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Our UKAS accredited laboratory in South
Wales (UK) is recognised as one of the foremost of its kind in the world
and is one of a few accredited testing and
calibration laboratories for water meters.
WRc-NSF Water Meter Services are
accredited to test to standards ISO 4064, EN
14154 and
OIML R49 and our flow test equipment can
be used for many other testing applications including research and
development work.
Flow Test Equipment and Test Rigs
Our accredited facilities include flow test rigs that utilise a
gravimetric system to accurately weigh water that has passed through the
meters undergoing test. The tests can be operated at a range of
flowrates from 0 – 2000 litres/min (120m3/hr).
Accurate measurement of the water density then enables the
precise calculation of the volume of water passed through the meter.
All instrumentation used is traceable to national standards.
Both displacement and velocity type
meters can be tested at this laboratory.
The facility includes:
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Small Meter Test Rig
for calibrating domestic and light industrial positive displacement
water meters. This rig can
accommodate positive displacement meters up to 25mm in diameter and can
test up to 40 meters simultaneously.
The low sensitivity of positive displacement meters to flow
disturbance means that they can be batched together and checked
utilising a standing start and stop test method.
This enables the testing of large batches of identical size and
class of meter, which can be calibrated at a low unit cost.
Both in-line and concentric meters can be calibrated.
For turbine meters or other flow meters that are sensitive to flow
disturbance, such as single or multi jet meters, the test rig also
utilises a flying start and stop test method to check the accuracy of a
meter whilst it is continuously running.
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Large
Meter Test Rig
for calibrating industrial and leak detection meters.
The rig can accommodate meters of 30mm up to and including 100mm
in diameter. This test rig
makes use of a standing start and stop method.
For larger diameter meters contact
andy.godley@wrcplc.co.uk
Assessment Service for Meters in Dispute
A service is offered for verifying meters that are in dispute.
For revenue meters the local water supplier should be notified if
the performance of the meter is under suspicion.
WRc-NSF Ltd evaluates meters under dispute for many of the water
supply companies as part of an independent arbitration service and a
report can be provided which includes all the data.
Meters ranging from the smallest domestic water meter up to 100mm
industrial size meters can be evaluated.
Dispute meters are generally tested to BS 5728 or ISO 4064,
‘Measurement of flow of Cold Potable Water in Closed Conduits’ and
results compared to the maximum permissible errors as specified in 'The
Measuring Instruments (Cold-water Meters) Regulations 2006', unless
directed otherwise by the client.
A standard seven-point accuracy check is usually conducted, but
alternative flowrates and repeatability checks can be carried out in
accordance with customer requirements.
Specialist Meter Testing
WRc-NSF Ltd can offer many specialist meter testing services to users
and suppliers alike. Our
facilities have the capacity to test flow equipment in a wide range of
operating conditions that they may experience during service.
The versatility and traceability of the flow test rigs make them
ideal for meter trials, research and development work.
Examples of work that has been undertaken include:
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Study of vortex
behaviour and flow disturbance
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Endurance
(accelerated wear) testing
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Pressure drop
testing
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Static magnetic
field testing
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Cyclic pressure
testing
As a UKAS accredited laboratory
our meter calibration instrumentation ensures the highest levels of
accuracy. The test rigs are
operated by experienced and highly skilled technicians to ensure that
our customers receive the best possible service.
Approval Service
Our accredited calibration laboratory is one of only two such
laboratories in the UK that can carry out type-approval testing and
calibration of water meters.
We work in close collaboration with the
National Measurement Office (NMO) who certify meters for Pattern
Approval and Type Approval on the basis of our test results.
Since the 30th October 2006 all new water meters that are to be used for
legal purposes require certification under the
Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) 2004/22/EC.
This applies to both electronic and mechanical water meters,
which are intended for the measurement of volumes of clean, cold or
heated water in residential, commercial or light industrial use.
This European Directive aims to harmonise the regulations and
classifications in the area of metering across Europe creating a single
market in measuring instruments for the benefit of manufacturers and,
ultimately, consumers. It
replaces all previous European directives and national regulations and
now makes it necessary for new design water meters to meet the
requirements of standard EN 14154 and/or
recommendation OIML R49.
For more information on the metrological requirements for MID
Approval testing see leaflet.
WRc-NSF Ltd can also test meters to establish whether they satisfy the
UK Water Regulations requirements.
The results of these tests can be reported to the Water
Regulations Advisory Scheme for acceptance of the meter by the water
industry as meeting the requirements of the water fittings regulations.
For further information about WRAS
Approval contact
jonathan.davies@wrcnsf.com
To discuss your flow metering and testing requirements contact
andrea.jones@wrcnsf.com
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