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OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART IN THE DOMAIN OF

DOMESTIC WATER METERS PART I STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS O
SCURTĂ TRECERE ÎN REVISTĂ A SITUAŢEI TEHNICE ACTUALE ÎN ....

Conference Paper · April 2011

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 OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ART IN THE
DOMAIN OF DOMESTIC WATER METERS
PART I STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

Installations for Buildings and Ambiental Comfort Conference XX- edition

Timisoara - ROMANIA 7-8 April 2011,pp, 44-62

By, Dr. Phys. Monica Sabina Crainic,

S.C. AEM S.A., Research Department,
26 Calea Buziaşului 300693 Timişoara, Romania Tel: 40-256-222200, Fax: 40-256-490928,
E-mail: sales@aem.ro, or crainicmonicasabina@yahoo.com

Abstract
Water is essential to life, but a limited, vulnerable, and regenerable natural resource. For this motive she must
be protected and managed economically. Proper management requires, among other things, carrying out
measurements in order to control water consumption. Submetering of residential water consumption and
revenue collection is traditionally accomplished using single and multijet water meters. In this paper we present
the current state of the art and latest news in the domain of residential water meters.

Key words: water meters, public utilities, submetering

O SCURTĂ TRECERE ÎN REVISTĂ A SITUAŢEI TEHNICE ACTUALE

ÎN DOMENIUL CONTORIZĂRII CONSUMULUI CASNIC DE APĂ
PARTEA I ASPECTE CONSTRUCTIVE
Rezumat.
Apa deşi este esenţială pentru viaţă este totodată şi o resursă naturală limitată, vulnerabilă şi regenerabilă. Din
acest motiv consumul de apă trebuie să fie monitorizat in mod corespunzător, iar rezervele de apă conservate şi
pentru generaţiile viitoare. Monitorizarea consumului casnic de apă potabilă se realizează in mod traditional cu
ajutorul contoarelorde apă mono şi multije. În acest articol vom prezenta pe scurt situaţia din punct de vedere
tehnic a contorizării consumului casnicde apă potabilă.

Cuvinte cheie:contoare de apă, serviciile de utilitate publică,subcontorizare

Introduction

Everyone understands that water is essential to life. But many are only just now
beginning to grasp how essential it is to everything in life – food, energy, transportation,
nature, leisure, identity, culture, social norms
Less than 3% of the world’s water is fresh – the rest is seawater and undrinkable. Of
this 3% over 2.5% is frozen, locked up in Antarctica the Arctic and glaciers, and not available
to man. Thus humanity must rely on this 0.5% for all of man’s and ecosystem’s freshwater
needs [1-2] (see fig. 1).
 Fig. 1 Distribution of earth’s water [1]

Pressures on water resources are increasing mainly as a result of human activity –

namely urbanization, population growth, increased living standards, growing competition for
water, and pollution. These are aggravated by climate change and variations in natural
conditions. . For this motive fresh water resources must be protected and managed
economically. Proper management requires, among other things, carrying out measurements
in order to control water consumption. Submetering of residential water consumption and
revenue collection is traditionally accomplished using single and multijet water meters. In this
paper we provide an overview of current state of the art and latest news in the domain of
residential water meters.

Type of domestic water meters

A water meter is a device used to measure the volume of water usage. There are
several types of water meter in common use. Selection is based on different flow
measurement methods, the type of end user, the required flow rates, and accuracy
requirements. Measuring water consumption today is done mainly with velocity water meter.
A velocity-type meter measures the velocity of flow through a meter of a known
internal capacity. The speed of the flow can then be converted into volume of flow for usage.
There are several types of meters that measure water flow velocity to determine totality usage.
 Turbine water meters1 are indirect volumetric totalizers in which the flow stream
causes a vane rotor to revolve. The number of rotor revolutions is proportional to the total
flow and the frequency of the revolutions to the flowrate. The various designs are
differentiated by the direction of the inflow and by the method utilized to measure the signal.
Most of domestic water meters are usually of the type rotary vane meter. The flow
entry is tangential and causes the wheel to revolve in the rotary vane meter. A gear train is
utilized to transmit the rotations of the wheel axle to the totalizer which, in wetted designs, is
located in the fluid. Rotary vane meters are available as single jet (Fig. 2a) and as multijet
designs (Fig. 2 b).

