Insertion flowmeter offers more power for users

ABB AquaProbe insertion flowmeter is available with mains, battery, and renewable power sources.

By Source: ABB May 6, 2012

ABB’s Measurement Products’ business announces enhancements to its AquaProbe insertion electromagnetic flowmeter range with additional power source and transmitter options. The enhancements make it ideal for clean water applications whether they be existing permanent or temporary installations. Designed to work with both WaterMaster and AquaMaster 3 transmitters, the enhanced AquaProbe offers a wide choice of power solutions including main-and battery-power options, plus an all-new renewable power version which can draw power from either solar or wind-power.

The manufacturers, ABB Measurement Products, see this new extension to the AquaProbe range as representing a major step forward for insertion flowmeter capability. The key lies in the incorporation of the high-specification transmitter from ABB’s WaterMaster range. The AquaProbe with WaterMaster transmitter is available with 4-20 mA with HART protocol or Profibus DP. In the field, WaterMaster transmitters incorporate many operator focused features. The backlit, graphical display can easily be rotated without the need for any tools, allowing field teams to customize the display that best fits their needs. "Through the glass" control allows local operator interface to input short, quick data for all user specific parameters.

Installing the AquaProbe is made simple by its use of ABB’s "fit and flow" intelligent installation technology. With this technology AquaProbe eliminates the need to match flow sensor and transmitter in the field. On initial installation, the self-configuration sequence automatically replicates into the transmitter all calibration factors, meter size and serial numbers as well as site-specific settings, eliminating the opportunity for error.

AquaProbe is fully submersible with IP68/NEMA 6P protection rating and the absence of any moving parts results in increased reliability and reduced maintenance with no impact on performance. AquaProbe can be used on pipe sizes from 200 to 8000 mm (8 to 315 in.), the transmitter being mounted either locally or up to 200 m (650 ft) remote from the probe to facilitate ease of reading.

With the flexibility of the AquaProbe sensor, AquaProbe with AquaMaster 3 (FEA200) can be permanently installed as a monitoring device for economic management of the water supply, or used as a portable site survey tool to check for leaks or to identify hydraulic problems in the existing network.

A simple dc (6-21 V) connection can be hooked up to sources as small as a 5 W solar panel or 60 W equivalent wind supply. When coupled with its use of super capacitor energy storage technology, this feature totally eliminates the need for either mains or battery power, making AquaProbe with AquaMaster 3 transmitter suitable for use in even the remotest locations. In the mains-power mode of AquaProbe with AquaMaster 3, the SuperCap technology maintains continuous measurement and alarms reporting via SMS for up to 5 days in the event of a power failure. This is expanded to up to 3 weeks for the renewable power mode, with the SuperCap also acting to power the meter during the night.

A new development in the battery-only version of the AquaProbe with AquaMaster 3 is the option of an Alkaline-Manganese Dioxide Battery pack, offering an operating life of up to 5 years in standard applications. The new AquaProbe offers competitive features and benefits surpassing competitors at every stage of the process. The new design raises the bar to the next level for all clean water applications.