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Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about our flow meters,
applications, installation, service, and support.
How do I choose the right flow meter for my application?
The right flow meter depends on the medium, pipe size, minimum/normal/maximum flow rate, operating pressure, temperature, required accuracy, connection, output signal, power supply and installation conditions. For difficult applications, fluid conductivity, viscosity, density, suspended solids concentration, gas composition or pressure drop may also be required. Send us your process conditions and we can recommend a suitable model.
What information is required to select a flow meter?
Please provide the measuring medium, pipe size, minimum/normal/maximum flow, operating pressure, operating temperature, connection type, required accuracy, output signal, power supply and any explosion-proof or special certification requirements.
Can you recommend a flow meter based on my process conditions?
Yes. Measflow can review your process conditions and recommend a suitable flow meter technology and model. For accurate selection, we evaluate the medium properties, flow range, pressure, temperature, pipe configuration and required measurement performance.
Which flow meter technology should I use for liquid, gas, steam or slurry?
Different media and operating conditions may require different technologies. Electromagnetic flow meters are commonly considered for conductive liquids; thermal mass flow meters for clean, dry gases; ultrasonic meters for suitable liquid applications and some non-intrusive installations; and other technologies such as turbine, vortex, Coriolis or positive displacement meters may be selected according to the application.
Which flow meter is suitable for wastewater?
Electromagnetic flow meters are commonly used for conductive wastewater. Clamp-on ultrasonic or Doppler technology may be considered when non-invasive installation is required or when the liquid contains suspended solids. Selection depends on conductivity, solids concentration, pipe material, pipe size, flow velocity and installation conditions.
Can an electromagnetic flow meter measure wastewater with suspended solids?
Yes, electromagnetic flow meters can measure many wastewater and slurry applications because there are no moving parts in the measuring tube. The liquid must meet the minimum conductivity requirement of the selected model, and the lining and electrode materials must be compatible with the medium.
Which flow meter is suitable for slurry applications?
For conductive slurries, electromagnetic flow meters are often considered because they have no moving parts in the flow path. The required lining and electrode materials should be selected according to the slurry composition, temperature, pressure and solids concentration.
Which flow meter is suitable for oil and lubricating oil?
For clean oil and lubricating-oil applications, gear, positive displacement and Coriolis flow meters may be considered. The appropriate technology depends on viscosity, flow range, pressure, temperature, required accuracy and the presence of any particles.
Can a flow meter measure fuel consumption in a diesel engine?
Yes, a suitable fuel flow meter can be used to monitor diesel consumption. If the engine has both supply and return lines, the actual consumption may need to be calculated from the difference between the supply and return flow rates. Pipe size, fuel type, flow range, pressure and temperature should be confirmed before selection.
Which flow meter is suitable for gas flow measurement?
Gas flow meter selection depends on gas type or composition, minimum/normal/maximum flow rate, inlet and outlet pressure, temperature, pipe size and required accuracy. Thermal mass, turbine, vortex, Coriolis, ultrasonic and differential-pressure technologies may be considered depending on the application.
Can you measure very small gas flows?
Yes. Measflow offers low-flow thermal mass flow meters and mass flow controllers for selected gases. Accurate selection requires the gas type, minimum and maximum flow, pressure, temperature and required accuracy.
Can a thermal mass flow meter measure wet gas?
Thermal mass flow meters are generally intended for clean and relatively dry gases. Condensation or liquid droplets may affect measurement performance. For wet biogas or other wet-gas applications, the gas composition and operating conditions should be reviewed before selection.
What is the difference between a mass flow meter and a mass flow controller?
A mass flow meter measures and indicates flow. A mass flow controller (MFC) measures the flow and automatically regulates it to a target setpoint using a control valve and control electronics.
Can a flow meter be combined with a modulating valve?
Yes. A flow meter can be combined with a separate modulating valve when automatic flow regulation is required. The flow meter measures the flow while the valve adjusts the flow according to the control signal. An integrated MFC can be used when both functions are required in one unit.
Why are minimum, normal and maximum flow rates important?
The minimum, normal and maximum flow rates help determine whether the selected flow meter can operate accurately across the required measurement range. They are especially important for low-flow applications and for applications where the operating point changes significantly.
What accuracy can your flow meters achieve?
Accuracy depends on the flow meter technology, model and operating conditions. Measflow offers models with different accuracy levels, including configurations around ±0.5% and ±1% for selected products. Actual performance also depends on flow velocity, installation conditions and fluid properties.
Can a flow meter measure very low flow rates?
Yes, selected models are designed for low-flow applications. The achievable range depends on the measurement technology and medium. Please provide the exact minimum and maximum flow rate, pressure, temperature and required accuracy for evaluation.
Why are inlet and outlet pressures important for gas flow measurement?
The inlet and outlet pressures determine the available differential pressure across the flow meter or control valve. This is particularly important for mass flow controllers and low-pressure gas applications, where insufficient differential pressure may affect the available operating range.
How do pressure and temperature affect flow meter selection?
Pressure and temperature affect sensor selection, material compatibility, pressure rating and, for some gas applications, the relationship between mass and volumetric flow. The operating and maximum pressure and temperature should therefore be provided during selection.
