100% Employee Owned, Founded 1954

Search
Close this search box.
Cross Logo Horizontal

An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters

Meinecke Resource

An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 1

An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 2The turbine flow meter was invented by Reinhard Woltman in 1790. Eighty-Three years later in 1873, H. Meinecke AG (now Sensus Metering Systems) introduced a Mechanical Turbine Water Meter that is generally recognized as one of the original production type “Woltman” style turbine meters. Today, bulk type flow meters that are used to measure water flow in larger quantities, are still generically referred to as “Woltman” flow meters.

The original Meinecke Meter design offered in the United States was designated as the WP-QF Series. This series included two primary flow meters. The WP-QF Cold Water Meter was designed for measuring cold water with temperatures to 105°F (40°C), the WP-QF Hot Water Meter was designed for measuring Hot Water with temperatures to 266°F (130°C).

You might recognize the WP-QF meters as a model 3332A/3352A propeller meter marketed by Brooks Instrument for many years ending in 2002 when they made a strategic move to smaller, low flow, flow measurement technologies.

Introduction of the WP/Dynamic Series

At roughly the same time that the Meinecke Product line was being transitioned to Cross Company in 2001, Meinecke introduced the next generation of their Woltman style turbine meters, known as the WP/Dynamic series. An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 3

Like its predecessor, the WP/Dynamic series meters offered a simple, time tested method of flow measurement which was necesarily updated to reflect today’s state of the art production and design technologies.

  • Measuring ranges were extended, with required minimum flows at unheard of lows when compared to similar turbine type water meters.
  • By design, the lay lengths on the WP/D meters matched that of it’s predecesor (WP-QF Series meters) making them a drop-in replacement with no piping alterations.
  • Reaction times were improved and durability was maximized when compared to the older WP-QF Series Meters.
  • Hermetically sealed mechanical registers, available in US Gallons and Cubic Meters can now be rotated in any direction without affecting the meter reading or calibration seal. The register face has been redesigned to make it easier to read in poor lighting conditions. The new design also resulted in a major improvement in its ability to keep moisture and/or other contaminants out of the register.
  • Reconfigured pulser ports for both reed and opto style pulsers allow for easier installation in both new and retrofit applications. Pulsers simply plug into the register head rather than under the register as was common on the older WP-QF series. No tools or special skills are required. There are a total of three pulser ports, two reed and one opto.
  • Most noticeably, the new body design allows for minimum straight pipe requirements of just 3 pipe diameters upstream and ZERO downstream. Similar flow meters typically require a minimum of 10-15 pipe diameters upstream and roughly half that much downstream of the meter.

Today’s WP/Dynamic Turbine Flow Meters are available in several different configurations.

  1. WP/Dynamic Cold Water Meters for bulk measurement of water at temperatures up to 122°F/50°C
  2. WP/Dynamic Hot Water Meters for bulk measurement of water at temperatures up to 266°F/130°C
  3. WP Dynamic – BMF Series Meter; Originally designed for bulk measurement of Brine Solutions, contains no red metals and is ideally suited for measuring light caustics (pH levels <9), saline solutions, chlorinated water and glycol/water solutions to 30%.

    BMF Series Turbine Flow Meters are available in both Cold (Max Temp: 122°F/50°C) and Hot (Max Temp: 266°F/130°C) versions, from 2 inches to 8 inches.

An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 4

WP/Dynamic Cold Water Meters were the first to be introduced. Designed for measuring water attemperatures up to 122°F/50°C, the new design included new body design with the measuring element moved to the center of the body. A redesigned US Gallon Register featuring a single dial and an odometer style, non-resettable rolling register was also introduced. One complete revolution of the dial represents 100 gallons of flow on meters from 1-1/2” to 4” and 1,000 gallons of flow on 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” meters. Older models included 2 or 3 dials which were much more difficult to read quickly at a glance.

