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Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meters

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters are used to measure flow rates and/or totalised flow of fluids and liquids in pipework. This type of meter has an interface for setting various parameters of the application. It will give a required sensor spacing and then a pair of sensors (ultrasonic transducers) are clamped onto the outside of the pipe. The meter will send signals upstream and downstream between the sensors to determine and indicate the rate of flow.

Ultrasonic flow meters are generally straightforward to operate and maintain, and can be used to measure the flow of most types of liquids and fluids. Ultrasonic flow meters are versatile and adaptable, and are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. At Zedflo, we stock both portable and fixed installation meters, and these can be used without the need to cut into the pipe.

Ultrasonic flow meter calibration services: pFlow ultrasonic flowmeter displaying a reading of 2146.30. Pipes and additional calibration equipment visible.

More about clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters

Ultrasonic flow meters are versatile and adaptable, and are suitable for use in a wide range of applications. At Zedflo, we stock both portable and fixed installation meters, and these can be used without the need to cut the pipe wall.

The models we range are predominately ‘transit time’ technology based, which are used to measure the flow of clean liquids (not nessesarily clear, so oils can be measured for example) They provide highly accurate measurements and can be used for both commissioning and maintenance.

Brands of clamp-on flow meters we sell

Zedflo stocks a range of clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters manufactured by Tokyo Keiki, Gentos / pFlow, and FlowT, we supply these to industries across Australia.

Do I need a ‘Transit time’, or ‘Doppler’ meter?

There are two main technologies for Ultrasonic flow meters.

  • Transit time is for measurement of clean and non aerated fluids
  • Doppler flow meters are for  measurement of dirty, solid bearing or aerated fluids.

Please be aware we currently only offer ‘transit time’ ultrasonic flow meters in our product range.

Transit time principle of measurement

Transit time flow meter utilizes two transducers that function as both ultrasonic transmitters and receivers. The transducers are clamped on the outside of a closed pipe at a specific distance from each other. The two transducers transmit and receive ultrasonic signals which travels firstly downstream and then upstream.

Because the sound wave travels faster downstream than upstream, there will be a time difference. When the flow is still, the time difference is zero. Therefore, if the transit time of both downstream and upstream is known, the flow meter can work out the time difference, then the flow velocity and flow volume via a formula which the flow meter self calculates in real time. Transit time flow meters work best on clean liquids (not clear so oil is ok) with little or no particles and entrained air bubbles. As a general rule, up to around 5% solids is usually the cut off but it will vary between applications.

Zedflo ‘Flow Calibration’ Service

Zedflo can perform calibration on most ultrasonic flow meters, our in house test flow rig has 33mm, 60mm, and 89mm OD pipes, in which we can use for calibration, so if you unit will measure on any of these pipe sizes we should be able to calibrate it here.

What is involved in instrument calibration?

Equipment calibration involves the scientific comparison of two instruments. One of these
instruments must have a proven or known correctness so that the other may achieve similar quality. It utilises this information to establish a relation for obtaining a measurement result from an indication. The main objective of this measurement or comparison is to achieve unmatched precision or accuracy. Your flow meter will calibrated against a NATA calibrated reference flow meter and adjusted if needed

Read more about our flow meter calibration service here

Talk to Zedflo about clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters Australia wide

Zedflo is a well-established specialist in the field of electrical instrumentation, and so we can advise you as to what sort of ultrasonic flow meter will best suit your needs. Call us on 08 9302 1266, or email us with your enquiry.

Information on some discontinued models

DMTFP Portable clamp on ultrasonic flow meter

Manufactured by Dynaflox, the DMTFP portable clamp on ultrasonic flow meter is ideal for measuring the flow of clean liquids, but can also be used for when there is a moderate amount of suspended solids.

While this model was discontinued, the OEM has planned a new model release to replace it with some updated technology. One to watch out for in the future.

