{"id":441,"date":"2023-04-23T15:28:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-23T15:28:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/kobold\/?p=441"},"modified":"2023-05-05T00:19:34","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T00:19:34","slug":"flow-indicators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kobold.vn\/en\/flow-indicators\/","title":{"rendered":"Flow Indicators"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is a Flow Indicator?<\/h2>\n

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The term \u201cflow indicator\u201d is used for a few different elements in the industrial instrumentation world. It is helpful to be aware of the differences because if you don\u2019t understand them, it can make finding the right device for your needs more difficult.<\/p>\n

The most traditional usage of the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d is to refer to a device that does not measure the flow rate. Nor does it monitor the flow rate in the sense that it can provide switching capabilities. It simply provides verification that flow is occurring. In essence, it answers the question \u201cis flow happening, yes or no?\u201d. It generally does not provide any data on the flow, although most models enable direct viewing of the media inside. KOBOLD uses the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d to refer to this class of flow instrumentation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Uses<\/p>\n

Another usage of the term \u201cflow Indicator\u201d would more accurately termed as a \u201cflow meter with a mechanical indicator\u201d. This is a flow meter that does provide the measurement of flow rate and displays the rate on a mechanical indicator. Typically, these are pointer \u201carms\u201d that are on a pivot point that rotate up with an increase in the flow rate. A corresponding scale is on the faceplate and the pointer arm points to the flow rate on the scale.<\/p>\n

Another usage of the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d can be a flow meter that also provides a visual indication of the flow. These are typically variable area flow meters, also known as rotameters, that employ a clear glass or plastic tube and an internal float as the measuring principle. Because the tube is transparent, the flow can also be verified visually as you can see if the float has been moved up in the tube and is no longer seated at the bottom of the tube, as it would be if there was no flow present. Certain variable area flow meters can also give an indication of the flow conditions as well because the media can be seen through a sight glass.<\/p>\n

Sometimes the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d is used interchangeably with the term \u201cflow meter\u201d because the flow meter provides an \u201cindication\u201d of the flow rate either through mechanical, digital, or other output means. This is not as common of a usage for the term.<\/p>\n

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What Does a Flow Indicator Do?<\/h2>\n
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For purposes of our discussion and how we classify our products, we will be using the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d for the devices that simply let us know if flow is occurring. Flow indicators signal if flow is occurring within the piping system as most piping systems are not transparent to allow direct observation. Verifying flow requires a mechanism of some kind that is inserted into the piping system as a \u201cwindow\u201d and provides a visual cue as to what is going on inside.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How Does a Flow Indicator Work?<\/h2>\n
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How a flow indicator works depends on which manner of indication that it is providing. All types of flow indicators function on the same simple principle. Flow through the devices generally moves something or sometimes nothing, in the case of a simple sight glass. Typically, the flow moves a ball or spins a paddle wheel. Flaps, chains, and other less common moving mechanisms are also used. If no mechanism is present at all, then the flow can still be verified by looking closely at the glass tube to see if there is flow happening. The advantages to a flow indicator with a moving mechanism is that they can be seen from much further away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

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How Do You Read a Flow Indicator?<\/h2>\n
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Unless you are using the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d to refer to a \u201cflow meter\u201d, you do not \u201cread\u201d a flow indicator. You can view it to see if flow is occurring, but there is nothing to \u201cread\u201d as an indicator does not provide a flow rate measurement to \u201cread\u201d. You typically view a flow indicator for indication that flow is occurring by verifying movement of the indication mechanism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the Difference between Flow Indicators, Flow Meters, Flow Transmitters, Flow Switches, Flow Sensors, and Flow Restrictors?<\/h2>\n
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Now that we have seen the different ways that the term \u201cflow indicator\u201d can be used, it is worth noting the other classes of flow instrumentation to ensure that you are searching for the right type of flow instrumentation.<\/p>\n

To help further clarify which type of instrumentation is needed for your application, below is a general listing of most flow instrumentation, from simplest to most complex, with a brief description.<\/p>\n