In one form a capacitive sensor is disclosed for immersion into a fluid, the capacitive sensor having a housing and first and second electrodes with the first
electrode being disposed at least partially within the housing and electrically connected to a circuit, the second
electrode being electrically connected to the circuit via an
electrical connection and physically separated from the housing containing at least a portion of the first
electrode so that at least a portion of the
electrical connection or second electrode is located above or outside of the fluid to reduce the risk that minerals will form between the electrodes. In another form the electrodes are separated into their own cavities of the sensor housing via a bridging member which separates the electrodes to help reduce the risk of mineral buildup occurring between the electrodes. In other forms, capacitors, capacitive sensors, pump controls and systems utilizing these features are disclosed along with methods and apparatus relating to same. In yet other forms additional sensors such as current sensors,
thermal sensors, speed sensors, torque sensors and
Hall Effect sensors are disclosed for use alone or in combination with said capacitive sensor for detecting
fluid level and / or controlling pumps. In still other forms, apparatus and methods relating to
self cleaning pumps are disclosed.