The KOBOLD MIK is a compact magnetic flow meter, also called an electromagnetic or magnetic inductive flow meter, that measures conductive liquids from 0.18 GPH to 180 GPM with an economical plastic body and no moving parts. It delivers accurate, reliable measurement of water, acids, caustics, and salty or corrosive solutions without the maintenance headaches of mechanical meters, holding ±2% of full scale accuracy with ±1% repeatability and a maximum pressure loss of 3.7 psi at full scale. The MIK is manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with BABA compliant models available for publicly funded projects.
Corrosion-Resistant Materials for Aggressive Media
Each MIK pairs a fiberglass-reinforced PPS or PVDF flow body with 316L stainless steel, Hastelloy C4, or tantalum electrodes and NBR, FKM, or FFKM seals. These wetted-material combinations cover everything from ground water and raw water to acids, caustic solutions, and aggressive or salty chemical media.
The media must be electrically conductive, with a minimum of 30 µS/cm (200 µS/cm for range codes U0 and U1); the meter is unsuitable for oils and other low or non-conductive liquids. Media viscosity can reach 20 cSt on ranges U0 through U8 and 70 cSt on ranges UA through UH.
Flow Ranges and Process Connections
Six native connection sizes, G ½ through G 2¾ male, cover thirteen full scale ranges. Optional fitting sets adapt each size to NPT female, PVC glue socket, hose barb, or butt weld ends in PVC, polypropylene, PVDF, 316L stainless steel, or brass, so the sensor drops into existing lines.
- G ½ male: 0.18...7.8 GPH, 0.78...15.6 GPH, or 2.4...48.0 GPH
- G ¾ male: 0.13...2.6 GPM or 0.2...4.0 GPM
- G 1 male: 0.4...8.0 GPM or 0.65...13 GPM
- G 1½ male: 0.8...16 GPM or 1.3...26 GPM
- G 2 male: 2.0...40 GPM or 4.0...80 GPM
- G 2¾ male: 6.5...130 GPM or 9.0...180 GPM
Media temperature spans -4...176°F (-20...80°C), limited to 140°F (60°C) with the PVC connection set, at ambient temperatures of 14...140°F (-10...60°C). Maximum working pressure is 145 psi.
How Electromagnetic Flow Measurement Works
The MIK operates on Faraday's Law of magnetic induction: a voltage arises in a conductor moving through a magnetic field, and here the conductive liquid itself is that conductor. The induced voltage is proportional to flow velocity, which makes it a direct value for volumetric flow through the pipe.
Because this magnetic inductive principle involves no mechanical interaction with the liquid, readings stay independent of media density, viscosity, and temperature, and nothing in the flow path wears out. Mounting is universal, with flow in the direction of the arrow and straight runs of three pipe diameters on the inlet and two on the outlet.
U-PACE Electronics, IO-Link, and Output Options
Four electronics families run on 24 VDC: scalable frequency outputs (F300, F390), relay or active 24 VDC switching (S300, S30D), and 4-20 mA analog transmitters (L343, L443), plus the U-PACE compact electronics (C3T0) with a rotatable color TFT display and two configurable outputs.
The C3T0 version measures flow and temperature together, supports bidirectional measurement, and offers pulse, frequency, analog, alarm, and control functions on either output. Grand and resettable totalizers track cumulative volume, a batching function takes an external control input, and IO-Link V1.1 connectivity brings the meter into Industry 4.0 architectures. Response time is approximately one second, with IP65 protection.
Applications Across Industrial Markets
MIK meters monitor, measure, batch, and totalize flow in machine building, chemical processing, paper production, automotive plants, cement works, and laboratories. Material options match the duty: Hastelloy C4 electrodes and PVDF bodies for dosing aggressive chemicals, and tantalum electrodes where corrosion resistance requirements are extreme.
Municipal water and wastewater treatment operations use the MIK for chemical dosing duty, while paper mills take advantage of the obstruction-free flow tube for fiber-laden white water. The plastic construction and low-maintenance design keep it practical for cost-sensitive installations.
Made in USA with BABA Compliance
The MIK magnetic flow meter is manufactured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and meets Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance requirements for federal and public infrastructure projects. That makes it eligible for municipal water systems, wastewater treatment upgrades, federal facility improvements, and other publicly funded work.
Domestic manufacturing also means shorter lead times, direct access to factory technical support, and long-term parts availability.
Common Questions about MIK - Plastic Magnetic Flow Meter - Chemicals, Acids, Caustics, Water
Two sensing electrodes in contact with the liquid pick up the voltage generated as the medium passes through the meter's magnetic field. A measuring amplifier converts that signal, and the flow rate is calculated from the cross-sectional area of the pipe. The electrodes sit opposite one another, insulated from the measuring tube.
The MIK works within its guaranteed error margins once the medium conducts at 30 microsiemens per centimeter; range codes U0 and U1 need 200 µS/cm. The electronics monitor conductivity continuously and, if it under-runs the minimum for two seconds, the output signal is suppressed and zero flow is reported.
Native connections are male parallel threads from G ½ to G 2¾. Fitting sets adapt them to female NPT threads, solvent-weld sockets, hose barbs, or weld-in tube ends; material choices run from PVC and polypropylene through PVDF to metal options in brass or 316L grade stainless. A meter can also be ordered without a fitting set.
Install it in vertical, horizontal, or rising piping with the arrow pointing along the flow, allowing an inlet section of 3 x PD and an outlet section of 2 x PD (pipe diameters). The measuring channel must stay completely filled, so avoid inlet-side valves or large reductions and fit vents upstream where gases are entrained.
Depending on the electronics ordered, the meter delivers a 500 Hz or 50...1000 Hz frequency signal, an SPDT relay or active 24 VDC switch with its point adjustable from 10 to 100% of full scale in 10% steps, a 4-20 mA signal into 500 Ω maximum, or two freely configurable outputs on the C3T0.
With C3T0 compact electronics, a digital sensor reads media temperature alongside flow and shows both on the TFT display. Stated accuracy is within 3.6°F (2°C), depending on ambient temperature, at flow velocities above 0.66 ft/s. The frequency, switching, and analog versions measure flow only.
Yes. The C3T0 electronics include a batching function driven by an external control signal: a pulse of 0.5 to 4 seconds starts or stops the batch, and one longer than 5 seconds resets it. Output two serves as the batching output, suiting automated fill and chemical feed tasks.
KOBOLD builds the MIK in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and BABA compliant models are available for federally funded and public infrastructure work such as water and wastewater projects. Domestic production also shortens delivery and keeps factory support and spare parts close at hand.
Because nothing mechanical moves in the flow path, there is no wear-related upkeep. In fluids that tend to deposit sediment, check the measuring tube at regular intervals and clean it when needed; minor deposits generally do not compromise accuracy as long as their conductivity does not seriously deviate from the fluid's.