Installation and Calibration Best Practices for Magnetic Flowmeters
Published on 01 10, 2025 in Category: GENERAL
Magnetic flowmeters are essential instruments used to accurately measure the flow of conductive liquids in a wide range of industrial applications. To insure these meters provide the precise, long term, low maintenance service they are designed to produce, it is crucial to follow best practices during installation and startup calibration. In addition to the factory installation, Quick Startup, and operating manuals Keco Engineered controls provides application specific information to insure best installation and calibration practices are followed.
Proper Installation Techniques
Careful attention must be given to the location and orientation of the flow sensor tube in the pipe to insure accurate, stable, and reliable flow readings. The Magnetic Flowmeter is designed to be installed in a pipe location that will insure the pipe remains full at all flow rates. Vertical installation requires an upward flow to avoid the buildup of particulate, debris, and air pockets. For horizontal flow, installation at the low point in a “u” pipe section or similar configuration to keep the pipe full is required. In these locations adequate flow velocity to keep the sensor clean is needed. Any location where the pipe will run partially full is to be avoided.
In addition it is recommended that the sensor tube location provides at least 5 pipe diameters of straight pipe upstream and 2 diameters of straight pipe downstream for the sensor. These pipe runs help to eliminate flow disturbances and turbulence to provide an accurate, stable flow reading.
Calibration Accuracy
Proper configuration and calibration at startup enables the magnetic flowmeter to deliver the long term precise, repeatable readings and output signals the meter is designed to provide. Rosemount Magnetic Flowmeters provided by Keco Engineered Controls come pre-configured and pre-calibrated from the factory with factory configuration and calibration printouts if the application information is provided by the end user during the evaluation process.
If the Rosemount Magnetic Flowmeter is ordered with the Calibration Verification option it is necessary to perform a “signature” of the flow meter soon after installation. The preferred method is to perform the signature with the sensor full of the application liquid with no flow. This “as new” signature is stored in the meter transmitter electronics.
When the on board Calibration Verification is run at a later date, the electronics compares the meter at that date to the “as new” electronics. This comparison determines whether the existing calibration is within a user defined acceptable range of the as new calibration. The meter electronics issues a pass/fail result for the transmitter, sensor, and the full system based on the comparison. The electronics provides other information that can be entered along with the comparison results on a report form provided in the operating manual. Many companies use this report for regulatory compliance as well as for internal meter files.
Maintaining Long-Term Performance
With no moving parts the Rosemount Magnetic Flowmeter requires minimal maintenance compared to most flowmeters. A good meter ground is important to eliminate noisy measurement signals. Electrode cleanliness is significant to maintain accurate flow readings. A full pipe is critical for measuring precise flow volume. Fortunately all of these can be monitored using the meter diagnostics. As a result, a regular diagnostics check and quick corrective action is the best way to help maintain long term meter performance.
Keco Engineered Controls uses its many years of design, configuration, and Calibration Verification experience to select the best meter for your application. In addition the meter is provided with the installation and calibration information needed for a successful startup and long-term operation. Please email us at sales@kecocontrols.com, call us at 732 901-5900, or request information or a quote using our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
