Description
Clamp-On Ultrasonic Energy Meter YF-E3M — Non-Invasive Cooling & Heating Energy Measurement
The YF-E3M clamp-on ultrasonic energy meter measures cooling and heating energy consumption in central air conditioning, HVAC and industrial process systems — without cutting pipes, interrupting flow or shutting down operations. It clamps onto the outside of existing pipework and delivers accurate flow and energy data for pipe sizes from DN6 to DN100 (OD 9.53–110mm). Also known as a clamp-on BTU meter, ultrasonic heat meter or non-invasive energy consumption monitor, the YF-E3M is the ideal solution for retrofit energy metering where shutdown is impractical or impossible.
How the YF-E3M Ultrasonic Energy Meter Works
The YF-E3M uses ultrasonic transit-time technology: a pair of transducers sends ultrasonic pulses through the pipe wall and the flowing medium. The time difference between upstream and downstream pulses is proportional to the flow velocity. Combined with the pipe cross-sectional area, this gives volumetric flow rate.
For energy measurement, two PT1000 high-precision temperature sensors are installed on the inlet and outlet pipes. The energy meter calculates thermal energy by multiplying the flow rate by the temperature difference and the specific heat capacity of the medium — ideal for chilled water, hot water and other heat-transfer fluids used in HVAC and industrial processes.
Key Features & Benefits
- Clamp-on installation: Attaches to the outside of the pipe with a magnetic bracket system — no pipe cutting, no process interruption, no pressure loss, no production downtime
- Dual measurement: Simultaneously measures flow rate and energy (cooling/heating) in one device
- Wide pipe range: DN6–DN100 (OD 9.53–110mm), covering steel, stainless steel, copper, PVC, PP, PPR, PVDF, HDPE, PFA/PU and other common pipe materials
- OLED display: 1.3-inch 128×64 OLED screen with 180° rotation for easy reading in any mounting position
- Multiple outputs: 4–20mA analog output, RS485 with Modbus RTU protocol, optional OCT relay alarm output (30VDC @ 1A)
- IP54/IP65 rated: Aluminum alloy housing suitable for indoor and outdoor installation environments
- Data logging: Stores 10 years, 64 months and 64 days of measurement data
- Touch-key menu: Picklist-style setup with 4 touch keys — no special knowledge required
- Measurable media: Water, chemical solvents, acids, alkalis, organic liquids, alcohol and more (single-phase, bubble-free, viscosity <300 CST)
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product type | Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter / energy meter |
| Accuracy | ±2.0% (at 0.3–5.0 m/s) |
| Flow velocity range | 0.1–5.0 m/s |
| Repeatability | 0.8% |
| Response time | 500ms |
| Pipe range | OD 9.53–110mm (DN6–DN100) |
| Pipe materials | Steel, stainless steel, copper, PVC, CPVC, PP, PPR, PVDF, HDPE, PFA/PU |
| Medium temperature | -10°C to 50°C (standard) |
| RTD temperature range | 2°C to 105°C (35.6°F to 221°F) |
| Viscosity | <300 CST (mm²/s) |
| Display | 1.3″ 128×64 OLED, 180° rotatable |
| Display data | Flow rate, flow velocity, net totalizer, single totalizer, day-month-year totalizer |
| Display units | m³/h, LPM, GPM, LPH (default: m³/h) |
| Power supply | 24VDC @ 3W |
| Analog output | 4–20mA, max load 600Ω |
| Communication | RS485, Modbus RTU protocol |
| Alarm output | OCT, upper/lower limit alarm (optional), 30VDC @ 1A |
| Relay output | CR1220 (option) |
| IP rating | IP54 / IP65 |
| Cable length | Standard 2m, extendable to 20m |
| Housing material | Aluminum alloy |
| Environment temperature | -10°C to 70°C (separate type) |
| Environment humidity | 0–95% RH, non-condensing |
| Data storage | 10 years, 64 months, 64 days |
| Language | English |
| Keypad | 4 touch keys |
| Calendar battery | CR1220 |
Available Models & Pipe Sizes
| Model | Pipe OD (mm) | DN | Flow Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| YF-E3M-Φ9.53 | 9.53–12.7 | DN6 (¼”) | 0.2–20 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ12.7 | 12.7–14 | DN8 (⅜”) | 0.44–30 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ15 | 14–17 | DN10 (½”) | 0.57–50 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ20 | 17–20 | DN15 (¾”) | 0.92–70 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ25 | 22–30 | DN20 (1″) | 1.36–150 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ32 | 30–35 | DN25 (1¼”) | 2.71–200 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ40 | 38–45 | DN32 (1½”) | 4.24–330 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ50 | 48–54 | DN40 (2″) | 6.8–460 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ63 | 58–68 | DN50 (2½”) | 9.54–700 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ75 | 68–78 | DN65 (3″) | 14.8–1030 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ90 | 88–96 | DN80 (4″) | 21.8–1360 L/min |
| YF-E3M-Φ110 | 108–116 | DN100 | 36.5–2170 L/min |
Applications
The YF-E3M ultrasonic energy meter is widely used for energy measurement and management in:
- Central air conditioning systems: Measure and allocate cooling/heating costs across tenants or zones
- District heating: Residential and commercial heating monitoring and billing
- Power plants: Cooling water and process heat monitoring
- Paper and pulping: Process fluid energy measurement
- Pharmaceuticals: Clean utility energy tracking and ISO 50001 compliance
- Petroleum and chemical: Heat transfer fluid monitoring
- Metallurgy and mining: Cooling circuit energy management
- Data centers: Cooling tower and condenser water loop optimization
Easy Installation — No Pipe Cutting Required
The YF-E3M is designed for installation without specialized knowledge. The magnetic bracket system holds the sensor in place while screws are tightened, and the complete process takes minutes:
- Clean the pipe surface
- Attach the bracket with 4 screws (magnetic design prevents screws from falling)
- Fix the measuring unit with 2 screws
- Connect the cable and power on
- Enter pipe parameters via the touch-key menu
No moving parts, no pressure loss, no production shutdown. The product is factory-calibrated to ±2.0% nominal accuracy and includes a zero-point calibration function for field verification.
