# XKC-Y26-V liquid level sensor: specs and pinout

> Stick-on, non-contact liquid level sensor for pipes and flat containers. It senses liquid through the wall and gives a two-level voltage output.…

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Stick-on, non-contact liquid level sensor for pipes and flat containers. It senses liquid through the wall and gives a two-level voltage output. Maker: Shenzhen XingKeChuang (XKC).

Every value cites its sourceReference-design pinout

[Buy on Compoden](https://compoden.com/products/xkc-y26-v-non-contact-liquid-level-sensor-5-24v-compoden)

## Specs

| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Input voltage | DC 5-12 V version and DC 24 V version (two variants) | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Output methods | NPN, PNP, or V (voltage high / low), depending on the version | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Consumption current | 5 mA max | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Output voltage high / low | High = Vin, low = 0 V (V version) | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Output current | 100 mA max | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Response time | 500 ms | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Working temperature | -20 C to 105 C | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Suitable pipe diameter | OD 12 mm or larger | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Induction accuracy | +/- 1.5 mm | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Ingress protection | IP67 | source XKC-Y26 Pipeline liquid level sensor, Product parameters (brochure p.7) |

## Power

| | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | DC 5-12 V version or DC 24 V version; check which one you have | source XKC-Y26 Product parameters (brochure p.7) |
| Current | 5 mA max | source XKC-Y26 Product parameters (brochure p.7) |

## Pinout

Wire colours and the output wiring come from the maker's brochure page for the XKC-Y26 family; the connector shape is not described there.

| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | VCC | DC 5-12 V or DC 24 V by version | Wire colours as drawn in the maker wiring diagram. | source Wiring diagram, high/low signal output (brochure p.7) |
| Yellow | OUT (signal) | High = Vin, low = 0 V; 100 mA max | Normally open / normally closed is selected as shown in the diagram. | source Wiring diagram, high/low signal output (brochure p.7) |
| Blue | GND | 0 V | | source Wiring diagram, high/low signal output (brochure p.7) |

## Build with it
Project ideas for the XKC-Y26-V liquid level sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.

- [Tank level display](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20water%20tank%20level%20display%20with%20an%20Arduino%20Uno%2C%20an%20XKC-Y26-V%20sensor%20and%20a%2016x2%20LCD): First read the version on the sensor label (DC 5-12 V or DC 24 V). Only the 5-12 V version goes on the Uno's 5 V pin: the sensor draws 5 mA max and its high output (Vin = 5 V) suits a 5 V board. With the 24 V version do not connect the output to the Uno at all without a level interface. Display only; not a safety or overflow protection device.
- [Refill time recorder](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20refill%20time%20recorder%20with%20an%20Arduino%20Uno%2C%20an%20XKC-Y26-V%20sensor%20on%20a%20pipe%20and%20a%20DS3231%20clock%20module%20that%20prints%20the%20time%20to%20the%20serial%20monitor): First read the version on the sensor label (DC 5-12 V or DC 24 V). Use the 5-12 V version from 5 V for a direct connection to the Uno; the 24 V version needs a separate 24 V supply and a level interface before any board pin. The sensor responds in 500 ms, enough to mark when the pipe goes empty or full. Pipe must be OD 12 mm or larger.
- [Pipe full or empty indicator](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20pipe%20full%20or%20empty%20indicator%20with%20an%20Arduino%20Nano%2C%20an%20XKC-Y26-V%20sensor%20and%20an%20OLED%20display): First read the version on the sensor label (DC 5-12 V or DC 24 V). Both the Nano and the OLED run at 5 V here, with the 5-12 V version powered from 5 V; never put the 24 V version's output on a Nano pin. The OLED's own supply range is on its page. The sensor reads through the pipe wall with +/- 1.5 mm switching accuracy.

## Common mistakes

- Not checking which version you have: the maker lists a DC 5-12 V version and a DC 24 V version, not one 5-24 V range. Read the sensor label first; power a 5-12 V version from 5 V only, and never power it from 24 V ([source](http://www.xkc-sensor.com/phoenix/admin/download?fileId=qRAfLzqpcJsO&dp=GvUApKfKKUAU))
- Wiring the V output straight to a board pin: the high level equals the supply voltage. On a 3.3 V pin that needs a level interface, and on the 24 V version the output is 24 V, which must never reach an Uno, Nano or ESP32 pin ([source](http://www.xkc-sensor.com/phoenix/admin/download?fileId=qRAfLzqpcJsO&dp=GvUApKfKKUAU))
- Using it on a very small tube: suitable pipe diameter is OD 12 mm or larger ([source](http://www.xkc-sensor.com/phoenix/admin/download?fileId=qRAfLzqpcJsO&dp=GvUApKfKKUAU))

## Not covered by the official source

- The brochure does not say which version is supplied, how the normally-open / normally-closed option is set, or the container wall thickness limit for the Y26.
- Connector style and cable length are shown only in the drawing.
- Output voltage of the 24 V version equals its 24 V supply (high = Vin), so it needs a level interface before any 3.3 V or 5 V board pin.

## Sources

- [link](http://www.xkc-sensor.com/phoenix/admin/download?fileId=qRAfLzqpcJsO&dp=GvUApKfKKUAU) (Shenzhen XingKeChuang (XKC) product brochure PDF from the maker's site)
- Document pages: XKC-Y26 sheet is brochure p.7