10 Things to be considered in choosing an Appropriate Digital Flow Meter

Whichever the digital flow meter one chooses to purchase, one must have valid reasons and numerable considerations to how well it will serve you.

 

1. Reason why you want the flow meter: Many people just want to know the rate at which a fluid or gas is getting used up but go on to purchase a digital flow meter which, in their case is not necessary. A simple flow indicator and not a digital flow meter will suffice for this reason. Simple and easy to install and requiring no external power, a flow indicator can be used to provide a local indication of flow.

 

 

2. Cost over efficiency: Same case applies here. You will find a number of people choosing a digital flow meter by considering the cost alone. The cheapest does not mean it is the best. Although it might seem the best way to save money in the short term at the moment of purchase, opting for the lowest cost solution may potentially result in many problems later down the line that one could have avoided. These problems might even be more costly than the original price of the flow meter.

 

 

3. Profile the flow you want to measure: One should know the flow of the fluid or gas they want to measure first before purchasing a digital flow meter. This helps narrow down the choices of digital flow meters that suit one’s interest.

 

 

4. Widest turn-down ratio: Turn-down ratio is a flow measurement term that indicates the range of a specific flow meter, or meter type, is able to measure with acceptable accuracy. It is virtually impossible to know in advance the exact range of flows to be measured, therefore selecting one with the widest turn-down ratio helps.

 

 

5. Best accuracy: it's obvious. The reason one requires a digital flow meter is accurate. So directly, choose the one with the best accuracy.

 

 

6. Calibration: Calibration is a comparison between measurements – one of known magnitude or correctness made or set with one flow meter and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second flow meter. One should choose a flow meter that can be recalibrated to suit your application rather than the manufacturer’s application.

 

 

7. Alarms and alerts: A digital flow meter that is connected to a telemetry network can send you an alarm if anything goes wrong, giving you confidence that the flow meter is installed, working, and measuring correctly. Some flow meters can also tell you the amount of sediment so you know when it is time to give them a clean to maintain high flows with low head loss.

 

 

8. Tolerance to silt and sediment: Deposited silt changes the cross-sectional area of the flow meter and this generally causes the flow meter to over read. Best to consult your supplier if silt will be an issue beforehand.

 

 

9. Head loss: this is loss of energy as a fluid moves through a flow meter. The owner should first consider if they can afford a head loss before purchase.

 

 

10. Future proofing: Look for flow meters that have an upgrade path, that are modular and allow components to be added or replaced when technologies change or your budget allows. Avoid something that limits your options.

 

This post is contributed by SpireMT, a leading supplier of digital flow meters, electrical energy meters, water flow meter, handheld ultrasonic flow meter and many more. For more information visit at www.spiremt.com