(a) (b)

Fig. 2 Rotary vane meters (a) single jet and (b) multijet [4 a]
Seals separate the indicator area from the measurement area and transmit the rotation
over a magnetic coupling. Rotary meters are used as domestic water meters, and are also used
in hot water systems as the volume metering element for smaller heat quantity totalizers

Rotary vane meter improvement [3-4]

The typical rotary vane meter consists of many parts however the five most basic are
(see fig: 3a and fig 3b)
 main case or housing
 measuring chamber or impeller chamber
 impeller wheel
 magnetic drive
 the counter (register or totalizer)
a. Main case or housing
The main case is the housing containing all of the other parts. All main cases
incorporate externally threaded ends and wrench pads to aid installation. The units are
typically made of cast bronze of 81% copper composition or EnviroBrass® II, 87% copper,
2
low lead bronze [4b], which is extremely rust-resistant, brass, cast iron or plastic (Nylon
[4c], ABS[4c], or high quality materials fiberglass reinforced polymerization amine [4d])
b. Measuring chamber
The measuring chamber housing and measurement element are constructed of a
durable synthetic polymer and can easily be removed from the main case without removal of
the meter from the line. The chamber housing is constructed in two parts to allow access to
the impeller. Measurement surfaces are not wear surfaces, providing sustained accuracy
despite the presence of entrained solids in the water. A long-life, sapphire bearing serves as a
wear surface, with balanced water flows minimizing bearing wear.
c. Impeller wheel or turbine
An impeller wheel or spinner (see fig. 4) is a rotating component usually made of
thermoplastic which is subject to a uniform impingement of jets around its circumference,
allowing a particularly low starting and therefore a wide measurement range.
Since the impeller wheel is not subject to any asymmetrical loadings, wear is kept to a
minimum and the intervals between metrological inspections can be extended
In water meter, impeller wheel is disposed in measuring chamber, which provides a
leak tight connection with water inlet and outlet pipes. The impeller wheel is mounted on an
axis of rotation substantially centered on the chamber. The water entering via the inlet tube of
the measuring chamber drives the impeller wheel in rotation and then leaves via the outlet
tube of the measuring chamber. The inclination of the spinner blades is selected so as to
reduce the opposing hydraulic torque. The number of spinner blades is selected as a function
of the chamber so as to ensure that there is always at least one driving blade.
Fig. 3 (a) Components of single-jet water meter [4 e]
Fig. 3 (b) Components of multijet water meter [4 e]
Optimizing the shape and the arrangement of the blades [5] enables the action of water
on each blade to be increased and thus enables the driving torque on the axis of the spinner to
be increased, the purpose of the improvement being to ensure the speed of rotation of the
spinner remains proportional to flow rate over a wider range of flow rates.
 (a) (b)

Fig. 4 Impeller wheel (a) classical [4 a], (b) semiparabolic [4f]

Since the impeller is not subject to any asymmetrical loadings, wear is kept to a
minimum and the intervals between metrological inspections can be extended
d. Magnetic drive
The most widespread construction of water meters is the dry dial meter. It is
characterized by the separation of the counter gear and counter from flowing water, which
forces the turbine to work. To transfer the drive from the turbine placed in the ―wet‖ chamber
of the meter to the counter, placed in the ―dry‖ chamber is used a magnetic coupling. For this
motive to improve and protect dry-dial water meters from losing its measuring capability we
must to use passive magnetic field indicators to detect the action of a strong magnetic field
primarily coming from neodymium magnets. These indicators are especially useful for water
meters already in use in networks (external installation), but in the case of new water meters,
the passive magnetic field indicators can, by design and installed inside the device [6].
The magnetic coupling (see fig. 5) has two magnets (1, 2) which rotate on either sides
of a dividing wall between the measuring part and the analysis and display part. For new
water meters, in the passive magnetic field indicators [7-8], the magnets of magnetic coupling
are surrounded by magnet protective rings (3). The magnets are covered by a closing disc (4,
5) on the sides applied to the respective counter-coupling parts. Preferably, the protective ring
surrounds the stepped cover wall (6) of the measuring part (7) and the stepped base wall (8) of
the counter mechanism (9). Two protective rings may be provided on both sides of the same
dividing wall
Fig. 5 Passive magnetic field indicators for new water meters (a) scheme [7], (b) device for
new water meters [4 h]

