A digital water flow meter is an electronic instrument used to measure the quantity of water moving through a channel or closed pipeline. These flow instruments come in different models depending on the ways of measurement, care requirements, and budget. Every digital water flow meter model has a distinctive mode of operation, price, and benefits.
There several types of meters one can use to measure the quantity of water flowing in a channel/pipe.
Examples of digital water flow meter include;
A magnetic flow meter (mag meter) utilizes the magnetic field to measure the speed and volume of liquid passing inside a tube. Industrial electromagnetic water flow meter uses the idea of faradays rule of electromagnetic induction, whereby fluids can produce electrical energy when flowing through a magnetic field.
The rate of the liquid flowing, in this case, is directly proportional to the current produced. This type of digital water flow meter cannot measure distilled water because it have low conductivity. For this flow instrument to work there must be a presence of conductivity.
Digital Magnetic water flow meter can measure corrosive water, waste water or water contained some solids and impurities. Digital magnetic water flow meter has current output and pulse output, digital display to show industrial flow rate and total flow. Magnetic flow transmitter is option with Modbus, Profibus DP or HART protocol for industrial process control purpose.
Mag meters come in different types, such as insertion, in-line, and low flow mag meter. If you are using large pipes, the best magnetic flow meter is the insertion flow sensor, while the best for accurate results and high flowing speed is in-line type magnetic flow transmitter.
Liquid turbine flow meter is the most common type of flow measurement instrument used to measure the flow of liquids electronically. Most individuals prefer this type because it is durable, adaptable, requires a low maintenance level and low price cost. They can withstand high pressure plus low and high temperatures. Its working principle is simple compared to other digital water flow meters.
The turbines flow sensor have blades that rotate when fluid passes through them. The turbine rotor speed increases with an increase in fluid velocity and vice versa. Turbine flow transmitter has an exterior pick-off on its body that senses the propelling blades, making the sensor produce frequency. For these digital water flow meters to be more accurate, you should ensure that the rate of water flow is high. Liquid turbine flow meter is normally used to measure clean water, such as hot water, RO water, deionized water, condensate water.,etc.
They are well known as rotameters. Its operating principle is rather simple compared to that of a magnetic flow meter. It has a conical pipe with a float in it.As the water flows through the narrowing pipe, rotameter pushes the float to a wider region so that the water may pass. The tubes used can be in metallic, plastic, or glass form. Variable area flow meter can be a simple type flowmeter to indicate industrial water flow rate and without any output ,it can also equip with flow transmitter to have 4-20Ma output and digital display.
This type of flow meter is recommendable because it can measure even a low amount of fluids accurately. It falls under the category of a displacement flow meter. It consists of two gears ( oval), which are compelled to revolve when water flows. When the two gears weave together, they push a determinate amount of water to pass through the meter. It is equipped with sensors that detect when the gears revolve to determine the amount of water displaced. Inserting magnets inside the rotors will produce a pulse as they revolve, enabling easy measurement of the flow rate. Only stainless steel oval gear flow meter can measure industiral water, so it is not very cheap option for water measurement.
Summing up
A digital water flow meter is a critical tool to install for faster and precise measurement of fluid flow rates. All the above flow meters are efficient instruments that can help you know the exact volumes of fluids passing through hose. You can choose the most appropriate one to use, depending on your budget and preference.