How to address improper operation or incorrect installation of flow meters

　　Electromagnetic flowmeters, vortex flowmeters, and turbine flowmeters frequently encounter malfunctions in routine operation, including operator errors, environmental interference, and equipment defects; cavitation and liquid–gas bubbles or gas condensation; as well as wear and deposition. Such issues often result in the inability to perform accurate flow measurements or in measurement failure.

　　Users often assess the accuracy of flowmeter measurements by comparing them with material balances from the process system, historical measurement data, or reference flow‑rate readings. However, beyond visual inspection and verification of the flow‑meter’s specifications, and aside from a few obvious errors—such as incorrect commissioning settings—the majority of cases require confirmation that the meter’s physical condition is normal.

　　Poor operation and improper equipment installation are most commonly:

　　1) The sharp edge of the orifice plate is not installed on the upward-facing surface.

　　2) The inner diameter of the sealing gasket, d_g, is smaller than both the pipe’s inner diameter, d_p, and its outer diameter, d_m, resulting in a flow constriction; therefore, d_g should be slightly larger than d_m, as specified.

　　3) The flow meter is installed in the wrong direction.

　　These defects are well known and should be avoided by appearance‑focused manufacturers. However, due to inadequate training, a lack of common sense, and insufficient attention to these issues, such errors remain all too common.

　　Although a sealing gasket with an inner diameter that is too small or a damaged fitting may have little or no impact on flow measurements for volumetric, float‑type, Coriolis mass‑flow, and similar meters, it will increase the rated pressure drop.