UFP-20 Portable Transit Time Flow Meter

This portable flow meter by Tokyo Keiki can be for measuring flow rates, calibration and for checking meter accuracy. It is versatile and non-intrusive, and can be clamped to the outside of pipework ranging in size from 13 mm to 5000 mm.

This has now been discontinued and replaced with the new UW-30P model.

DMTFH Hand held Clamp on Ultrasonic Flow Meter

A versatile ultrasonic flow meter that can be used in a range of liquid applications, this is a compact and easy-to-use hand-held device. The clamp-on feature means that installation is quick and straightforward, and it can be used with most liquids.

This model has been discontinued and no longer available – you might consider the P117 or FT221 as the nearest budget alternatives.

DMDFP Portable Clamp-on Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Meter

The DMDFP portable clamp on Doppler ultrasonic flow meter can be used with most solid-bearing and aerated liquids, and can be configured for use with pipe sizes ranging from 15 mm to 4000 mm. It offers a wide range of flow measurement, and its compact design makes it easy to use.

The OEM discontinued this model and unfortunately no new model replaced it, so currently we do not have any doppler flow meters in our range to offer.

DMDFB Wall Mount Clamp-on Doppler Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Suitable for use with pipes ranging in size from 25 mm to 3050 mm, this ultrasonic flow meter made by Dynaflox can be used with solid-bearing and aerated liquids. It clamps to the outside of the pipework, and is suitable for both commissioning work and ongoing checks and maintenance.

The OEM discontinued this model and unfortunately no new model replaced it, so currently we do not have any doppler flow meters in our range to offer.

