01
Continuous volumetric flow value
Use for cooling-water control, process supply and consumption monitoring.
ifm · Flow
ifm SM Magnetic-Inductive Flow Meters
Measure flow rate, total volume and temperature in suitable conductive, water-based liquids without moving mechanical parts. The industrial SM family spans small machine flow rates through large cooling-water lines and provides digital, analogue and IO-Link functions by model.
Magnetic-inductive≥ 20 µS/cmFlow + totaliser + temperatureIO-LinkUp to 600 l/min core range
Medium requirement≥ 20 µS/cmIndustrial SM conductivity threshold
Process values3Flow rate, total volume, temperature
Core industrial range5 ml/min…900 l/minAcross the current industrial SM selection
Moving partsNoneElectronic magnetic-inductive measurement
Process transparency
One inline meter for flow rate, total quantity and fluid temperature
SM magmeters are designed for conductive liquids where a mechanical paddle, turbine or float meter would add moving parts, wear or blockage risk.
02
Accumulated volume
Useful for batching, consumption tracking and machine utility monitoring.
03
Additional process value
Monitor fluid temperature together with flow through the same device.
04
IO-Link and electronic status
Digital data supports device configuration and process transparency without extra mechanical sensing elements.
Conductive-liquid applications
Best suited to water-based cooling and process media
01
Machine cooling circuits
Continuous flow monitoring helps prevent overheating and supports machine availability.
02
Water supply and consumption
Track instantaneous flow and totalised volume through machine or plant circuits.
03
Cooling / heat-transfer circuits
Review concentration, conductivity and exact media compatibility against the selected SM model.
Conductivity is a hard selection condition. The industrial SM series requires conductive media, with ifm specifying a minimum conductivity of 20 µS/cm for the SM industrial route. Non-conductive oils are not automatically suitable.
Measurement principle
Faraday's law converts motion of a conductive liquid into a flow measurement
A magnetic field is applied across the measuring tube. Conductive liquid moving through that field produces a voltage proportional to flow velocity, allowing the electronics to calculate volumetric flow.
No rotor or paddleNo mechanical measuring element sits in the flow stream to wear or stick.
Conductive medium requiredThe measuring principle depends on electrical conductivity of the liquid.
DirectionCurrent SM routes can support flow-direction detection depending on product configuration.
Installationifm highlights compact installation and low pressure loss; verify installation instructions for the exact model and piping arrangement.
Industrial SM selection
Select by line size, flow range and process connection
| Representative models | Process connection | Measuring range | Gasket route | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM4020 / SM4120 | G 1/4 | 5…5000 ml/min | FKM / EPDM | Very small liquid flow |
| SM6020 / SM6120 / SM6621 | G 1/2 or 1/2" NPT | 0.05…35 l/min | FKM / EPDM | Compact cooling circuits |
| SM7020 / SM7120 / SM7621 | G 3/4 or 3/4" NPT | 0.1…75 l/min | FKM / EPDM | Mid-range machine water |
| SM8020 / SM8120 / SM8621 | G 1 or 1" NPT | 0.2…150 l/min | FKM / EPDM | Larger cooling / process lines |
| SM9000 / SM9100 / SM9601 | G 2 or 1½" NPT | 5…300 l/min | FKM / EPDM | High-flow industrial water |
| SM2000 / SM2100 / SM2601 | G 2 or 2" NPT | 5…600 l/min | FKM / EPDM | Large machine / plant circuits |
| SM0510 / SM2130 | G 2 | 5…900 l/min | FKM / EPDM | Highest-flow current SM route in the published selection |
Engineering criteria
Flow range alone is not enough to select a magmeter
Key industrial SM conditions
Confirm medium conductivity, process connection, pipe size, pressure, temperature and output architecture before quoting.
Measuring principleMagnetic-inductive
MediumSuitable conductive, primarily water-based liquids
Minimum conductivity20 µS/cm for industrial SM route
Process valuesFlow rate, total quantity, temperature
OutputsDigital / analogue / IO-Link depending on model
DisplayModel dependent; current variants include TFT-display routes
Choose the measurement principle
SM is not the right ifm flow technology for every liquid
| Application / medium | Technology route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive water-based liquid | SM magnetic-inductive | Primary fit Accurate inline flow with no moving parts |
| Deionised / low-conductivity water | SU ultrasonic | Ultrasonic measurement does not require electrical conductivity |
| Fast coolant cycling / water or oil route | SB mechatronic | Very fast response; verify medium and viscosity |
| Cost-sensitive smaller water lines | SV vortex | Alternative for suitable 1/2" and 3/4" water applications |
| Compressed air / industrial gases | SD thermal mass | Different measurement principle for gas consumption |
Requirement capture
Inputs required to select the SM flow meter
MediumExact fluid name, composition and concentration.
ConductivityConfirm conductivity is at least 20 µS/cm for industrial SM.
Flow rangeMinimum, normal and maximum expected flow.
Pipe / connectionPipe size and G/NPT/process connection requirement.
Process conditionsPressure and fluid temperature.
OutputsSwitching, 4–20 mA, pulse/totaliser and IO-Link requirement.