In the case of already-installed water meter, the simple solution seems to be not to
eliminate the negative influence of strong magnetic fields, by a magnetic shield, but their
permanent detection with aid of a passive magnetic field indicator (see fig. 6). A passive
magnetic field indicator uses a magnetic domain pattern method. By affecting measuring
devices with a strong magnetic field, it is possible to observe changes in the domain pattern of
the magnetic field indicator [6, 10].
One can obtain the domain structure of the indicator through magnetization in a multi-
pole circuit. This structure is visible by using a special magnetic film reader, which polarizes
in a magnetic field according to Bitter patterns [9]
The indicator, having a hermetic, transparent casing, is in the form of a sticker, which
can be easily installed on measuring devices. When a magnetic field of the appropriate
strength of about 3.52 kOe (280 kA/m)—e.g., coming from a neodymium magnet—affects
the indicator, then the multi-domain structures (geometric figures) of the indicator are re-
magnetized—the light green contours of the magnetic geometric figures become irreversibly
blurred or the figures disappear completely (see fig 6 b).
Fig. 6 Magnetic field indicator MFI-3 (a) Before magnetic field action—multi-domain
structure visible in form of geometric figures (b) After magnetic field action with strength
over 3.52 kOe (280 kA/m); single-domain structure—lack of geometric figures [6]

e. The counter (register or totalizer)

The large counter rollers for the m³-display make reading the numbers much easier.
Thanks to standard 5 or 8 roller counter, a correct readout for consumption calculation is
child’s play (see fig. 7). The pointers even make it possible to read the decimal places, if need
be. The star wheel shows the movement of the turbine, even at the lowest of flowrates and
can, for example, be used to detect leakages.
In the case of conventional meters there is always the risk of the shaft sagging during
longer periods of disuse. To prevent this, we use especially strong roller axles. There are
various types of counters [4j, 4l- 4n] (see fig. 7):
1. Wet dial counter
Wet dial model are characterized by the fact that the impeller shaft is connected
directly with the counter. The counter’s rollers and pointers are surrounded by the measuring
fluid. The advantage here is that the power transmission from the measuring chamber takes
place directly in the counter and thus, no friction losses occur. The result is a very low starting
flow. In contrast to dry dial meters, this meter model cannot be influenced magnetically and
metallic pollution cannot deposit itself on the impeller shaft or the coupling. This type of
water meters are recommended for all potable water qualities where pollution of the counter
through fine particles can be ruled out as far as possible.
2. Roller protect counter
With the model roller protect we refer to a special type of counter which is a further
development of the classic wet dial meter. Under conditions, over the years, fine deposits may
set themselves on the counter rollers and the entire dial area of the meters, despite the
encapsulated rollers in the counters. At worst, it becomes extremely difficult to read the
meters. This can be avoided with the hermetically encapsulated counter developed by
different companies. The digit rollers are located in their own chamber, which is filled with a
special protective fluid. No water and thus, no fine particles can enter the dial area. This way,
the meter can be read even in polluted or highly ferrous water and thus, the meter is often
referred to as a ―semi-dry dial‖. This type meters are the ideal alternative in all situations
where readings were often no longer possible. They are recommended for all potable water
qualities where the danger of deposits due to rust or other fine particles exists or where the
meter will remain in use much longer than the approved calibration period.
3. Dry dial counter
With this meter, only the turbine functions in the wet chamber. The counter with the
digit rollers is hermetically encapsulated and does not come into contact with the measuring
fluid. Both parts of the measuring insert are connected by way of a state-of-the-art magnetic
coupling. Malfunctions due to polluted water don't affect the encapsulated, evacuated and
rotating counter. This type of water meters are recommended for cold water in places where
water quality varies. They can be used up to an operating temperature of 30°C and are safe up
to 50°C. The hot water meters can be used up to an operating temperature of 90°C with a
safety margin of up to 120°C.
4. Electronic counter
The rotating movement of the impeller is transferred by a modulator disc for example
to the sensor system of the electronic counter module. A built-in microprocessor evaluates the
sensor signals produced and counts the number of impeller revolutions, detects the direction
of rotation and measures the time for each revolution. The microprocessor then calculates the
volume flowing through the meter from these parameters and adds up the meter reading. The
current flow rate is calculated from the time for one impeller rotation. The module of
electronic counter can be read out for via M-Bus, L-Bus or optical interface.
 (a)

(b)

(c)

Fig. 7 The counter (a) wet dial, (b) roller protect (c) dry dial [4i, 4j, 4a]
Fig. 8 Electronic counter [4l-4n]
The electronic display unit houses the electronics and the eight-digit LCD [4l-4n]. The
operating voltage of DC 3 V is supplied by a lithium battery. Below the display, there may be
a button [4n] for advancing the display. The electronic display unit on the flow measuring
section can be swiveled through 270° and tilted by 90 [4n].
The totalizer (fig. 8) can be placed in horizontal position, frontal position or in
inclinated position at 45 for easy reading in case of installation in narrow places

