RFQ

1. How do I choose the right clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter?

Match the meter to your pipe size, fluid, temperature and required outputs: choose the YF-C3 for small pipes (OD 9-277 mm), a fixed YF-C6/YF-C8 for permanent lines (DN25-DN2000), the YF-P1/YF-P2 for portable surveys, or the YF-E6 for HVAC energy/BTU metering. Our engineers confirm the model, transducer and mounting method for you – see the full how to choose guide and selection by application.

2. What information is needed to select an ultrasonic flow meter?

Provide pipe OD/DN and wall thickness, pipe material, fluid type and solids/air content, temperature, expected flow or velocity range, output signals (4-20 mA, RS485 Modbus, OCT pulse, relay), power and mounting style, and quantity. The checklist in “What We Need for an Accurate Quote” above covers every item; the selection guide explains why each matters.

3. What pipe sizes can a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter measure?

Fixed and portable models cover roughly DN25-DN2000 (1″-80″), while the compact YF-C3 specializes in small pipe from OD 9-277 mm (about DN6-DN100+) across 18 size specifications. Larger or special ranges can be reviewed with your application – see the pipe size guide.

4. What pipe materials can an ultrasonic flow meter measure?

Common options include carbon and stainless steel, copper, PVC, HDPE, PP, cast iron and lined pipes. Very thick walls, composites or dense crystalline materials may need a specific transducer – wall material and thickness are entered during setup. Details in the pipe materials guide.

5. How do you install a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter?

Pick a location with adequate straight run and a clean, scale-free surface, enter the pipe parameters, mount the transducers at the spacing the meter calculates (V or Z method), secure them with straps or the snap-on bracket, apply couplant, then confirm signal strength and complete the pipe/zero setup. Step-by-step rules are in the installation guide.

6. Can a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter be installed without shutting down the pipeline?

Yes. The transducers mount on the outside of a live, pressurized pipe, so there is no cutting, draining, hot work or shutdown during installation or later servicing. Read more about installing without shutdown.

7. How much straight pipe is required?

As a rule allow at least 10D of straight pipe upstream and 5D downstream after elbows or tees, 30D after valves and 50D after pumps. A longer, undisturbed run gives a symmetrical velocity profile and more stable readings – see the installation guide.

8. Where should ultrasonic transducers be installed?

On a horizontal pipe mount the pair on the side at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions – not on top where air collects or the bottom where sediment settles. Choose an accessible, low-vibration, fully flooded section with good straight run, as detailed in the installation guide.

9. How accurate is a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter?

Fixed and portable transit-time meters typically achieve about +/-1% of reading (at 0.5-5/12 m/s); the compact YF-C3 specifies +/-2.0% over 0.1-5.0 m/s. Real-world accuracy depends on correct mounting and pipe conditions – see the accuracy guide.

10. What affects ultrasonic flow meter accuracy?

Key factors are pipe condition (rust, scale, lining), entrained air or solids, insufficient straight run and a disturbed profile, incorrect transducer spacing or mounting method, couplant quality, and setup parameters (OD, wall thickness, material and fluid sound velocity). Each is explained in the accuracy factors guide.

11. Why is my ultrasonic flow meter reading incorrectly?

Most incorrect readings come from setup or site conditions: wrong pipe OD/wall/material parameters, poor coupling, entrained air or solids, a disturbed profile from short straight pipe, or an ageing transducer. Re-check the entered parameters and signal quality using the troubleshooting guide.

12. Why does my ultrasonic flow meter have a weak signal?

A weak signal usually traces to a dirty or coated pipe surface, insufficient couplant, misaligned or wrongly spaced transducers, a thick/composite wall, an air gap behind a liner, or air bubbles and solids in the liquid. Remount on a clean, fully flooded, straight section – see the signal troubleshooting guide.

13. Can ultrasonic flow meters measure water?

Yes – clean water is the ideal application for transit-time clamp-on meters: potable water, RO/purified water, seawater and process/cooling water are measured non-invasively with no pressure loss. See water & wastewater applications.

14. Can ultrasonic flow meters measure wastewater?

Yes. Wastewater with low solids works with transit-time meters; effluent with higher solids or gas content is better suited to a Doppler meter. Clamp-on mounting also avoids contact with corrosive untreated effluent – see water applications and transit-time vs Doppler.

15. Can ultrasonic flow meters measure chilled water and glycol?

Yes. Chilled water and water-glycol mixtures are measured routinely, with high-temperature transducer options for hot water. If you also need cooling energy in BTU/kWh, choose the YF-E6 energy meter. More in the liquids guide.

16. Can ultrasonic flow meters be used for HVAC systems?

Yes. Clamp-on meters and the YF-E6 energy meter are widely used in HVAC and chiller plants for chilled/hot-water flow, BTU metering, hydronic balancing and BMS integration via 4-20 mA or RS485. See the HVAC applications guide.

17. What is the difference between portable and fixed ultrasonic flow meters?

Portable YF-P1/YF-P2 units are battery-powered handhelds moved between pipes for surveys, pump tests and commissioning; fixed YF-C6/YF-C8 units are permanently installed for continuous 24/7 measurement and system integration. Both use the same clamp-on principle – see portable vs fixed.

18. What is the difference between clamp-on and inline flow meters?

Clamp-on meters mount externally with no pipe cutting, no pressure drop, no shutdown and lower installed cost, and can be moved. Inline meters need a pipe section or flange and a shutdown, but can offer tighter accuracy on difficult fluids or very high solids. Full comparison: clamp-on vs inline.

19. Can ultrasonic flow meters be OEM branded?

Yes. We provide complete OEM/private-label manufacturing – custom logo on the housing, neutral or branded colour boxes, localized manuals and labels, and configurable firmware and default settings. MOQ depends on the customization level; see our OEM services and the OEM specification guide.

20. Where can I buy ultrasonic flow meters wholesale from China?

Buy factory-direct from YS-Flux (Yeshi), a Chinese manufacturer and exporter of clamp-on, fixed, compact, portable and energy ultrasonic flow meters. You get bulk and container pricing, export documentation (CE/RoHS, calibration certificates), FOB/CIF/DDP shipping worldwide, sample units before volume orders, and full private-label support. Describe your project using the Request a Quote form on this page, or email sales@yeshi-flowmeter.com / WhatsApp +86-13425118418 – the export team replies within one business day. See also OEM services.

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