Residential/small commercial water meters-what to look for 1

[UtahWater]

I am to specify new meters for a municipal client that currently does not have any meters in their system. They, like every client, have a limited budget, but want the best product they can get, and I am inexperienced when it comes to residential meters. They want a radio frequency AMR system, too. Two questions: what should I be looking for in the type of meter (disc, jet, displacement, etc.) for accuracy and longevity and reliability; what should I be looking for in the RF AMR system (frequency, power, battery life, connection to register, etc.?) I will continue to research these things on my own, but any insight that some of you with more experience might offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[waterworker]

In a very general sense there are two basic types of positive displacement water meters ( roughly 5/8 " to 2" chamber size )1) Nutating Disc, and 2)Oscillating piston. When sizing the water meter , the first # refers to chamber size, the second # to end fitting size. I.E ' 5/8 x 3/4' has a 5/8 " measuring chamber and 3/4" end fittings .

A very general rule of thumb is to size the measuring chamber not larger than one size less than the service: 3/4 service means not more than 5/8 chamber size, 1 inch service means not more than 3/4 chamber size, 2 inch service means 1 and 1/2 " chamber size.

A calcualtion based on fixture units is more accurate-usually done on larger than 3/4 chamber sized loads. Most drawings on larger buildings tend to oversize the meter-overly large chamber will cause revenue loss on low flows ( 5/8 low flow is 1/4 gallon per minute, a 2 " PD meter begins to accurately measure at 2USGM , 1 1/2" at minimal flow 1 gpm, a fixture unit calculation will increase utility revenue .
1) Nutating disc advantages: a) slightly lower head loss b) more resistant to water hammer c) more resistant to chamber clogging d) sometimes cheaper

2) Oscillating piston advantages: a) can be installed vertically or horizontially-nutating disc will prematurely wear/seize disc if instaled vertically b) minor accuracy increase at low flows .

In my area, out of the three " big" manufacturers , Neptune, Invynsens ( sensus) and ABB , Neptune alleges to be the only one whose brass meets some future proposed Lead in-water rule -don't know about this.

Suppliers link with some flow characteristics , AMR links in there somewhere:

http://www.awwa.org/buyersguide/buy.cfm?cat=Meter Reading Systems&type=2

Example: Kent/ ABB ( for PD flow charts, not that I say one supplier is better or worse):

http://www.jerman.com/kmmeters.html

 

[DeltaFr]

May be are you need a meter box for your customer. I work for a french manufacturer of water adduction products and I can propose to you a water meter box for In-line meter 110mm lengh.
You can contact me to this adress : delta80@club-internet.fr