ABB Magnetic level gauge KM26

Overview

The ABB KM26 is a magnetic level gauge providing high-precision, maintenance-free continuous liquid level indication for industrial tanks and vessels. Built for reliability and clarity, the KM26 gives operators a visual, accurate level display even under extreme process conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, or corrosive service – entirely without electrical power for the basic visual indication function.

Seven Star LLC supplies the ABB KM26 to oil and gas, chemical, water treatment, and power generation operators across Oman and the wider GCC as an experienced supply partner for genuine ABB instrumentation. Units are supplied on request, with manufacturer documentation where available, and lead time is confirmed at quotation.

Operating Principle

The KM26 uses a float containing a powerful magnet that rises and falls with the liquid level inside a chamber mounted alongside the vessel; the float’s magnetic field couples through the chamber wall to an external indicator with rotating flags or a shuttle, transmitting the liquid level to a clearly visible display without any power supply or electronic signal path required for basic visual indication.

This purely mechanical/magnetic coupling principle is what allows the KM26 to keep working reliably during a power outage or in a hazardous area where powered electronics would require additional certification – the visual indication continues regardless of instrument power availability. The float is engineered with a minimum of 75 grams of upward buoyant force and can resolve liquid-liquid interfaces down to a specific-gravity difference of just 0.03, making the KM26 useful not only for simple tank-level indication but also for oil/water and similar interface applications.

Engineering Design of the ABB KM26

The KM26 is compatible with a wide range of optional accessories, including switches and transmitters, for added functionality and remote monitoring – letting a facility start with simple visual indication and add electronic signals later as automation requirements grow, without replacing the base gauge.

The robust design ensures long-term operation with high resistance to shock, vibration, and environmental hazards, and flexible mounting configurations along with a range of materials to suit different process media provide unmatched adaptability and performance across varied installation requirements. The chamber is rated from full vacuum to 5000 psi (345 bar) and from −196°C to 538°C (−320°F to 1000°F), spanning cryogenic to high-temperature service on a single product family. Chamber materials include 304/304L, 316/316L, 317/317L, 321, 347, and 904 stainless steel, Hastelloy B or C-276, Alloy 20, titanium, Monel, and zirconium, plus thermoplastic options (PVC, CPVC, polypropylene, fiberglass) for lower-pressure corrosive service, with process connections in ½-inch to 6-inch flanged, threaded, or welded configurations rated 150 to 2500 psi. Indicator options include sealed Lexan or glass-tube shuttles for high visibility and magnetic bargraph flags in yellow/black or red/white, with a frost-extension option for cryogenic service down to −320°F.

Key Features

• Continuous visual liquid level indication, no power required
• Magnetic float-and-flag/shuttle coupling mechanism
• Suited to high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive service
• Compatible with optional switches and transmitters for remote monitoring
• Robust design resists shock, vibration, and environmental hazards
• Flexible mounting configurations
• Range of materials to suit different process media
• Complies with global safety and quality standards
• Chamber rated full vacuum to 5000 psi (345 bar) and −196°C to 538°C (−320°F to 1000°F)
• Resolves liquid-liquid interfaces to 0.03 specific-gravity difference
• Shuttle or magnetic bargraph flag indicators (yellow/black or red/white)
• Chamber materials from 304/316 SS through Hastelloy, titanium, Monel, zirconium, and thermoplastics

Industrial Applications

The KM26 is suitable for use across oil and gas, chemical, water treatment, and power generation industries wherever continuous, reliable visual level indication is needed – especially in hazardous areas or locations where a purely mechanical indication method offers safety and reliability advantages over a fully electronic alternative.

Across Oman’s petrochemical, water treatment, and power generation sectors, and throughout the wider GCC, Seven Star LLC supplies the KM26 as a trusted supplier of ABB products to facilities in Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah that require dependable magnetic level gauges, correctly matched between chamber material, pressure class, and indicator style for the customer’s actual process conditions.

Technical Specifications

Shuttle or Bargraph: Choosing the KM26 Indicator

ABB offers two indicator types on the KM26. The shuttle is a small orange cylinder with an embedded magnet that travels inside a sealed glass or plastic tube, with a black reference line read against the scale. It is the lower-cost choice and suits most services, but flashing or strong turbulence can move the float erratically and decouple the shuttle, which then has to be recoupled by hand with an external magnet. The bargraph uses a column of two-colour flags, each with its own magnet, that rotate as the float passes.

ABB describes the bargraph as more robust than the shuttle, and it is supplied in yellow/black or red/white for locations where temperature is not excessive; temperature limits for a given design should be confirmed before ordering. One exception matters for separators: when the gauge carries two floats to show interface and total level, shuttle indication is required, with one shuttle coupled to each float. The indicator scale is set at the factory for the liquid named in the order, so a later change in specific gravity can require a new float.

Switches and Transmitters That Mount on the Chamber

Point switches clamp to the outside of the KM26 chamber with stainless steel clamps and can be moved to any position along the measuring range, or added later without new process piping or valves. ABB lists four magnetically actuated types: the LMS100 hermetically sealed reed switch with SPDT contact, the LMS200 and MS41 cam-driven snap-action switches with DPDT contacts rated 10 A AC, and the PS45 pneumatic switch for sites without electrical power. Each gives a normally open or normally closed dry contact for alarms, solenoids or pump starters.

For a continuous 4 to 20 mA signal, an LMT200 or AT200 magnetostrictive transmitter is strapped alongside the chamber and reads the same float magnet, so the gauge stays a self-contained visual instrument while the transmitter feeds the control system. On insulated high-temperature gauges the switches and transmitter are mounted over an insulation pad or on rod-mount brackets outside the jacket, and the insulation must not increase the distance between the float and the device. State any switches, transmitter and insulation in the enquiry so the chamber is built with the right brackets.

Request a Quote for ABB Magnetic level gauge KM26

Contact Seven Star LLC for a quotation on the ABB KM26 magnetic level gauge, with manufacturer documentation.

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