(a) [4h] (b) [4k]

 (c) [4h]

Fig. 9 The totalizer placed in (a) horizontal, (b) frontal or (c) in inclinated position at 45 [4]

Variants of water meters for various applications [4b, 4i, 4l, 4o-4p]

The consequent development of the approved apartment water meter facilitates a

modular structure for more flexible retrofit possibilities, of course also with future-oriented
radio measuring. All apartment water meters can be extended by attachable function modules
with the desired characteristics. There, all modules are universally applicable in every meter
of the new type series, flush-mounting, surface mounted or retrofit meter. The amplification
can take place at any desired time, even during the running calibration period

a. Flush-mounted and fitting meters [4i, 4o-4p]

Flush-mounted meters or capsule meters (see fig. 10) are an alternative to the classic
single-jet meter. They are built into a flush-mounted body which remains in the piping, even
after periodical replacements, which makes periodical replacement inexpensive and easy.
Fittings meters can be used when a meter must be retrofitted onto an existing tap
connection. Fittings meters are equipped with a special type of capsule meter that can be
replaced comfortably and quickly during calibration replacement.
b. Valve meter type MC [4o-4p]
The valve meter type MC was especially developed for retroactive installation in
existing flush-mounted stop valves 1/2", 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4". The modern, functional design
blends in harmoniously in your bathroom, WC or kitchen. This meter solution is characterized
by a high level of reliability due to its technical conception:
 The installation is very simple: after dismantling the top part of the valve, the new valve
meter is screwed into the existing valve housing. Walls and tiles aren’t damaged.
 Even deeper lying stop valves aren’t a problem: the meter’s connector can be extended
by up to three times 22 mm.
 Thanks to the integrated valve, the water supply in individual apartments can also be cut
off after installation.
 Only the meter’s measuring capsule must be replaced in a few small steps after the
calibration validity has expired.
c. Bath tub meter type MC [4o-4q]
Bath meter can be easily installed between the S-connector and the mixer. For
unilateral installation the fitting is adjusted with a special adapter. Only the meter’s measuring
capsule must be replaced after the calibration validity has expired
d. Washstand water meter [4o-4p]
Washstand water meter is installed on existing angle valves. Two versions are available for
the line connection:
 version A with a flexible metal hose and
 version B with an adapter and a compression fitting for connection to existing copper
lines with a diameter of 10 mm.
 (a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(g) (h) (i)

Fig. 10 Variants of water meters for various applications (a) flush-mounted meters (b) valve
meter type MC, (c) bath tub meter type MC (d) washstand water meter, (e) tap water meter
(f) gardens water meters, (g) flexible axis meter (FAM)
e. Tap water meter [4o-4p]
Tap meter can be fixed to all common outlet valves with its special connector. The
meter’s screw connection is protected against manipulation with a seal.
f. Garden water meter [4l]
Having a garden can be a fun, rewarding, green experience, especially in the summer,
when everything blooms and all your hard work brings beauty (and maybe even some food).
If you want it to stay green, though, almost every garden is going to require some watering; so
it is very useful to install in gardens or parks, water meters specially built for this purpose (see
fig. 10f).
g. Flexible Axis Meter (FAM) [4b]
For quicker and less expensive meter installation, the FAM provides complete
installation flexibility. The FAM flow tube can be installed horizontally, vertically or at any
angle in between. Regardless of the angle of flow tube installation, the measuring chamber
sits horizontally, in the ideal position for accurate measurement. No need for costly meter
setters in non-horizontal installations or for re-plumbing when meters are replaced in non-
level settings. When piping runs against walls or between studs, the FAM measuring
chamber’s orientation allows easy installation without re-plumbing - making submetering
retrofit affordable in many previously impractical installations. To further simplify
installation, the Flexible Axis Meter flow tube can be installed either with threaded or solder-
joint connections. For submetering applications this eliminates the need for meter couplings,
further reducing installation cost. The Flexible Axis Meter employs the multi-jet measurement
principle, proven to offer the noiseless operation critical for submetering and inside-set utility
meters
h. Single-jet mixer tap meter [4q]
Single-jet mixer tap meter for cold and hot utility water is a single-jet impeller meter in
completely dry-running design with magnetic coupling designed especially for use in
connection with mixer taps (must be installed on the back of the mixer tap).
i. Multi-jet wet dial meter for cold water upstreaming and downstream pipe model [4i,
4r]
The tried and tested wet dial measuring insert in an upstreaming or downstreaming pipe body
is available for installation in vertical piping with an ascending or descending flow direction.
This meter fits all installation points for upstreaming or downstreaming pipe meters and
makes periodical replacement child's play. In contrast to vertically mounted standard meters,
the counter can continue to work in the horizontal position. The low bearing load connected
with these results in the highly improved long-term stability of measuring results.

