How To Install Flow Meter

How To Install Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meters – FAQ's

Published xiv Oct 2022

By Chris Dodds : estimated reading time 8 minutes

Katronic accept been working with clench-on ultrasonic flow meters for twenty years.

During this time Katronic have gained a vast amount of feel in specifying and supplying ultrasonic flow meters for a wide variety of unlike applications.

In this Web log you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about ultrasonic flow meters in general and Katronic period meters in particular.

Should you require whatsoever further data please contact Thorne & Derrick Sales Engineers – we can answer your questions, we can supply your requirements.

Katronic Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Ultrasonic Menstruum Meters

HOW IS THE Menses METER INSTALLED?

Every bit the ultrasonic sensors are simply clamped on the piping surface, Katronic ultrasonic menstruation meters tin exist installed without the demand to break into pipelines.

The sensors are stock-still to the pipage using metallic bondage, straps or mounting rails.

Additionally, coupling paste is applied to the bottom of the flow sensors to ensure an acoustically conductive connection to the pipe.

While particularly rough or pitted pipe surfaces may need cleaning with a file or suitable abrasive material, Katronic menstruation sensors can unremarkably exist installed without the demand for surface training.

Every instrument of the Katronic KATflow serial is equipped with a Setup Magician and an Audible Sensor Positioning Banana, which guide the user step-by-footstep through the installation process.

As a issue, it only takes minutes to install and set the ultrasonic flow meter and to obtain correct measurement data.

Professionalism: T&D, The Metering Specialists , ensure correct option and application feasibility by on site demonstrations

Setting Upwards a Katronic Fixed ultrasonic Flowmeter

Setting upwards a Katronic Portable ultrasonic Flowmeter

WHAT IS THE ACCURACY OF KATRONIC FLOW METERS?

For volumetric flow measurements, Katronic's KATflow flow meters can reach an uncertainty of 1 to 3 % of the measured value depending on the specific flow measurement application.

Uncertainty of approximately 0.5 % can be achieved with on-site process calibration. In case of catamenia velocity measurements, the flow meters reach an uncertainty within 0.5% of the measured value.

WHAT IS THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR A FLOW METER?

Katronic'due south ultrasonic clamp-on flow meters do non contain moving parts which could wearable out. The sensor casings are manufactured from stainless steel and are not in contact with the flowing medium, which helps avoid corrosion. Thus maintenance should not be necessary.

Are Flow Meters Suitable For Hazardous Areas?

Katronic KATflow 170 is an ATEX certified flow meter for condom installation in Zone 1 & Zone ii hazardous area locations and potentially explosive atmospheres – available in both aluminium and stainless steel for flow metering of hazardous expanse located pipework.

…

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED Battery Duration OF A PORTABLE METER?

Both the KATflow 200 and KATflow 230 ultrasonic flowmeters operate for up to 24 hours in continuous operation on a full accuse.

Katronic KATflow 210 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Portable)

Katronic KATflow 210 Ultrasonic Clench-On Flowmeter (Portable)

The period meters should fully charge in twelve hours – the operating time of a portable flow meter would decrease if the instrument is used intermittently.

KATflow 230 is fitted with two four-20 mA active outputs. If these are turned on battery life will subtract. The outputs should be disabled in the input/output card if not in utilize.

If an extended operation is required and so the KATflow 210 should be used.

The instrument has several battery configurations available and can be operated in iii different measurement modes intended to provide the longest possible measurement.

Present estimates bespeak that in its largest chapters the KATflow 210 should be able to provide data logging for over 3 months.

All of the Katronic flow meters can also exist operated off mains power, providing continuous performance, even if just on a temporary ground.

If either of the ultrasonic flow meters are failing to meet the expected battery performance please contact the factory for additional communication.

WHY IS the FLOW METER Not POWERING UP?

Firstly, please ensure that the flow meters are fully charged – connect the flow meter to the charger.

At this bespeak the flow meter should power upward and the battery indicator should exist flashing to show that charging is in progress. If this does not happen please contact u.s..

If the menstruum meter powers upwardly on master supply turn off the menses meter, disconnect the power supply and attempt to plow on past pressing and holding the <ENTER> push.

If the flow meter fails to plow on, open the battery compartment, remove the batteries, check their integrity and replace in the flow meter. Repeat the start sequence.

If the menstruum meter screen nonetheless fails to illuminate the batteries may require replacement. Please contact the factory for more information.

Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Call T&D for Katronic Flowmeters

WHAT RANGE OF Pipage DIAMETERS CAN BE MEASURED?

