Explore water meters
2025-11-25
Every drop of water is vital, but without accurate metering, cities lose billions of dollars annually due to unrecoverable water. Let's get to know the unsung hero: the water meter. Today's smart water meter systems are far more than simple counting devices; they can prevent floods, detect leaks before disasters strike, and reduce municipal water consumption by 37%.
Types
1. By Measurement Principle
Water meters are divided into velocity-type water meters and volumetric water meters.
(1) Velocity-type water meter: Installed in a closed pipe, it consists of a single moving element, and its power velocity is directly derived from the velocity of the water flow.
Typical velocity-type water meters include rotary vane water meters and screw vane water meters. Rotary vane water meters are further divided into single-jet water meters and multi-jet water meters.
(2) Volumetric water meter: Installed in a pipe, it consists of several chambers of known volume that are successively filled and discharged with fluid, and a mechanism driven by the fluid; also known as a quantitative discharge water meter.
2. By Metering Class
Metering class reflects the working flow range of the water meter, especially its metering performance at low flow rates. Generally, they are divided into Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D meters, according to an order from low to high, with their metering performance meeting the corresponding requirements of the national standards for metering classes A, B, C, and D, respectively. After the release of the new standard, the classification method for metering grades has become quite complex, mainly determined by parameters such as flow rate and range ratio. Simply put, the larger the range, the higher the metering grade.
3. Classification by Nominal Diameter:
Water meters are divided into large-diameter and small-diameter meters.
Water meters with a nominal diameter of 50mm or less are generally called small-diameter water meters, while those with a nominal diameter of more than 50mm are called large-diameter water meters. These two types of water meters are sometimes referred to as domestic water meters and industrial water meters. This classification can also be distinguished by the connection method of the water meter casing: water meters with a nominal diameter of 50mm or less use threaded connections, while those with a nominal diameter of 50mm or more use flange connections. However, some special types of water meters may have a 40mm diameter casing connected by a flange.
4. Classification by Installation Direction:
Velocity-type water meters can be divided into horizontally installed water meters and vertically installed water meters.
Water meters are generally classified by installation direction into horizontally installed water meters and vertically installed water meters (also known as vertical meters). Vertical water meters are those installed with the flow direction parallel or perpendicular to a horizontal plane. On the meter's scale, "H" represents horizontal installation and "V" represents vertical installation.
Volume-type water meters can be installed in any position without affecting accuracy.
5. Classified by pressure:
Water meters are divided into ordinary water meters and high-pressure water meters.
In China, the nominal pressure of ordinary water meters is generally 1 MPa. High-pressure water meters are various types of water meters with a maximum operating pressure exceeding 1 MPa, mainly used for measuring underground water injection in oil fields and other industrial water flows through pipelines.
Smart Module Capabilities
| Function | Hardware Specs | Real-World Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Leak Detection | DSP flow analysis + SVM algorithms | Saved Rotterdam €4.2M/year on pipe repairs |
| Tamper Evidence | 3-axis accelerometer (4mg resolution) | Reduced Mexico City theft by 61% |
| Long-Range Comms | 868 MHz RF mesh (15km urban range) | Connect rural hubs without repeaters |
| Power Management | Dual-source (Lithium + kinetic turbine) | 20-year lifespan with daily data bursts |
Key features superior to traditional systems:
1. Real-time leak detection: Algorithms track flow anomalies as low as 0.05 gallons/hour, identifying pipe cracks before basements flood.
2. Pressure optimization: 60 Hz sensors map hydraulic stress, preventing 78% of major bursts during freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Tiered billing: Automatically calculates complex billing structures without manual reading.
4. Contamination alarm: Abnormal pH/turbidity changes trigger shutdown within 12 seconds.
