Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flow meter used for?
A flow meter measures the rate of speed of a liquid or gas through a pipe or channel by reading input from a variety of available flow rate instruments. Unlike water meters on a home or business, flow meters are generally used in applications to measure the flow of liquid through a larger pipe or open channel. By considering the size of the pipe or channel, the volume of liquid and the flow rate, you can determine how much liquid or gas is flowing through a given point, in a given amount of time. The Teledyne ISCO Signature flowmeter, for example, is designed for open channel flow monitoring applications.
What is the most common flow meter?
A differential pressure flow meter is the most common. They are a form of mechanical flow meters that measure pressure flow across a pipe restriction. While fairly accurate, they have limitations. For example, they aren’t applicable to open channel applications and in many instances are not as accurate as other available methods.
What is the difference between a flow meter and a flow gauge?
Flow meters measure the flow rate in a pipe or open channel. It can be used for quality control, rules and regulations compliance, and billing purposes. A flow gauge measures the flow pressure in a pipe. A flow gauge monitors the water pressure into your house. A water meter determines how much water you use each month.