Features and Benefits:

  • Bulk liquid turbine water meter for cold water service
  • Cold Water to 122°F (50°C)
  • Available in sizes ranging from 1-1/2″ to 12″
  • Process Connection: ANSI 150lb RF Flanges
  • Register Reading: US Gallons or Cubic Meters
  • Measurement accuracy of +/- 2% on flows from 2.0 to 8,800 GPM
  • Replaceable measuring element can be removed for maintenance and/or replacement without removing the meter housing from the line
  • With its high degree of accuracy and the versatility of its accessories, Meinecke Flanged Turbine Water Meters are ideally suited for automatic batching, local or remote totalization or remote rate of flow indication

An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 5WP/Dynamic Hot Water Meters, which are rated to a maximum process temperature of 256°F/130°C, were introduced several years after the cold meters. Looking beyond water temperature, the most noticeable difference between the WP/Dynamic Series Hot and Cold water meters is the allowable maximum flow rates for similar sized meters.

As a general rule, max flow rates on hot water meters are roughly one third of the max flow on a cold water meter of the same size.

Features and Benefits:

  • Bulk liquid turbine water meter for Hot water service
  • Cold Water to 266°F (130°C)
  • Available in sizes ranging from 1-1/2″ to 12″
  • Process Connection: ANSI 150lb RF Flanges
  • Register Reading: US Gallons or Cubic Meters
  • Measurement accuracy of +/- 2% on flows from 2.0 to 2,641 GPM
  • A replaceable measuring element can be removed for maintenance and/or replacement without removing the meter housing from the line
  • With its high degree of accuracy and the versatility of its accessories, Meinecke Flanged Turbine Water Meters are ideally suited for automatic batching, local or remote totalization or remote rate of flow indication

WP/Dynamic BMF Series Turbine Meters – Originally designed for measuring brine solutions, BMF series meters are also well suited for measuring caustic sodas to 20%, saline solutions to 10%, glycol-water solutions to 30% as well as other water like solutions with pH values up to 9.An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 6

BMF meters are identical to standard WPD meters in both outward appearance and performance standards. To make the wetted parts compatible with aggressive fluids, all red metals have been removed and replaced with plastics and/or 316SS. BMF Meters are available in both hot and cold versions, in sizes ranging from 2” to 8”. The only cavaet when considering a BMF Series Flow Meter is the lead-time. Because we don’t stock any of the BMF Meters, lead-times can be as much as 7-10 weeks.

WP/Dynamic Recap

  • WP/D meters (Cold, Hot & BMF) are mechanical flanged turbine meters equipped with customer’s choice of ANSI 150lb or DIN PN-16 Flange Drillings.
  • Cold Water Meters are rated to 122°F/50°C
  • Hot Water Meters are rated to 266°F/130°C
  • Available in sizes ranging from 1-1/2” to 12” (BMF 2” to 8” only)
  • Register options include US Gallons and Cubic Meters.
  • Meters can be mounted horizontally, vertical-up or any angle in between  (as shown to the right). Vertical down applications are not advised.
  • Large turndowns allow for measurement of very low flows while maintaining standard maximum flows.
  • Minimum Straight Pipe requirements are an industry leading 3 pipe diameters upstream and none downstream. This compares to most similar meters which require a minimum of 15-20 Pipe Diameters upstream and half that much downstream.

Maintenance and Repairs
Meinecke‘s flanged propeller meters consist of two parts, the flanged body and the Internal Measuring Unit (IMU). The IMU is a modular part consisting of the propeller assembly, register and the transmission/counting mechanism.An Introduction to Meinecke ANSI Flanged, Mechanical Turbine Water Meters 7

Simply put, an IMU is everything but the body in a single, factory calibrated, modular part. Removal of the measuring element for cleaning, maintenance and/or replacement is a simple procedure which does not require skilled labor to complete and does not require the meter to be removed from the line.

Electronic Accessories – Pulsers, Frequency to Current Converters (Transmitter)

Water Management Systems require reliable data acquisition. The WP/Dynamic Series Meters offer two types of pulse outputs providing accurate, real time data acquisition.

REED Switch Type 01, Type 02
Low Frequency Pulsed Output

The REED 01 pulser is a 2-wire low frequency volt-free contact closure switch for use with the WPD Cold Water Meters. The REED 02 is the same as the 01, but designed for use with Hot Water meters.

