Inline vs Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter Comparison

Flow measurement is essential for process control, billing, and plant efficiency. Ultrasonic flow meters use sound waves to measure flow rate.

Burak Metering leads in manufacturing advanced ultrasonic flow measurement solutions in India.

Clamp-on vs Inline Ultrasonic Flow Meter

What is a Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters attach sensors to the outside of the pipe. They send and receive ultrasonic pulses through the pipe wall. This method measures flow without cutting the pipe or stopping fluid flow. Installation is quick and can be done while the system runs.

Clamp-on meters suit retrofit and temporary measurement tasks and large diameter pipes. They work on most metals and plastics that transmit sound waves well. Accuracy often ranges near ±1 % to ±2 % of the reading.

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What is an Inline Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Inline ultrasonic flow meters mount the sensors inside the pipeline. The fluid flows directly through the sensor body. This direct contact reduces interference from pipe walls and provides higher measurement precision.

Many inline ultrasonic designs achieve accuracy around ±0.3 % to ±0.5 % of reading. They are common for critical process control, custody transfer, and billing applications. Installation requires pipe cutting, shutdown, and re-welding or spool piece replacement.

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Accuracy and Performance

Inline ultrasonic flow meters typically outperform clamp-on units in accuracy and repeatability. This advantage comes from direct fluid contact and controlled acoustic paths.

Clamp-on meters can reach high precision under good pipe and fluid conditions, but are generally slightly lower in accuracy due to signal transmission through pipe walls.

Installation and Maintenance

Clamp-on meters install externally without process interruption. A trained technician can mount them in under an hour. This reduces labor cost and downtime versus inline meters that need pipe cutting, welding, and pressure testing.

Clamp-on units have no wetted parts and minimal ongoing maintenance. Inline units may need scheduled maintenance on internal components.

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Cost and Lifecycle

Clamp-on solutions often cost less to deploy, especially on large pipes. They reduce labor and shutdown costs.

Inline meters may have a higher upfront install cost but deliver strong long-term value in precision use cases. Consider total lifecycle expense when selecting a solution.

Schedule a service check for your existing ultrasonic meter.

Use Cases and Suitability

Clamp-on meters are ideal for retrofits, temporary measurements, flow surveys, and systems where downtime is not possible.

Inline meters are preferred for fiscal metering, chemical dosing, and systems where high accuracy and stable long-term measurement are required.

Limitations and Considerations

Clamp-on performance depends on pipe material, wall thickness, surface condition, and fluid state. Corrosion, scale, or coatings can affect readings.

Inline meters require fluid shutdown and a more complex installation. High-temperature or small-pipe applications may favor inline solutions for reliable results.

Conclusion

Both clamp-on and inline ultrasonic flow meters deliver valuable flow measurement.

Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters provide fast, non-intrusive installation with low maintenance and cost benefits.

Inline ultrasonic meters deliver higher accuracy and long-term stability for critical or fiscal applications.

Burak Metering offers a wide range of ultrasonic flow meters to fit diverse industrial needs in India. Our products support accurate flow measurement, reliable performance, and expert technical support.

Choose Burak Metering for professional installation assistance, service, and calibration.

Burak Metering stands out as a top ultrasonic flow meter manufacturer in India with deep industry experience and quality solutions.

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Contact us for help selecting the right flow meter for your process.