What are the common faults of dry water meters

Due to their structural design and application environment, dry-type water meters can experience a variety of malfunctions during operation. Understanding these common malfunctions and their causes is crucial to ensuring proper meter operation and improving meter accuracy.

Mechanical sticking
Mechanical sticking is one of the most common malfunctions of dry-type water meters. Due to long-term operation, the impeller or gear train within the dry-type water meter is susceptible to the effects of impurities, silt, and rust particles in the water, leading to mechanical component sticking. This sticking causes the impeller to rotate sluggishly, resulting in stagnant or abnormally low meter readings.

In addition, colloids and sediment in the water can adhere to the mechanical components, increasing friction and further exacerbating the sticking problem. Mechanical sticking not only affects metering accuracy but can also accelerate component wear and shorten the meter's lifespan.

Electronic sensor failure
Modern dry-type water meters often utilize electronic sensor technology for metering, and sensor failure is a common problem in electronic dry-type water meters. Sensor damage, poor contact, or short circuits can lead to abnormal signal acquisition, resulting in lost or inaccurate metering data.

Electronic interference, humid environments, and prolonged periods of low battery power can all affect sensor stability. Aging electronic components and manufacturing defects can also cause sensor failure, resulting in the meter not displaying water usage correctly.

Abnormal metering errors
Abnormal metering errors manifest as significantly higher or lower meter readings. Various factors can cause these errors, including incorrect flow direction installation, air bubbles in pipes, and insufficient meter sensitivity at low flow rates.
Incorrect flow direction can cause water to flow in the opposite direction, preventing the metering device from responding correctly. Air bubbles or unstable water flow increase metering fluctuations and reduce metering accuracy. Dry-type water meters are sensitive to flow rate and pressure, affecting metering performance. Errors are particularly pronounced at very low flow rates.

Casing Leakage and Seal Failure
The casing of a dry-type water meter is designed to prevent water from intruding into the meter. However, leakage often occurs due to aging seals, loose installation, or external impact. Leakage not only harms the internal mechanical and electronic components but can also cause more serious electrical failures or mechanical damage.
Seal failure compromises the meter's overall protection level and reduces its durability. Chronic leakage can also cause corrosion in surrounding pipes, increasing maintenance costs.

Abnormal display or malfunction
Common malfunctions include garbled characters, no display, or erratic flickering on the digital display of a water meter. Display failures are typically caused by low batteries, aging circuit boards, or loose connections.
Display abnormalities prevent users from accurately reading water usage data, impacting billing and monitoring. Some dry-type water meters use LCD or e-ink displays, which are susceptible to temperature fluctuations and humidity, resulting in sluggish or incomplete display.

Inadequate frost resistance causes damage
In cold regions, water meters are susceptible to frost cracking. While dry-type water meters offer some frost resistance due to their dry movement, if installed in an environment exposed to low temperatures and uninsulated pipes, ice can still form and expand, damaging the internal structure.
Frost cracking not only affects metering functionality but can also cause leaks. Preventing frost damage requires a combination of installation location selection and winter insulation measures.

False alarms and missed alarms
Dry-type water meters experience false alarms or missed alarms, indicating that user water usage does not match the meter display. False alarms are often caused by excessive friction between mechanical components or sensor anomalies, while missed alarms are often caused by a stuck metering device or a malfunctioning electronic module.
Abnormal water consumption statistics affect user bill payments and water management, potentially leading to financial disputes. Promptly diagnosing the causes of false alarms and missed alarms and performing repairs or component replacements is crucial.

External Mechanical Damage
Dry-type water meters are susceptible to external mechanical shock or vibration during installation and use. Pipeline construction, improper handling, or accidental impact can cause deformation of the meter housing or loosening of internal components.
Mechanical damage can cause metering anomalies or even complete failure. Water meters should be installed in a dedicated meter box to avoid direct external forces.

Battery Life and Power Supply Issues
Most electronic dry-type water meters rely on internal batteries for power. Battery life is limited, and low battery levels can cause metering interruptions or data loss.
Delayed battery replacement is a common malfunction risk. Some high-end water meters feature low-power designs and remote battery status monitoring to reduce the risk of failures due to battery issues.