CONCLUSIONS
Turbine water (single-jet or multijet meters) has been around for many years. Turbine
water meters belong to the class of traditional technology flowmeters The history of new
technology water meters (like ultrasonic water meters) begins after 1950, while the origins of
traditional technology meters predate 1950. Many traditional technology meters have moving
parts and some are mechanical rather than electronic. Although there is a clearly identifiable
trend today towards electronic water meters and away from traditional technology there are
several reasons why traditional technology meters are still extremely important in today’s
water meter market [11-14].
One reason is that some of the traditional technology water meter markets are so large
that even if they are showing a slight decline, these meters still represent a very large volume
of meters.
Secondly, traditional technology meters still have a very large installed base. This is
certainly true of turbine water meters.
Third single-jet or multijet water meter manufacturers are also coming out with
improvements (see part II of this paper) that make these meters more reliable and more
competitive with new technology meters.
Another reason why traditional technology meters are holding their own or growing in
some segments is that industrial associations play a major role in determining what meters are
acceptable in some applications, especially for billing purposes.

References
[1] *** „Earth’s water distribution‖ United States Geological Survey 2009
[2] *** „Human Development Report – Powe, poverty and the global water crisis‖ United Nation Development
Programme 2006
[3] *** ―Transactions in measurement and control -.Flow & level measurement‖ Putman Publishing Company
and Omega Press LLC 2001
[4] Brochures from: (a) SC AEM SA Timisoara, (b)Master Meter Inc, (c ) Fenghua Sanju Water Meter Co Ltd,
(d) Ningbo Wanlong Electron Science Technology Co Ltd, (e) Bell Flow Systems. (f) Itron, (g) Actaris, (h) UK
Metering, (i) Zenner International GmbH & Co KG, (j) Ningbo Jiaje Water-Meter Manufacture Co Ltd, (k)
Maddalena SPA, (l) Hydrometer GmbH, (m) Elster iberconta, (n) Siemens Building Technologies, (o) Ista
Deutschland GmbH, (p) Minol Messtechnik, (q) Brunata, (r) Aquametro AG etc
[5] Chamosset Jerome, Darras Arnaud ―Turbine for fluid meter in particular water meter‖ US Patent No 272199
Nov 5, 2009
 [6] Adam Kozlowski, Janusz Dubick ―Crime Stopper - The fight against water theft with the use of strong
magnetic field‖ Water efficiency - The journal for water resource management May-June 2010
[7] Eff Ulrich; Buckl Roland; Zellner Claus; Ibel Karl-Heinz ―Magnetic coupling for water meter with protection
against external magnetic fields‖ EP Patent no. 0882953 from 1998-12-09
[8] Haudebert Lionel, Freund Marcel ―Device affording magnetic protection‖ WO Patent no 9606480 from
1996-02-29
[9] Hubert, A. and Schaefer, R.: Magnetic domains. The Analysis of Magnetic Microstructures. Berlin, New
York, Springer, 1998.
[10] *** European Community Design No. 000485487, Magnetic field indicators, Office of Harmonization in
the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs), Alicante, Spain, 2006 .
[11] Jesse Yoder ―Despite market declines, turbine flowmeters remain major segment‖ Flow Control, October
2002, p. 52
[12] Jesse Yoder ―A new perspective on traditional technology flowmeters‖ Flow Control, November/December
2002 p. 31
[12] Jesse Yoder , Belinda Burns ―Flowmeter measurement trends in the water industry‖- Flow Control, June
2003, p.24
[13] Jesse Yoder ―Water works: flowmeter selection for utility applications - Flow Control, June 2004, p.16
[14] Jesse Yoder ―Turbine flowmeters -An industry standard faces new competition‖- Flow Control - December
2009, p. 34

1
The first turbine flowmeter was invented in Germany by Reinhard Woltman (1757-1837) way back in 1790.
He came up with the idea in response to a need of studying loss of water flow velocity in open canals. Since
then, the turbine flow meter has seen many innovations in terms of technology. However, the original design
persists more or less and is still the preferred flow meter when it comes to measuring the flow of water in large
quantities. It is known as the Woltman flow meter
2
EnviroBrass II® is an alternative high copper brass alloy. Developed by ASARCO Specialty Products,
EnviroBrass II® uses bismuth selenide instead of lead

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