Electricity and Control May 2024

SENSORS + SWITCHES : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Ultrasonic water meters for smart water management

In water management, as in all other industry sectors, rapid changes in technology often mean that what used to be good is no longer good enough. Kamstrup advises that now is the time to replace traditional mechanical wa ter meters with ultrasonic smart water meters and move towards the benefits of digitalisation. Measurement technology based on the ultrasonic principle is one of the most reliable technologies in stat ic metering. No moving parts ensure pinpoint accuracy without any maintenance efforts or costs. A Kamstrup solution anywhere in the world will consist of an ultrason ic meter and digital remote reading system, providing an effective and efficient smart metering solution. How it works The ultrasonic meter contains two transducers. Each transducer transmits and receives ultrasonic signals. When there is no flow, the signal transit times are identi cal. With water flow, the signals speed up in the direction of flow and slow down against the direction of flow. Sig nal transit times increase as flow velocity increases. The meters are designed to allow for flexible mount ing – horizontally, vertically or at an angle. They have the

The sensors are factory-set for specific media (LI21xx for oils, LI51xx for aqueous media), so they can be put into operation easily via plug and play. The teach button and IO-Link allow for the sensor to be adjusted to other media as easily. Another advantage is that the sensor de tects the temperature of the medium. This is transmitted via IO-Link and can be assigned to one of the two switch ing outputs which are defined at the measuring point. The LI level sensors are used in applications with coolants, cleaning agents and lubricants as well as hydraulic oils. Additionally, intelligent alarms in ultrasonic meters enable efficient detection of leaks, bursts and reverse flows, and can thus contribute to lowering the amount of nonrevenue water in distribution networks and preventing revenue loss. This also supports utilities in improving water management and conserving water resources. □ In an ultrasonic meter two transducers transmit and receive ultrasonic signals to monitor water flow. advantage of no moving parts and thus deliver high and stable measurement accuracy and they are less vulner able to the accumulation of dirt. These factors contribute to a low total cost of ownership, with the added benefit of connected technology which allows for smart metering. Key benefits Mechanical meters have long been the preferred choice in water management. But digitalisation introduces an increasing need for communication and connectivity – which offer the benefits of shared information and more agile and efficient management. Unlike mechanical meters, ultrasonic smart meters have no moving parts. This makes them more durable and ensures reliable accuracy throughout their lifetime. Ultrasonic meters provide a clear picture of network data and enable accurate billing. In contrast to mechanical meters, ultrasonic meters can also be read remotely, without any need for add-on devices. This makes data collection faster and allows for more efficient use of resources by avoiding misreading and the need for follow-ups. In this way, utilities can save time and money, which can be used to gather insightful data that empowers them to provide a better service to customers.

Ultrasonic water meters offer several benefits compared to traditional mechanical meters.

A smart alternative to float switches

The LI sensor provides for

reliable detection of leakages and monitoring of point levels.

With the LI level sensor from ifm, users can detect leak ages and point levels reliably on a continuous basis. Of fering a smart alternative to float switches, the capacitive measuring system has no moving parts. Malfunction or maintenance measures due to deposits on the mechan ical parts are thus eliminated. With WHG approval (the German Federal Water Act regulations for overflow pro tection), the LI level sensor also ensures users comply with the legal requirements in environments where sub stances that are hazardous to water are in use.

For more information visit: www.ifm.com

16 Electricity + Control MAY 2024