Which water meter is better

In order to pay only for the water you used, you need to install a water meter or, as they say, water meters in the apartment. What kind of water meters are and which ones are suitable for domestic use and we will figure it out.

Water meters are installed so as not to pay "for a neighbor"

Types and types of water meters

There are several types of water meters, but they can all be divided into two main groups: non-volatile (using mechanical processes) and volatile (needing electricity).

In general, there are four types of counters:

• 

  Ultrasonic water meter

  How to choose polypropylene pipes read here.

  Types of tachometric counters

  Mechanical meters are good in that no additional conditions are required for their operation. There is a stream of water - they work, there is no stream - they stand. But they don't really like long downtime - due to the presence of salts in the water, the impeller or turbine may stop rotating. This means that you will need to change the meter.

  Water temperature classification

  Water meters (this is the official name) are available for cold and hot water. They differ in the range of operating temperatures:

  • for cold, the maximum is + 30 ° C;
  • for hot + 130 ° C;
  • universal - operating temperature range - up to + 90 ° C.

  Even if the water meters are of the same type and they have the same manufacturer, the price difference is noticeable. But it is justified - heat-resistant materials are used for hot water supply, and they are much more expensive. So that outwardly they can be easily distinguished, the cases are painted in different colors - counters for cold water are usually blue, for hot water - red, universal ones are orange in color.

  

  The meter is intended for hot or cold water, you can see by the color of its body

  By the principle of action

  With the general principle of operation, this type of water meter has several varieties. First, there are two principles of operation:

  • Single-jet - water flows in a single stream and enters the impeller. In this case, vortex flows arise, which negatively affect the measurement accuracy.
  • Multi-jet. The stream is split into several separate streams, which reduces the turbulence of the streams, increasing the measurement accuracy.
    

    The multi-jet water meter has a different look

  But not everything is so simple: multi-jet tachometric water meters are available only for large pipe diameters (over 40 mm in diameter). They are not suitable for apartments.

  By the method of installing the counting and rotating mechanism

  More relevant for us is the division according to the method of installing the counting mechanism. On this basis, water meters are divided into dry and wet. In the wet, the counting mechanism is in the water, therefore it quickly fails. In dry-type devices, the counting mechanism is separated from the water by a plate and they work longer.

  There is one more type of tachometer counters - valve. In such a water meter, a shut-off valve is additionally installed, which allows the water to be shut off. For what this may be needed, it is difficult to say, because during installation, a shut-off valve must be installed in front of the water meter. It is needed in case you need to change or check the meter, with this tap, if necessary, they turn off the water.

  

  What is the Difference Between Vane Vane and Turbine Water Meters

  There is a turbine or impeller inside the tachometer meters, respectively, they are divided into turbine and vane. The whole difference is in the location of the axis of rotation. In vane-type ones, it is perpendicular to the flow, in turbine ones - parallel, although the shape of the rotating wheel is identical.Vane water meters are more sensitive and can measure weak water flows, but they have a drawback - they almost completely block the water passage, which reduces the throughput of the water supply system. The second minus is that in the event of a malfunction (if the impeller stops rotating), the flow is almost completely blocked.

  Name	For what water	A type	Bore diameter	Installation length	Min / max flow	Connecting dimensions	Price
  SVK -15-3-2 "Arzamas"	universal	vane dry	15mm	110 mm	0.06 - 3 m3 / hour	thread G3 / 4	600 rbl
  VSKhN DN 25	cold water	single-jet vane	25 mm	260 mm	0.07-7 m3 / hour	thread 1 "1/4"	72$
  VSGN-25 DN	hot water	single-jet vane	25 mm	260 mm	0.14-7.3 m3 / h	thread 1 "1/4"	87$
  VALTEC VLF-R-L	universal	vane dry	15 mm	110 mm	0.01-3 m3 / hour	1/2 "thread	800 rbl
  ITELMA IS.160005 (vertical installation is allowed)	hot water	vane dry	15 mm	110 mm without fittings	up to 3 m3 / hour	G3 / 4 ''	890 rbl
  PULSE 15-X (vertical installation is allowed)	cold	Vane-type, dry-propelled	15 mm	80 mm without squeegees	up to 3 m3 / hour	1/2 "thread	730 rbl

  To combine the advantages of both types of rotating elements, a combined tachometer water meter was invented. It contains both a turbine and an impeller. At a low water flow rate, it is supplied to the impeller, at a high water flow rate - to the turbine. But the cost of this type of equipment is already quite high.

  One more point: turbine water meters are available in diameters from 40 mm, so there is actually no choice for apartment owners. We have to install vane water meters - others simply do not fit.
  

  Read how to install a water meter here.

  Additional features

  To automate the process of taking readings, there are special overlays (based on reed switches or with a radio transmission). They are not compatible with all devices, so water meters are usually sold immediately with such additions.

  There are vane meters for DHW water with the ability to control the temperature, they can also be called multi-tariff, since they calculate the amount of water consumed with different temperatures. They are relevant for those countries that have developed a recalculation mechanism. Russia, also belongs to them (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 27, 2012 No. 354).

  

  Sayany multi-tariff hot water meter

  Multi-tariff hot water meters have a small processor and memory size, and most often run on a rechargeable battery. Since only a few sensors, a microprocessor and memory require power, the consumption is very low. One feeding element is enough for 5-8 years.

  Temperature data are stored in the microprocessor memory, from where they can be retrieved. The memory is periodically cleared, so it should be checked periodically.