ifm SD6500 Compressed Air Flow Meter, R 1/2, IO-Link

ifm SD6500 Compressed Air Flow Meter, R 1/2, IO-Link

The ifm SD6500 is a compressed air meter that reports flow, consumed volume, system pressure and medium temperature from one device. It covers 4 to 1250 l/min (0.25 to 75 m³/h) with an R 1/2 external thread (DN15), and shows the values on a 1.44 inch colour display that can be rotated for the best view. A pressure rating of 16 bar makes it suitable for typical plant air networks.

Outputs are configurable: switching, analogue (4 to 20 mA), pulse for the consumption count, and IO-Link. A reset input clears the counter. Seven Star LLC supplies the SD6500 in Oman and the GCC as an independent supplier in Muscat.

SD6500 technical specifications

The table lists the values published by the manufacturer for the SD6500. Where a parameter has several operating modes, the headline value is shown; the full parameter list is in the manufacturer documentation.

How the SD6500 works

The SD6500 measures compressed air with a calorimetric principle: a heated element and a temperature sensor sit in the air stream, and the cooling effect on the heated element depends on the mass flow. A separate pressure cell and medium temperature sensor in the same housing allow the meter to report flow, consumed volume, line pressure and temperature together. The colour display can be rotated for readability, the counter can be reset through an input or over IO-Link, and the analogue, switching and pulse outputs can be scaled to match what the controller expects.

Where the SD6500 fits and related parts

The SD6500 is the compressed air member of the flow group in this range; the SM6004 and SM8000 are for conductive liquids, and the SA5000 is a probe-type flow sensor for water, oil and air velocity. For energy audits of air networks, the SD6500 gives consumption data per machine or per line, and the IO-Link interface passes it into an energy-management system.

Selection and ordering checklist for the SD6500

Work through the points below before you confirm the order, so that the SD6500 you receive is the one your machine or plant needs.

• Confirm the pipe size: R 1/2 external thread, DN15
• Check the flow range 4 to 1250 l/min against the real minimum and peak flows
• Confirm the pressure rating of 16 bar against the network and the medium temperature of -10 to 60 degrees Celsius
• Check air quality: the accuracy classes are tied to ISO 8573-1 air quality conditions in the data
• Decide which outputs are used: switching, analogue, pulse, IO-Link

The manufacturer lists this article under the type designation Compressed air meter, SDR12DGXFRKG/US-100. The article number SD6500 is the reference to quote when ordering, and the type designation is useful for technicians who compare the label on an installed unit.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance

Install the meter in a straight section of pipe using the supplied process connection, respecting the direction arrow and the straight-run recommendations from the ifm documentation. Position it downstream of the dryer and filter so that condensate and oil do not coat the measuring element, because the accuracy classes are tied to a stated air quality. Commissioning consists of choosing the display units, setting the start and end points of the analogue output, defining the pulse value for the consumption counter and, if used, enabling IO-Link data. Check the pipe for leaks around the thread, because leakage upstream of the meter will not be counted, and verify the counter value against a known consumption interval.

The accuracy figure is class based: class 141 gives ±(2 % of measured value + 0.5 % of final value) under defined air quality, and a less clean air class has a wider tolerance. So place the meter after the dryer and filter. At commissioning confirm there are no leaks in the pipe section downstream of the meter, since leakage is also measured as consumption.

Typical applications in Oman and the GCC

Compressed air accounts for a large share of the energy bill in workshops, packaging, fabrication and process plants, and the SD6500 helps to locate wasteful sections. In Oman and the GCC it is used on compressor discharge, on branch lines to production areas and on air supply to instrumentation panels, as a measure of energy intensity and to alarm on leaks.

Flow meters in the region often sit in cooling and utility circuits that run year-round at high ambient temperature. Scale, bubbles and dirt are the main sources of error, so strainers upstream and a full pipe at the measuring point matter more than any setting in the menu.

SD6500 compared with related ifm types

The table places the SD6500 next to neighbouring types in the same application group, so you can see whether a sibling would suit the job better.

Information to send with an RFQ for the SD6500

To prepare an accurate offer for the SD6500, please include the following with your enquiry:

• Pipe size and thread type at the installation point
• Expected flow range and operating pressure
• Air quality (dryer type, oil content) at the measurement point
• Outputs needed: switching, analogue, pulse or IO-Link
• Quantity and delivery location

Documents and quotation

No datasheet is attached to this page. Send us the part number SD6500 and we will confirm which documents are available, such as the datasheet and operating instructions, and for IO-Link devices the device description file.

Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat serving Oman and the GCC and is not affiliated with the manufacturer; the name ifm is used only to identify the product. Prices are not shown on the page, so send the part number, the quantity and the delivery location to receive a quotation.