BUYER'S GUIDE
What is a Permanent Ultrasonic Flow Meter?
A permanent clamp on ultrasonic flow meter is a fixed system installed on a single pipe for long term flow monitoring. It uses the same transit time method as portable units, but the sensors and transmitter stay in one place and provide continuous data. The sensors mount on the outside of the pipe, so the line stays intact and the system keeps running during installation. Once set, the meter delivers ongoing flow information for operations, energy tracking, and system performance.
When would you chose a Permanent Clamp On Flow Meter?
A permanent clamp on system makes sense when you need steady, dependable flow data and shutting down the line is not realistic. It is used on chilled water, hot water, condenser water, process water, and many industrial lines that are difficult to access or cannot come offline. Since the sensors stay on the outside of the pipe, the approach works well on older systems where internal pipe condition would complicate an inline install.
Permanent systems are useful when a site needs continuous logging, trending, or integration with building automation or SCADA. A fixed transmitter can send analog signals, pulse outputs, or digital data depending on the controller it ties into. The system stays in place and records flow around the clock, which makes it easier to catch changes in load, shifts in pump performance, or imbalances in large distribution systems. If the project involves energy calculations, the meter can pair with temperature inputs to track thermal energy use over time.
Advantages of Clamp on Flow Technology
- No process shutdown
- No pipe cutting or welding
- Zero pressure loss
- Works on a wide range of pipe sizes
- Suitable for clean and lightly aerated liquids
- Easy to maintain since sensors are external
- Long service life with stable readings
- Integrates with most building and plant systems
- Useful for long term trending and audits
- Lower installed cost than many inline options
Permanent Clamp On Flow Meters
Micronics U1000 Clamp on Ultrasonic Flow Meter
The U1000 is a fixed clamp on flow meter for sites that need continuous flow information without cutting into the pipe. It installs on the outside of the line and stays in place long term, giving steady readings for everyday water and building services work. It is used on hot water, chilled water, potable water, demineralised water, and general process water in building services and energy management applications.
Technicians choose the U1000 when they want the simplicity of clamp on measurement but need a permanent solution rather than a portable tool. It is a good fit for applications where the system must stay online, and where dry servicing and minimal downtime matter. Once installed, it provides ongoing flow rate and total flow for monitoring, trending, and linking into management systems without interrupting the piping.
The U1000 works as a standalone meter or as part of a larger control or energy platform. It offers pulse output as standard, with optional Modbus or 4 to 20 milliamp outputs for sites that tie flow data into BAS or energy systems.
Wall Mount Option
The wall mount versions of the U1000 move the electronics off the pipe and onto a panel or wall, while keeping the clamp on sensors on the line. This setup is useful when the pipe is hard to reach or when the display needs to be accessible for regular viewing. The WM units handle the same applications as the pipe mounted versions but give technicians a cleaner installation and easier access to the controls and readout.
BACNet Option
The BACnet option allows the U1000 units to communicate directly with building automation systems. It uses BACnet MS/TP over RS485 and lets the meter share flow, temperature, and energy values with a BACnet client. This is useful when a facility wants meter data inside its main control system rather than reading it only at the device. BACnet is available on both pipe mount and wall mount flow and heat meters.
Micronics PF333-HM BTU / Heat ULTRASONIC FLOW Meter
The U1000HM is the heat and energy version of the U1000. It uses the same clamp on flow measurement but adds external PT100 temperature sensors to calculate heating or cooling energy. It stays fully outside the pipe, which makes it practical for hot water and chilled water circuits where the system cannot be opened. It provides flow, flow temperature, return temperature, energy rate, and totalised energy in one fixed unit.
This version is chosen when a site needs reliable hydronic energy data for boilers, chillers, or general building energy management. Because it sits permanently on the pipe and logs real time values, it supports ongoing efficiency checks, load monitoring, and energy reporting. Building services teams use it when they want a long term energy meter without installing an inline device or handling fluids.
Micronics U3300 Clamp on Ultrasonic Flow Meter
The U3300 is a fixed, wall mounted clamp on flow meter for sites that need steady, long term flow readings without cutting into the pipe. It installs on the outside of the line and provides continuous flow rate and total flow for a wide range of building services and industrial liquids, including hot water, chilled water, potable water, cooling water, water glycol mixtures, hydraulic oil, diesel, and other clean process fluids. It is built for permanent installation and routine plant monitoring.
Technicians choose the U3300 when they need a reliable fixed clamp on solution with simple setup and stable performance. It supports HVAC audits, meter checks, pump verification, boiler testing, leak detection, filter sizing, condensate work, and general flow monitoring. The wall mounted IP65 enclosure keeps the electronics accessible, while the external clamp on sensors stay secured to the pipe for long term operation.
This flow only version is the right fit when a site needs continuous flow data but does not require energy measurement. It offers pulse output and optional Modbus integration, and its onboard data logging stores large volumes of time stamped flow information for trending and system analysis.
Micronics U3300-HM BTU / Heat ULTRASONIC FLOW Meter
The U3300-HM builds on the U3300 platform by adding external PT100 temperature sensors for measuring flow and return temperatures. With those inputs, the meter calculates heating or cooling energy while the entire system remains fully outside the pipe. It provides continuous flow, temperature, delta T, energy rate, and totalised energy for permanent hydronic monitoring.
This version is used for long term boiler and chiller checks, hydronic load tracking, energy reporting, and HVAC troubleshooting. Because it is wall mounted and noninvasive, it fits mechanical rooms and plant environments where uptime and easy servicing matter. The clamp on temperature sensors allow the meter to capture energy data without installing inline thermowells or breaking into the system.
The U3300-HM includes the full high capacity data logger found in the base model. It stores up to 100 million points and exports both flow and energy values through USB for audits or trend work. It is the right choice when a facility needs permanent clamp on flow measurement and full hydronic energy data in a single fixed installation.
Typical Use Applications
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