A fluid level detector is provided, which has a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensing zone adjacent the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter and receiver are arranged such that when an electric field forms between the transmitter and receiver, a fringe electric field extends from the transmitter into the sensing zone. The transmitter and receiver are both on a same side of the sensing zone, and a fluid located at the sensing zone changes a measured capacitance at the transmitter and receiver system.