The KATflow serial of ultrasonic clench-on flow meters tin encompass a pipage diameter range from 10mm (0.4 inches) to 3m (118 inches) with special solutions bachelor for non-standard applications.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD SENSOR CABLE LENGTHS?

The ultrasonic clamp-on sensors of the KATflow series come with a standard cable length of 2.5 or v.0 meters depending on the specific sensor blazon. Additional extension cables of up to 100 meters can be ordered separately.

HOW Practice I PROGRAM A Non-STANDARD MEDIUM?

The ultrasonic flowmeters have a library of standard menses meter programmed into them. If the liquid to be measured is non in the listing there are two things that tin exist done:

Firstly, the user tin select "Water" from the carte. This might seem unhelpful simply water has a skillful average fix of values for the three master parameters that the menstruum meter needs.

Using h2o for an application that was not water-based might non exist perfect but could requite the user a set-up that volition allow the flow meter to measure out.

Katronic KATflow 200 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Portable)

Please note that river-water, effluent, sewage etc. are all "h2o", it is but the solid content that varies.

Secondly, if the user wished to have a more accurate set of data for the medium parameters, select "User" from the drop-downward list and the flow meter will prompt the operator for three sets of data:

Kinematic Viscosity in mm²/due south
Density in kg/m³
Medium C-speed in m/s

It is unusual for users to know the C-speed of the medium, which is effectively the speed of electrical conductivity of a liquid to ultrasound.

In that location is a library of non-standard media in the dorsum of the manual for this purpose. If the data is not institute in that location, delight contact Thorne & Derrick technical support for advice.

Please note that any manually entered liquid data is only applicable at that temperature.

IS Calibration FOR SPECIFIC PIPES REQUIRED?

Calibrations for specific pipes are not necessary. Entering the specific application parameters (due east. one thousand. pipe diameter, pipe material, type of fluid) into the flow meter ensures the above stated accurateness. If additional accuracy is required, a process calibration can be carried out on site.

WHAT Do I LEARN FROM A FLOW METER CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE?

Due to the ultrasonic measurement technology, in that location is no demand to calibrate the flow meters to accomplish the higher up stated accuracy (encounter question no. 2).

If a client requires calibration, this tin be ordered for an additional charge. The certificate confirms that the supplied sensor and flow meter combination is delivering measurements which are in the accurateness range stated.

DOES THE COUPLING PASTE Demand REPLACEMENT?

Katronic KATflow 100 Ultrasonic Clamp-On Flowmeter (Fixed)

In one case applied to the sensors during the initial installation, the acoustic coupling paste should not have to exist replaced. If the mounting indicate is exposed to farthermost atmospheric conditions, nosotros would recommend the coverage of the sensors to be checked once a year.

WHY Practise THE PT100 SENSORS SHOW > +800 °C?

If a KATflow 100, KATflow 150, KATflow 170 or KATflow 230 is fitted with PT100 sensors we would wait the menstruum meter to provide reliable measurement of the pipe temperature.

If however the flow meter is showing a stock-still temperature of +800 ºC information technology means that the PT100 sensors are incorrectly connected to the flow meter, or are non connected at all.

This temperature is the default mistake output of the flow meter. Please consult the manual for wiring instructions.

Katronic Heatmeters Explained

WHY DOES THE Fixed Unit NOT TURN ON?

All of the Katronic fixed installation catamenia meters will turn on immediately when ability is supplied. If the flow meter fails to turn on when power is practical there are several checks that need to be made:

Firstly, ensure that power is reaching the master terminals on the menses meter using a multimeter. Check the fuses on the flow meter and replace if blown. Use the wiring diagram in the manual in order to ensure that the flow meter is wired correctly.

Check that the correct blazon of voltage is being supplied to the catamenia meter. AC and DC meters are marked accordingly, if an incorrect ability supply has been applied to the flow meter, delight disconnect the instrument and contact technical support equally damage may take been washed to the electronics.

WHAT IF I Accept Good Point Only NO FLOW?

Before taking a measurement, the ultrasonic menstruation meter volition guide you to the Aural Sensor Positioning Banana. This tool volition enable yous to find the optimum location for the transducers.

At this point it will give the user a graphical indication of indicate strength, bespeak quality and a recommended sensor spacing.

If this is correct, the user then moves to the measurement screen only what happens if in spite of practiced point flow measurements are non obtained?

Firstly a bank check should be fabricated in gild to ensure that at that place is indeed flow in the pipage at that moment. Experience has shown that many "issues" found when taking a measurement are awarding, rather than instrument based.

