BUYER'S GUIDE
What is a Portable Ultrasonic Flow Meter?
A portable ultrasonic flow meter is a handheld instrument that measures flow from the outside of a pipe. It uses ultrasonic signals that travel through the pipe wall and the moving fluid. By comparing how long the signal takes to travel with the flow and against it, the meter calculates velocity and then flow rate.
Portable units are designed for short term or temporary use. Technicians carry them into the field when they need to verify an existing meter, troubleshoot a system, collect study data, or measure flow in a location that does not have a permanent flow meter installed. These units clamp to the pipe surface, pair with a sensor set, and begin reading within minutes.
When would you chose Portable Clamp On Technology?
A portable clamp on meter is the go to tool when you need flow data in more than one place and you cannot justify installing a permanent system. It is used for quick spot checks, troubleshooting, system balancing, pump verification, and short term studies where you carry the instrument from line to line. Since the sensors mount on the outside of the pipe, you can work on active systems without cutting in or taking anything offline.
You will see portable units in water, wastewater, HVAC, municipal work, and general industrial service. They are helpful on jobs with many test points or limited access. A portable system handles a wide range of pipe sizes and materials, and depending on the model, it can measure clean liquids as well as some lightly aerated or dirty liquids. It gives you the flexibility to get readings wherever the problem or the question happens to be.
Advantages of Clamp on Flow Technology
-
No process shutdown
-
No pipe cutting or welding
-
Zero pressure loss
-
Fast installation time
-
Safe for hazardous or high pressure lines
-
Moves easily between locations
-
Works on large pipe sizes
-
Suitable for temporary or permanent monitoring
-
Leaves no contamination risk for potable water or clean systems
-
Reduces overall installed cost compared to many inline meters
Portable Clamp On Flow Meters
Micronics PF222 Clamp on Ultrasonic Flow Meter
The PF222 is a straightforward portable clamp on flow meter for quick spot checks and short term work. You carry it to the line, clamp on the sensors, enter the pipe details, and it gives you live flow readings within minutes. It is a good fit for everyday field jobs like checking pumps, confirming system flow, doing balance work, or verifying a meter that does not look right. It is built for clean liquids and common process fluids and is often used across HVAC, water, and general plant service.
Because it does not include logging or energy functions, the PF222 stays simple and focused. You get reliable flow measurement in a compact portable meter without extra features you may not need. It is the grab and go option in the Portaflow line.
Micronics PF333 Clamp on Ultrasonic Flow Meter
The PF333 takes the same basic clamp on setup as the PF222 but adds more capability. It is still a portable, easy to move tool, but it includes a built in data logger and the ability to download that data to a USB drive. This makes it useful when a job requires trending, documenting system behavior, or reviewing readings over time.
The PF333 covers the same types of applications as the PF222, like HVAC, plant service, and water work, but it gives you a better window into how a system changes throughout the day. It is the better choice when you need both live readings and a record of what happened while you were off site or checking other points.
PF333-HM BTU / Heat ULTRASONIC FLOW Meter
The PF333HM is the PF333 with added heat and energy measurement. It uses clamp on temperature sensors along with the flow reading to calculate heating or cooling load, which is useful for boiler checks, chiller studies, and general hydronic audits. It keeps everything external to the pipe, so you can work on active systems without interruption.
This version is chosen when a job requires both flow and energy information in one portable setup. It gives technicians a way to measure delta T, energy rate, and totalised energy while still having all the flow logging features of the standard PF333.
Typical Use Applications
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3