Comparison table

Model FT221 P117 P118i UW-30P D116 D118 UFW-100
Image FT221 FlowT Ultrasonic Flow Meter, transmitter and sensors Portable flow meter measuring flow rate in a pipe. The ultrasonic device displays a reading of 20.135. Cables connect the meter to sensors on the pipe. P118i Portable Transit Time Flow Meter: Flowmeter attached to a pipe, displaying flow rate. The device has a screen and keypad for operation. UW-30P ultrasonic flow meter on pipe D116 Wall Mount Transit Time Water Flow Meter. Close-up of a pFlow D116 transit time flow meter with a digital display and keypad for settings. D118-HD_front UFW-100 Fixed Transit Time Flow Meter. Close-up of the flow meter's electronic control box and sensors attached to a pipe, showing its installation.
Flow velocity range 0.03 to 12 m/s 0.01 to 6 m/s 0.01 to 12 m/s -30 to +30 m/s bidirectional 0.01 to 5 m/s 0.01 to 12 m/s -30 to +30 m/s bidirectional
Portable or fixed Portable Portable Portable Portable Fixed (wall mount type) Fixed (wall mount type) Fixed (wall mount type)
Waterproof? IP54 (splashes only) IP54 (splashes only) IP54 (splashes only) Yes, IP65 Yes, IP65 Yes, IP65 Yes, IP65
Power source Internal battery. ~16 hours run time Internal battery. ~6 to 10 hours run time Internal battery. ~10 hours run time Internal battery. ~12 hours run time Needs 10-36VDC power (not included) Needs 90-245VAC or 10-36VDC power (not included) Needs 110 / 230VAC or 24VDC optional
Pipe size range DN40 – 1200 (with standard transducers, special order sensors for as low as DN15) DN25 – 1200 (one set of transducers) [though it best suits 40mm+] DN25 – 6000 (one set of transducers covers full range) [though it best suits 40mm+] DN13 – 5000 (various sets of transducers) DN25 – 1200 (one set of transducers) [though it best suits 40mm+] DN25 – 5000 (one set of transducers) [though it best suits 40mm+]  DN25 – 600 (one set of transducers)
Transducer mounting method Magnetic mounting frames, chains included. We find the magnets to be pretty weak but with chains it mounts nicely and no tools needed Magnetic mounting frames or mounted to plastic pipes with straps, screwdriver required Magnetic mounting frames or mounted to plastic pipes with straps, basic tools required An excellent mounting frame attached w/ chains, no tools needed Mounted with straps only, screwdriver required Mounted with straps only, screwdriver required Mounting frames attached  by straps, screwdriver required
Accuracy spec  2% 1% 0.50%  1% to 2%  1%  0.5%  1% to 2.5%
Country of Manufacture China China China Japan China China Japan
Data logging? Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Stock/Lead time Typically stocked, nil stock lead time is ~4 weeks Typically stocked, nil stock lead time is ~4 weeks Special order, ~4 week lead time Special order, ~9 week lead time Typically stocked, nil stock lead time is ~4 weeks Typically stocked, nil stock lead time is ~4 weeks Special order, ~9 week lead time
*Price, From: 2950 +GST $3450 +GST $7750 +GST $13000 +GST (POA) $1900 +GST $3995 +GST $9608 +GST (POA)
Comments This is a new model we introduced as a budget option, some key features include: suitable to measure higher velocities (12m/s), good versatile sensors and frames, and quite good battery life. The interface is less user friendly or easy to operate compared with the P117, and the carry case is not as nice. But once you get used to using it measurements are generally versatile and it is priced very economically. Another advantage is this model can be special ordered with small size transducers/sensors, meaning use on very small pipes as low as DN15 can be achieved achieved. P117-HD is an evolution of the P117, it has a nicer display with clear HD text and cleartype fonts, and upgraded internal hardware. It’s got great magnetic mounting frames making use on metal pipes quick and easy, but a bit annoying to mount on plastic pipes with included straps, or for quick mounting cable ties work well. The user interface, ease of operation, quick response of scrolling through menus, clear and bright screen in a small handheld size and quality transport case make this a fair bit nicer to operate over say the FT221, however a key downside is that it has a max measurement velocity of only 6 m/s (comparatively quite low) This has some key advantages over the P117-HD including: Better internal electronics and technology which offer better response, higher accuracy, improved signal strength with a stronger wide band output frequency, so it can handle perhaps some situations where the say a cheaper model may struggle, it can work with a larger pipe size range (upto DN6000), suitable to measure higher velocities (12m/s), colour screen The most expensive model in our range but it’s a high quality unit from the Tokyo Keiki with some very nice features and functions, it’s almost certainly the pick of the bunch but is priced as such, it has a very wide bidirectional suitable flow range of +/- 30m/s, with various different sensor kits available to fine tune suitability for specific applications. It’s excels with very small pipes and very large pipes. This model you can choose both fluid and material as ‘other’ and manually input the sound speed, where the p117-HD model has some limitations in that regard. It’s also IP65, the only portable model to achieve this in our range The D116 is a very basic, trimmed down and simplified wall mount flow meter.  Be aware that you can only select the pipe material as very few materials, it’s not compatible with any liners, and it can only be used with water as the liquid with no ability to change the liquid to anything else. Also be aware it can only manage a relatively low flow velocity of 5m/s and does not datalog. It is however economically priced so often purchased many units at once for example to use in a large building/site to monitor many flow lines and send data to a BMS. D118-HD replaced old D118 and this is actually a pretty nice technology upgrade with no measurement spec downgrade like other models of this brand received. The HD model introduced an improved colour display and maintains it’s good tech spec. This model has a very good accuracy spec, quite a high flow velocity range (12m/s) a wide pipe size range, and lots of program customisation – it has lots of pre-programmed liquids and pipe materials, and ability to set them as ‘other’ and enter a custom sound speed. The most expensive wall mount model we offer but it is a high quality Japanese made unit and it does have a large flow velocity range (30 m/s) Note this has a 4 button interface on the unit itself, while you can configure it with these buttons, the best way to setup the unit is with included PC software. Just plug in the meter by USB to a laptop and the software has an installation ‘EZ wizard’ which is very easy to follow and get it running with a large clear interface. Then once running likely all you want to see on the unit itself is flow rate and totaliser anyway so it works well for that. This model has very fast response and time to stable readings compared with other models.

* note that prices shown here in this table may not be accurate or current, its for indicative purposes at the time of writing, please check on the product page for current price or enquire