What pipe size can your flow meters measure?
Measflow offers different flow meter series covering small process lines through large pipelines. Depending on the product family, customized configurations can cover a broad range of pipe sizes. Please provide the actual DN or outside diameter for model selection.
Can you provide flow meters for large-diameter pipelines?
Yes. Selected electromagnetic and ultrasonic flow meter series can be configured for large pipe sizes, with customization available for certain applications. Please provide the pipe size, material, pressure rating and flow range.
What pipe information is required for clamp-on flow meter selection?
For clamp-on ultrasonic applications, please provide the pipe outside diameter or DN, wall thickness, pipe material, internal lining if applicable, and fluid information. These parameters are used to determine the transducer configuration and installation method.
Which process connections are available?
Depending on the product series, available process connections may include flanged, threaded, sanitary and customized connections. The required standard, size and pressure rating should be specified in the RFQ.
How should a flow meter be installed?
Installation requirements depend on the flow meter technology. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended orientation, straight-pipe requirements, grounding or signal-cable arrangement, and sensor mounting method. For clamp-on ultrasonic meters, correct transducer spacing and contact with the pipe surface are particularly important.
Do your flow meters support 4–20 mA output?
Many Measflow flow meter models support 4–20 mA output. The exact signal configuration depends on the model and application requirements.
Do your flow meters support RS485 Modbus RTU?
Many digital models support RS485 with Modbus RTU. RS485 is the physical communication interface, while Modbus RTU is the communication protocol used over that interface.
Can the flow meter communicate with a PLC?
Yes. Depending on the model, PLC integration can be achieved through 4–20 mA, pulse output, RS485 Modbus RTU or other supported interfaces. Please provide the PLC model or required communication protocol when requesting a quotation.
Can I connect the flow meter directly to a laptop?
For models with digital communication, a laptop can usually connect through the appropriate interface. For RS485 Modbus RTU devices, a USB-to-RS485 converter may be required.
Can your flow meters provide pulse output?
Selected models provide pulse output for totalized flow or other configurable functions. Please specify the required pulse characteristics and receiving device when requesting a quotation.
Do your flow meters have an LCD display?
Many Measflow digital flow meters are available with integrated displays. Depending on the model, the display can show instantaneous flow, totalized flow and other process variables.
Can the flow meter display instantaneous and total flow?
Yes, many digital flow meter models can display instantaneous flow rate and accumulated total flow. The exact functions depend on the selected model.
Can the flow meter store measurement data?
Selected models support data logging. Storage capacity, logging interval, export method and software functions depend on the model and configuration.
Can measurement data be transferred to a computer?
For models with compatible communication and software support, measurement or configuration data can be transferred to a computer. The available software functions depend on the product model.
Do you provide a calibration certificate?
Yes. Depending on the product and order requirements, Measflow can provide a manufacturer’s calibration report or certificate. Calibration records can be associated with the instrument serial number.
What certifications are available for your flow meters?
Certification and compliance documentation vary by product model. Depending on the model, available documentation may include CE, explosion-proof certification, type approval and calibration-related documentation. Please specify any mandatory certification required by your project.
Do you offer explosion-proof flow meters?
Yes. Selected Measflow products are available in explosion-proof configurations for hazardous-area applications. The applicable protection method and certification depend on the product model.
What is the difference between Ex protection types?
Different Ex protection methods are designed for different hazardous-area conditions and equipment constructions. The correct protection type must be selected according to the area’s classification and the applicable certification requirements.
Do you provide OEM flow meters?
Yes. Measflow supports OEM and customized flow measurement projects. Depending on the project, customization can include labels, nameplates, languages, wiring, communication interfaces and selected product configurations.
Can you customize the connection, material or output?
For selected product series, customization can include process connections, wetted materials, pipe sizes, output signals, communication protocols, power supply and display configuration. Feasibility should be confirmed for the specific model.
Can your engineering team review customer specifications?
Yes. You can send us a technical specification, RFQ, drawing or existing meter data sheet. Our engineering team can review the requirements and identify the key parameters needed for model selection.
Can you support small quantities and large project orders?
Yes. We can evaluate sample, pilot, replacement, OEM and project orders. Pricing and lead time depend on quantity, configuration, customization and certification requirements.
What information should I provide for a quick flow meter quotation?
For a fast quotation, please send: medium, pipe size, minimum/normal/maximum flow, pressure, temperature, connection, output, power supply, accuracy, explosion-proof requirement, quantity and destination country.
What is the typical lead time for flow meters?
Lead time depends on the model, quantity, customization, calibration and certification requirements. Standard configurations can generally be supplied faster than highly customized products. The estimated lead time will be confirmed in the quotation.
Do you offer FOB or CIF pricing?
Yes. Depending on the project and destination, quotations can be prepared on terms such as FOB or CIF. Please specify the destination port or required delivery terms.
What information is needed for troubleshooting a flow meter?
Please provide the model, serial number, application medium, flow range, pressure, temperature, installation conditions, displayed values, output signals and any available photos, test records or error messages. This information helps our technical team evaluate the issue.
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