How do magnetic flowmeters actually work?

The Accelerating Growth of Electromagnetic Flowmeters

The electromagnetic flowmeter market is booming, and companies involved in the development and production of these products have seen significant increases in profits due to rising demand. Market trends indicate that these figures will continue to rise in the coming years. Significant technological advancements have made these products more reliable and accurate, supporting a wider range of applications.

How do magnetic flowmeters actually work?

These electromagnetic flowmeters utilize Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction to measure the rate at which a liquid flows through a pipe. They generate a magnetic field and transmit it to the conductive liquid, thereby measuring flow rate. As the conductive liquid passes through the magnetic field, a voltage signal is generated. This signal is then picked up by the device's electrodes, which detect the strength of the voltage signal and use this value to calculate the flow rate in the pipe.

The Introduction of Direct Current

The flow rate of the liquid determines the voltage generated. When these devices were first invented, alternating current (AC) was the preferred method for generating the magnetic field. AC meters require little adjustment and can tolerate noise. The advent of direct current (DC) in 1974 revolutionized the development of these devices.

So, they invented the pulsed DC meter, initially designed to replace noisy AC motors. It quickly gained popularity and remains the flowmeter of choice today, dominating the electromagnetic flowmeter market. Recent technological advances have resulted in higher-strength DC electromagnetic flowmeters. These produce stronger signals while maintaining lower noise levels than older generation flowmeters.

The following are some of the advantages of using full-bore electromagnetic flowmeters.

For these reasons, these meters are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for companies looking to replace outdated DP or differential pressure, turbine, and positive displacement meters in many different applications.

Why are electromagnetic flowmeters replacing DP flowmeters?

Differential pressure flowmeters rely on a primary element to produce an accurate flow measurement. These essential elements are more susceptible to wear over time, leading to inaccurate readings and reducing the meter's measurement accuracy. Newer, more accurate electromagnetic flowmeters do not have a primary element. Therefore, they do not suffer from the long-term wear and tear that can cause inaccuracies in electromagnetic flowmeters. In addition to long-term inaccuracies, DC flowmeters can also cause pressure loss, a problem you don't have to worry about with an electromagnetic flowmeter.

Why choose a magnetic flowmeter?

When comparing electromagnetic flowmeters to turbine or positive displacement flowmeters, their primary advantage lies in the lack of moving parts in the primary flowmeter sensor. Any device with moving parts is subject to wear and tear, making it less reliable than a flowmeter without them. A longer-lasting measurement method is safer and more economical in the long run. For this reason, electromagnetic flowmeters are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for users seeking a solution for measuring conductive liquids. The flow tubes used in electromagnetic flowmeters have been tested and proven to be extremely durable, making them less susceptible to degradation.

In short, electromagnetic flowmeters offer a more reliable and stable solution for long-term measurement of conductive liquids because they have no moving parts requiring short-term maintenance or replacement. This is a key reason why electromagnetic flowmeters are increasingly replacing older, outdated measurement devices. Electromagnetic flowmeters have become the preferred water meter of choice in Europe and are widely installed in food processing plants and paper mills across the continent.

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Automation Instruments offers digital electromagnetic flowmeters that are affordable, reliable, and available with fast delivery.