The Reed Switch pulse is a magnetic on/off switch that makes and breaks an electric pulse contact per each unit of flow. Reed Pulsers are typically used as the standard input to flow counters, totalizers, etc. A reed switch is encapsulated in the counter and is switched by permanent magnets fitted within the counter mechanism. One note of caution… Continuous contact can occur when the water flow stops. Connected devices must be suitably protected.

OPTO Type 01, Type 02
High Frequency Pulsed Output

The Opto Sensor (infrared retro-reflective photocell) produces an electric pulse with high pulse-rate capacity. The pulse is transmitted to the FM1-D/K converter that enables instant flow-rate readout, pulse counting and/or a 4-20 mA output. The OPTO-01 is a 2-wire current switching device for use with WPD Cold Water meters; The OPTO-02 is for use with Hot Water meters.

Opto pulsers are normally used for conversion to analog signals, (4-20mA) or as inputs to high definition dosing/batching units. Light pulses are transmitted by an IR light diode onto a reflector wheel located inside the register assembly. The reflections are picked up by two detectors in the sensor head and processed electronically. The micro-electronics are located in a capsule within the cable.

FM1-D/K – Frequency to Current Converter
Remote Rate/Total Display, 4-20mA Transmitter

The FM-1D/K is a remote mount “Frequency to Current Converter” which converts the pulsed output from a WP/Dynamic Series meter equipped with an Opto style pulser into an analog 4-20mA signal, as well as a remote display of flow rate and total.

Most commonly asked Meinecke Meter questions:

  1. Can I get digital display in place of the mechanical register? No…
  2. What are the materials of construction? The body is an epoxy coated Cast Iron, the turbine assembly includs a PPO/PPS Turbine Assembly that includes Stainless Steel, Brass and other miscellanious Plastic components.
  3. Is the body available in 316SS? No
  4. Is the Rotor Assembly available in 316SS? No
  5. I understand that the register is a mechanical totalizer; Is it resettable? No
  6. Is the Factory Calibration (available upon request) NIST Traceable? No
  7. You mentioned that Brooks Instrument private labeled the WP-QF version of this meter at one time. Are parts and/or service available for the older WP-QF Meters? No… Parts for the older WP-QF meters were obsoleted by Meinecke in 2005. The timing was based on the factory running out of US Gallon Registers for the obsoleted WP-QF Series. Once they ran out of registers, production of all remaining parts was discontinued… Parts for today’s WP/Dynamic Series meters are not compatible with yesterday’s WP-QF meters.

Think of this product line as you would the paint color choices on a Model-T Ford… You can have it any color you want, as long as it’s Black! By that we mean that short of the register readings (US Gallons or Cubic Meters) and the flange drilling pattern, there are very few options available on this meter. That said, if it fits your application straight out of the box, the quality and durability of this old school product line would make it a great choice for your application.

Are you interested in learning more? Fill out our contact form with some details of your application and we’ll have a specialist get in touch! Also, learn more about Meinecke as a products and solutions provider for Cross.

See how our team can help improve quality, increase efficiency, and reduce risk.

Related Posts

Contact our Team

Hang Tight! We're Searching... Searching... Searching...

We’re looking through thousands of pages to find the most relevant information.

In the meantime, enjoy these fun facts…

Did you know… Cross Company is an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Our ESOP started in 1979 and as of 2006, we are 100% employee-owned! Learn more about our ESOP and how that benefits both team members and our customers.
Did you know... the precision measurement group at Cross was founded in 1939 by our current CEO's grandfather, Jim King. That's a whole lot of calibration!
Did you know... A fingerprint weighs about 50 micrograms. We know, we weighed it! The residue left from a finger can actually make a difference in weight results which is why we wear gloves when we calibrate weights. For reference, a sheet of paper is about 4.5 grams, that’s 4.5 million micrograms.
Did you know… Cross Company has grown significantly since our start in 1954. Over the years we've acquired 26 companies! Today, our five groups have expertise in everything from industrial automation to precision measurement, and industry knowledge going all the way back to 1939.