Flowmeter: New ultrasonic design uses batteries or mains power

By Control Engineering Staff December 21, 2006
The Sitrans FUS/E 380 series is mounted on a spool-section of pipe, ready to be inserted into existing process piping.

With the advances in wireless technology for communicating with remote instrumentation, it’s no surprise that more devices are coming out that don’t require mains power. Siemens has now released its first ultrasonic flowmeter with a “two-track” power scheme: one version operates just on batteries and the other uses mains power but can have an external battery pack for backup. The Sitrans FUS/E380 series is intended primarily for water service, including heating networks, boilers, chiller plants, water treatment, etc.

The series covers a wide range of pipe sizes, from DN 100-800 (4-32 in.), and can operate with pressures up to 40 bar (580 psi) with temperatures as high as 200 °C (390 °F). Battery life is rated at up to six years. Sitrans series permanently mounted flowmeters all use transit-time technology which Siemens says is especially immune to signal degradation caused by internal scale buildup and can operate in complex piping installations. Signal output is via Modbus communication and an on-board display.

Siemens anticipates expanding their line of battery powered instrumentation, including magnetic flowmeters. Most designs fit known applications where providing power is impossible or prohibitively expensive.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Peter Welander , process industries editor