7. 1. 2026
The most common mistakes in magnetic separation and how to avoid them
Metal contaminants get into materials more often than many operations admit. Magnetic separators protect technology and product quality—but only if they are properly designed and maintained.
In practice, correctly set parameters are crucial – especially the location of the device, material flow, specific properties, and maintenance regime.
Here are the four most common mistakes that reduce efficiency and practical tips on how to avoid them.
Poor placement in the line
Magnetic separators are often installed at the end of the line, when metal contaminants can already damage the crusher, mill, or other equipment. It is more effective to place the separator before critical technological nodes and, for sensitive products, to supplement it with final cleaning before packaging.
Under-dimensioning of performance
With high flow rates or excessively thick layers of material, particles may not enter the effective field of the magnet, making separation less effective. Therefore, when designing, base your calculations on the actual performance of the line and take into account the method of material transport (pipeline transport, free fall, belt conveyor, etc.).
Ignoring material properties
Fine powders and moist or sticky mixtures place significantly different demands on magnetic separation than dry granules. Clogging or the formation of deposits can quickly reduce the efficiency of separation. It is therefore crucial to choose the right type of separator and, ideally, to verify its functionality on a real material sample.
Irregular cleaning
A clogged separator gradually loses its efficiency and the separation results can be unstable. We therefore recommend setting up a clear cleaning and inspection regime (e.g. in connection with shifts) and regularly evaluating the amount of impurities captured.
Do you want to be sure that you choose the right type of separator and achieve the desired efficiency? Contact us – we will recommend a suitable solution, including a placement proposal.