the fill and drain pumps — the side-mounted 10-788-KR provides an independent backup alarm at the high-water mark. Mounting through the side wall at the alarm height gives a physically independent detection point. PVDF Kynar construction handles the low-pH effluent entering the neutralization system.
Download detailed technical literature for the Series 10 product family. All side-mounted switches use the 10-782 as their primary switching element.
How the core switching element works — magnetic actuation, reversible float action, material compatibility, and 15 OEM application examples by material.
Download PDF →Complete overview of the Series 10 architecture — modular design, chemical compatibility, OEM integration advantages, and why design engineers choose ERECTA SWITCH.
Download PDF →Installation methods, sealing best practices, wiring schemes for solenoid valves and pump controls, differential level control, and multi-level switch configurations.
Download PDF →Tell us your tank orientation, liquid chemistry, and detection height — we'll recommend the right configuration for your application.