Hazardous Area Flowmeter - KATFlow 170 Katronic

Chancy Area Flowmeter – KATFlow 170 Katronic

If the liquid in the pipe is flowing, press <DISP> on the flow meter keypad to access the diagnostic level of the flow meter operating carte du jour, followed by <NEXT> until the display shows:

Gain
Signal
Noise

The flow meter has three pre-set up cutting-off values exterior of which measurement will non be possible under normal conditions.

If Signal is < -10 dB the flowmeter will non measure out
If Noise > x dB the flowmeter will not mensurate
If SNR (Signal-Noise) < 6 dB the flowmeter will non measure out

SNR = the difference in the Indicate and the Noise, therefore 15 dB signal and -xv dB noise = SNR of thirty dB

In the case of having what looks like a stiff betoken but no flow, it could be that the noise value is besides high.

In which case check the wiring of the transducers for any loose strands, and consider earthing the screens of the transducers. Alternatively make a note of the higher up values and contact Technical Support for help.

WHY DOES THE FLOW METER Evidence Depression SIGNAL?

As described in question fourteen there must be at least -10 dB Signal and half-dozen dB of SNR in order for the menstruation meter to operate correctly. If these levels are not being achieved in that location are a number of things that can be done:

Check that the pipe is fully flooded with liquid. If the piping is empty or partially filled the catamenia meter is unlikely to display a proficient signal forcefulness value.
Ensure that sufficient coupling gel has been used when mounting the sensors. If air is between the sensor surface and that of the pipe, signal will be diminished.
Verify that the surface of the pipe is in skillful condition. If the piping is rusted, or covered in a flaking paint coat, and then a file, wire castor, emery paper, or a grinder should be used to provide smooth surface on which the sensors can exist installed.
Check the orientation of the sensors. If the pipe is horizontal then the sensors should exist mounted on the side of the pipage, never on the top or lesser. Please see the manual or the installation videos for more information (run across question no. i).
Cheque the alignment of the sensors. They should exist installed at the separation distance recommended in the Audible Sensor Positioning Assistant, and orientated with the arrows etched on the sensors aligned correctly.
Verify the wiring of the sensors for fixed installation units in club to be sure that they are continued correctly. The manual provides guidance on this.
Be sure that the liquid to be measured is suitable. If the solid or gaseous content of the liquid is too high, measurement will be difficult.
If signal is low reduce the number of passes being used to the minimum of ane in order to maximise the bachelor signal.

If all of this fails please contact Technical Support for more advice.

WHAT SHOULD Exist Washed IN Society TO MEASURE ON PAINTED PIPES?

If the pipe is painted, and the coating looks in skillful status, there is no need to remove the pigment in order to get a good measurement.

Paint should but be stripped from a pipe if information technology is flaking or in poor condition, where there is plainly multiple layers of pigment, or where measurement has been attempted merely poor bespeak is seen – see besides question 14.

WHY IS THE FLOW METER Now SHOWING Nix Period?

If the flow meter has been operating continuously every bit expected and so stops at that place are several things to bank check:

Firstly verify that the liquid is nevertheless flowing and that the pipe is full.
Check the sensor connections and that the sensors are still correctly mounted to the piping.
On the menstruum meter go to <System – Calibration – Zero – Rails> and brand certain that this is set to <OFF>.
On the flow meter cheque the damping in <Output – Display – Damping>. If the flow is intermittent ready the Damping to v s.
Check whether there has been a considerable change in temperature. If the catamenia meter is installed on a procedure where big variation in temperature is likely it might be worth considering using a PT 100 temperature input in guild to help the menstruum meter compensate for this.

Ultrasonic Flow Meters

WWEM The H2o, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring Exhibition & Workshops

Thorne & derrick with katronic

Pictured: T&D's Metering Sales Engineers (Terry McDonald, Anthony Mitchinson and Adam Rowe) post-obit a recent training day with Kirsty Hammond (Katronic Technical Sales Representative).

T&D are committed to growing product knowledge and expertise in order to support their customers in the optimum choice of meters, including ultrasonic flow type, for measurement applications.

Invitation – network, engage, promote

Thorne & Derrick are inviting you lot to join LinkedIn'due south fastest growing Discussion Grouping – Process & Hazardous Area Industries : Heat Tracing, Gas Detection, Fluid Control & Flow Measurement. News, projects, videos, promotions, whitepapers, jobs, webinars, press plus much more. Instrumentation, Mechanical, Heating, Metering, Process, Flow Control - Hazardous Areas

Thorne & Derrick

ABOUT U.s.

Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electric, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment. T&D provide an outstanding service to United kingdom and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and admittedly committed to providing a world-grade service.

T&D supply utilities, power, renewable free energy, construction, track, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-one thousand thousand pound stocks. Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.