Ordering Information
Standard configuration includes the main unit, flow sensor, temperature sensors, mounting bracket, pipe straps and 2m cable. Optional accessories: extended cable (up to 20m), external power converter for 220VAC, extended temperature sensors.
For pricing, customization or technical assistance, contact our sales team. Download the full product brochure from our Download Center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasonic Energy Meters
What is a clamp-on ultrasonic energy meter?
A clamp-on ultrasonic energy meter is a non-invasive device that measures both liquid flow rate and thermal energy (heating/cooling) from outside the pipe. It uses ultrasonic transducers clamped onto the pipe exterior to measure flow via transit-time technology, combined with paired temperature sensors (PT1000 RTDs) on the supply and return lines to calculate energy consumption. Unlike inline energy meters, clamp-on models require no pipe cutting, no process shutdown and no pressure loss.
What is the difference between an ultrasonic energy meter and a BTU meter?
BTU meter and energy meter are functionally the same — both measure thermal energy consumption by combining flow measurement with supply/return temperature differential. “BTU meter” is the term commonly used in North America (British Thermal Units), while “energy meter” or “heat meter” is more common in Europe and Asia (typically measuring in kWh, MJ or GJ). The YF-E3M supports both unit conventions through its display configuration.
Can the YF-E3M measure both flow and energy simultaneously?
Yes. The YF-E3M simultaneously displays and outputs flow rate (m³/h, LPM, GPM or LPH) and accumulated energy consumption. The 4–20mA analog output can be configured for either flow or energy, while the RS485 Modbus RTU interface provides access to all measured and calculated parameters including instantaneous flow, flow velocity, supply/return temperature, temperature differential, instantaneous power and totalized energy.
What pipe sizes and materials does the YF-E3M support?
The YF-E3M covers pipe outer diameters from 9.53mm to 110mm (DN6 to DN100, or ¼” to 4″ NPS). It is compatible with steel, stainless steel, copper, PVC, CPVC, PP, PPR, PVDF, HDPE, PFA and PU pipe materials. Simply select the pipe material and enter the outer diameter and wall thickness via the touch-key menu — no special tools or spacers required.
How accurate is the YF-E3M ultrasonic energy meter?
The YF-E3M achieves ±2.0% accuracy for flow measurement within the calibrated range of 0.3–5.0 m/s. Temperature measurement uses PT1000 platinum RTD sensors with a precision measuring circuit. Energy accuracy depends on both flow and temperature accuracy and is typically ±2.0–3.0% under normal operating conditions. The meter is factory-calibrated to nominal accuracy before shipping and includes a zero-point calibration function for field verification.
Does the YF-E3M require a power supply?
Yes, the YF-E3M operates on 24VDC at 3W. If your installation site only has 220VAC available, an optional external power converter is available. The low power consumption makes it suitable for remote monitoring installations where power budgets are tight.
Can I use the YF-E3M for energy billing and cost allocation?
Yes. The YF-E3M is designed for energy cost allocation in multi-tenant buildings, industrial facilities and district energy systems. Its RS485 Modbus RTU output integrates with building management systems (BMS) and energy management platforms for automated data collection and reporting. The built-in data storage retains 10 years of monthly records and 64 days of daily records, providing the historical data needed for billing verification and energy audits.
How long does installation take?
A typical YF-E3M installation takes 15–30 minutes per measurement point. The magnetic bracket system holds the transducer in position while screws are tightened. No pipe cutting, welding or system shutdown is required. Setup is menu-driven via the touch-key interface — select pipe material, enter outer diameter and wall thickness, select fluid type, and the meter begins measuring immediately.
Related Ultrasonic Flow & Energy Meters
Looking for a different pipe size, form factor or feature set? Explore our full range of clamp-on ultrasonic flow and energy meters:
- YF-E6 Clamp-On Ultrasonic Energy Meter — Large-pipe energy/BTU measurement for DN25–DN2000, ±1.0% flow accuracy, ideal for district heating and cooling systems
- YF-E5 Compact Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter — Budget-friendly compact flow meter for small pipes, easy installation
- YF-C3M Compact Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter — Magnetic-snap compact meter for quick tool-free mounting
- YF-P2 Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meter — Premium portable kit with ±0.5% accuracy for field surveys and commissioning, DN25–DN5000
- YF-C6 Fixed Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter — Wall-mount fixed installation for permanent monitoring applications
- YF-C8 Premium Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter — High-performance fixed meter with advanced diagnostics
Browse all models on our Products page or contact us for help selecting the right meter for your application.
Why Choose Yeshi Flowmeter as Your Ultrasonic Energy Meter Supplier
Yeshi Flowmeter is a professional manufacturer of ultrasonic flow and energy meters with extensive experience in B2B supply for distributors, system integrators, HVAC contractors and OEM/ODM partners. We offer competitive pricing, reliable quality, fast delivery and comprehensive technical support. Our products are exported worldwide and trusted by customers in HVAC, power generation, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals and building automation.
Request a quotation today — we respond within 24 hours.
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