Choosing the ideal range for an electromagnetic flow meter lies not in the manufacturer's specifications but in the details of your unique application. When cost, accuracy, and longevity are considered, electromagnetic flow meter are often referred to as electromagnetic flow meter. Here are some tips to help ensure that a magnetic flow meter is the right choice.

It is important to note that all electromagnetic flow meter are only suitable for conductive liquids, and the flow of compressible fluids (gases) cannot be measured using electromagnetic flow meter.

1. What is your budget?

How much have you allocated in your organization's budget? Generally, when choosing a flow meter, the higher the accuracy, the higher the cost. Therefore, when considering electromagnetic flow meters, cost and accuracy are inseparable.

Reliable electromagnetic flow meter have a proven ability to provide high accuracy at a very reasonable cost. Return on investment (ROI) is typically less than six months, and the accuracy achieved can be as high as 0.25% to 0.5% of traffic. This flow meter is considered one of the best options for flow measurement and can be used in a wide range of industrial and municipal applications.

The main advantage of electromagnetic flow meters is that they have no moving parts. As a result, maintenance is usually minimal. Expected service life is 30 years. Depending on your fluid medium or water quality, the electrode may need to be cleaned regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Look at different electromagnetic flow meters and be sure to compare installation and maintenance costs. The next step is to amortize the cost of the flow meter over its useful life.

2. What are the application requirements?

Documenting and reviewing application requirements includes identification of fluid media, media temperature, flow range and pressure.

Depending on whether the fluid medium is drinking water or wastewater, the type of electromagnetic flow meter best suited for the application will differ. This depends on the electrode material and the sensor lining or coating in contact with the medium. Knowing the medium you want to measure is only part of understanding the entire application. Some electromagnetic flow meters are affected by fluid temperature and operating pressure. Magnetic flow meters used in 150 psi applications may not be suitable for 300 psi applications. Most electromagnetic flow meter specification sheets indicate the specific pressure and temperature ratings of the flow meter in question. Make sure the instrument you select has specifications that meet the needs of your application.

What are the characteristics of the fluid being measured? In this regard, things to consider include:

Is the fluid being measured conductive? If the fluid does not conduct electricity, the electromagnetic flow meter will not work.

What is your cord length? This will determine the cost of the meter.

Do you have enough space to install the meter? Typically, electromagnetic flow meter have minimal upstream and downstream straight-line operating requirements in order to accurately measure fluid flow. Flow disruptors must also be considered - regulating valves, chemical injection points, and anything else that will impair the fluid flow before it can be measured by the electromagnetic flow meter.

What is the fluid being measured? Is the fluid being tested corrosive? Is the fluid being measured clean water or wastewater? These are relevant details when evaluating the type of bushing in an electromagnetic flow meter. Common liners available for electromagnetic flow meters today are ebonite, neoprene, PTFE, PTFE, and ceramic. However, these types of liners do run the risk of delamination. It is recommended to use electromagnetic flow meter with sintered liners to avoid delamination problems altogether.

3. How important are accuracy and range?

How accurate does your flow measurement need to be? Typically, electromagnetic flow meter are highly accurate flow meter. The accuracy of an electromagnetic flow meter is based on the percentage of reading accuracy. Most of them offer +/- 0.5% accuracy without losing a head. Whether you use a full-bore magnetometer or a full-profile insertion magnetometer, make sure the meter you choose can deliver exactly the accuracy you need.

What does read accuracy percentage mean? How accurately the meter can measure the indicated flow rate at that flow rate.

An example of this accuracy statement is as follows:

If a meter's reading accuracy percentage is described as 0.5% at 100 GPM, that means that when the meter reports flow as 100 GPM, it may actually be from 99.5 GPM (-0.5%) to 100.5 GPM (+0.5%).

In addition, when selecting an electromagnetic flow meter, the range or range ratio must be considered. Turndown is the flow range of the meter, from the highest flow rate that can be accurately measured to the lowest flow rate that can be accurately measured, all within a percentage of the meter's reading accuracy specification. The typical range ratio of electromagnetic flow meter is 160:1.

Example of turning down the range: If the maximum flow rate is 100 GPM, this magnetic flow meter can read down to 0.625 GPM and maintain specification accuracy of +/- 0.5% of the flow rate.

4. What about the upstream and downstream pipelines?

If the flow meter is placed too close to a pump, valve elbow, or other obstruction, erratic or irregular flow can affect performance. Magnetic flow meter typically require minimal upstream and downstream straight piping. These requirements may depend on whether the meter is part of a new plumbing project, a renovation, or a line expansion. Installation requirements also vary depending on whether a full-bore magnetometer or a full-contour inserter is selected. Almost all major electromagnetic flow meter technologies require manufacturer-specified straight pipe diameters upstream and downstream of the flow meter to ensure a stable flow curve. Failure to meet the manufacturer's installation requirements for upstream and downstream straight sections often results in reduced accuracy or inconsistent performance.

Always check the magnetic flow meter specification sheet to verify upstream and downstream straight-line operation requirements. Most manufacturers provide these requirements. Make sure the meter you choose is appropriate for the target location.

5. What makes installation easy?

The ease of installing an electromagnetic flow meter depends largely on the pipe size, the type of meter selected, and the location of your application.

For smaller line sizes (12 inches and below), a full-bore magnetic flow meter may be the best choice. For larger production lines, the heavier weight of full-bore flow meters often requires the use of a crane, as well as the necessary additional personnel, work space, and installation time. On the other hand, full-size plug-in meters can provide an economical exception to expensive installations on larger line sizes. While some meters require the installer to close off the pipe to install the flange to accept a traditional full-bore flow meter, full-contour insert meters can be installed through a hot water tap under pressure, eliminating the need to take the line out of service.

Doweston is good at solving problemsTraffic measurement problems you encounter, please contact us!

TEL:+1 (314) 325-4420

Let DOWESTON sales engineers configure an electromagnetic flow meter for you
Please send me a quote:
Quotation FTE-1600 series electromagnetic flow meter price  Quotation FTE Series Insertion Electromagnetic Flow meter
Detailed product documentation and more
Product Selection	ExpertAnswers	New customer discount5%
	What about the price? Get My Quote Now