Today, gas is considered the easiest mineral to use. Many people use this type of fuel on a daily basis for everyday household tasks such as cooking, space heating and water heating. In this case, it is necessary to somehow control the flow of gas. For these purposes, a special measuring device was created. The principle of operation of gas meters may differ depending on the design features of specific models, as well as the underlying mechanism.
General description and device
Such a device is connected to a main pipe supplying a private house or apartment. The connection can be both outdoor and located inside the building itself. A gaseous substance enters through the counter, and it, in turn, counts the passing volumes. The display for the user shows only the final information in the form of the number of consumed cubic meters. The principle of operation of a gas meter may differ depending on the calculation mechanismpassing gas. The appearance of the devices will also be different. For example, mechanical meters may not have their own display to display information, but use a special counter with red divisions that indicate certain fractions of a cubic meter.
The design of a gas flow meter involves three main elements. The first of these is a completely sealed case, which houses all the other components. Others include the measuring transducer itself and the counting device. The way in which the last of the listed elements will be affected by the device depends on the principle of stream conversion. An example is a mechanical device that uses different physical properties of gases to move a reading arm. If we are talking about an electronic device, then the receipt of information occurs due to the transformation of the flow into electrical impulses.
Main product types
As a rule, a general classification of all meters into two types according to their purpose is carried out - household and industrial. The division occurs according to one criterion, taken as a basis. It is considered how much the device is able to pass gas in one hour of operation. At the same time, the principle of operation inside and the arrangement of gas meters of both types in some cases may be completely the same.
- Household appliances. The most common among them are products with a throughput of not more than 12cubic meters per hour. The principles of measurement in such devices can be based on the membrane, diaphragm and rotational methods.
- Industrial devices. This category includes all devices that can pass more than 12 cubic meters per hour. If this indicator does not exceed 200 cubic meters for a given time period, then rotational measurement methods are used. In more powerful models, the principles of turbine and vortex mechanisms already apply.
Gas meter models
The required type of device is selected based on the maximum volume consumed. The cost of products with different throughput can vary greatly. Each city has its own gas distribution company. Most often, its representatives strongly recommend the use of certain specific models. This approach simplifies life for both the gas consumer and the maintenance personnel at these enterprises. The fact is that the company's specialists are trained to inspect and repair the very models that are recommended for purchase by the end user. Spare parts are always available in stock, and staff will be able to provide more qualified support in the event of a device breakdown.
Also, on the hotline, companies can suggest a suitable principle for the operation of a gas meter for the existing infrastructure in the house. Go shopping should be in any hardware or hardware store in the city. Also allowed in modernrealities and purchase via the Internet from trusted suppliers, because any special performance check is still not carried out at a regular outlet.
Characteristics of gas meters
Besides bandwidth, there are several other important parameters for such devices. They do not depend on the principle of operation and the design of the gas meter and are considered the same for all such products. Other features are listed below.
- Number of simultaneously supported devices. In some cases, it is required to keep records not only of a gas stove, but also, for example, a heating boiler using this fuel.
- Distance between axles. Actual for all models with the top connection. For devices for two gas devices, it is 11, 20 or 25 cm. If three sources of consumption are controlled, then the distance can be equal to 20 or 25 cm.
- Thread diameter. Depends on the same parameter for the pipe. In private houses, as a rule, the diameter of the line is larger than in apartments.
- Calibration interval. The maximum period after which an inspection of the device by specialists is required.
Electronic gas meters
Most suitable for measuring in apartments with central heating and hot water supply. Most models have a low throughput, which will be sufficient in such conditions. Small optionslike the Grand 1.6 products can measure flows no more than 1.6 cubic meters per hour. This is considered the optimal value when connecting the appliance to a gas stove.
The principle of operation of electronic gas meters is that the measurement is carried out by an indirect method. In this case, the flow velocity has a direct effect on the frequency of automatic oscillations generated by the built-in jet generator.
Membrane gas meters
As a household appliance is one of the most common options. They are also called diaphragmatic. The principle of operation of a membrane gas meter is to alternately fill two measuring chambers. Between the compartments is a special membrane. It is from this fact that the name of such devices comes.
The volume of each chamber is strictly fixed. The connected valves at the inlet and outlet operate in an asynchronous mode, that is, they alternately release and let in gas. The drive of the counting device is rotated due to a lever that converts membrane vibrations. The flow rate is then displayed on the external display.
Smart gas meters
This category belongs to electronic varieties and is considered the most modern. The main element for measurement is a block with a diaphragm. A special electronic totalizer calculates the total amount of gas consumed by any device in the entire house.
The principle of operation of smart gas meters as flow meters is nothingno different from conventional electronic devices. Nevertheless, smart versions are able to provide more accurate data, and their additional functionality is expressed in the ability to notify the owner of a house or apartment about a leak or a violation of a stable supply.
Gas meter "Grand-4"
The device uses a standard set of structural elements for its category. The body is made of metal. Inside are a piezoelectric element, an analog-to-digital converter, a lithium battery, a liquid crystal indicator and other parts. All connections are made with the expectation of protection against short circuit or sparking. The established standards also prescribe the suppression of the danger from explosions of the second group.
The principle of operation of the gas meter "Grand-4" is based on measuring the oscillation frequency of the gas jet. The piezo element in the generator converts the received data into an electrical impulse signal. The final value is proportional to the entire volume of incoming gas. Already after the pulse signal using an analog-to-digital converter is displayed as numerical indicators on the display of the device.
Gas meter "Betar SGBM-1.6"
Another universally recommended by companies and installed in apartments model. The counter is designed for the main load in the form of a gas stove with four burners. The operating temperature is -10 to 50 degrees Celsius, andpermissible humidity can be no more than 95 percent. The reading device is made in the form of a liquid crystal indicator. The accuracy of measurements reaches thousandths of a cubic meter. The principle of operation of the gas meter "Betar SGBM-1.6" is based on a change in the frequency of acoustic oscillations of the gas strictly proportional to its flow rate. A certain flow passes through the jet block of the sensor, and the counting device takes into account the number of pulses generated in this case.
The instructions also note that when exposed to external electromagnetic interference, a short-term failure in the indication of the flow rate may occur. This issue resolves itself after 10 seconds. The source of interference, for example, may be the operation of a piezo lighter. The principle of operation of gas meters with electronic readers allows the possibility of such an impact. It should be noted that this is not a sign of a defective device.
