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Premier Control Technologies Fluid Solutions

Ultrasonic flow meters

PCT supplies Dynasonics® clamp‑on ultrasonic meters that install without cutting or tapping the pipe—ideal for retrofit projects where downtime isn’t an option. Choose TFX‑500w for clean‑water duties up to 10″; step up to TFX‑5000 for wider pipe sizes, heat/energy metering, and industrial protocols; or use the DXN‑5P portable hybrid for meter verification, diagnostics and temporary studies across sites. All models deliver bi‑directional flow, rich data logging and UK‑friendly integration via BACnet and Modbus, with Ethernet options where needed.

Comparing Ultrasonic Flow Meter Technologies

Model SeriesPipe Size EnvelopeTypical AccuracyLiquid SuitabilityKey Communication Protocols
Dynasonics TFX-500w½″ to 10″ (DN15–DN250)±1% of readingClean water duties (HVAC, building services, chilled/hot water lines)Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, BEACON, AquaCUE
Dynasonics TFX-5000½″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200)Up to ±0.5% of reading (medium/large pipes)Clean to lightly aerated/soiled liquids (surface water, raw sewage, energy metering)Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet/IP, EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP
Dynasonics DXN-5P (Portable)½″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200)Up to ±0.5% ±0.025 ft/sHybrid tracking: Automatically switches between Transit Time (clean) and Doppler (bubbles/solids)Bluetooth to SoloCUE app, USB, Modbus data transfer connectivity

Ultrasonic flow meters selection guide

What they are best at

  • TFX 500w — Cost effective clean water applications (HVAC/building services, chilled/hot water, make up water) on pipes ½"...10"; rapid retrofit with BACnet/Modbus options.
  • TFX 5000 — Versatile, industrial clamp on for clean to lightly aerated/soiled liquids; options for energy (heat/cool) measurement, wider pipe sizes ½"...48", advanced industrial protocols, and hazardous area variants.
  • DXN 5P — Portable hybrid (transit time and Doppler) for troubleshooting, verification and temporary metering; adds Bluetooth®, big data logging and optional thermal energy with clamp on RTDs. Pipe sizes ½"...48".

FAQs for Ultrasonic (Clamp On) Flow Meters and the above models

They use transit time: two external transducers send/receive ultrasound both with and against the flow; the time of flight difference yields velocity and hence volumetric flow. (DXN 5P can also use Doppler when bubbles/solids are present.)
TFX 500w targets clean water on ½″…10″ pipes with ±1% typical accuracy and BACnet/Modbus over RS 485. TFX 5000 covers ½″…48″, adds energy models, EtherNet/IP/Modbus TCP/BACnet/IP, harsher environments, and can achieve ±0.5% (size/transducers dependent).
Use DXN 5P for temporary measurements, verification of existing meters, commissioning, troubleshooting entrained air/solids, or short term energy studies; keep it in the toolbox and redeploy as needed.
Clamp on ultrasonics work on most sonically conductive rigid pipes (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, copper, PVC, HDPE). Always confirm the transducer set and couplant for the material and size.
No—clamp on means no cutting or tapping, so you avoid downtime, pressure loss and leak paths; installation is typically quick with the line live.
  • TFX 500w: typically ±1% of reading on water (size dependent).
  • TFX 5000: up to ±0.5% on medium/large pipes (±1% on small).
  • DXN 5P: up to ±0.5% ±0.025 ft/s (0.008 m/s).
Yes: TFX 5000 energy versions with dual clamp on RTDs compute heat gain/loss; DXN 5P can add clamp on RTDs for temporary energy audits.
  • TFX 500w: BACnet MS/TP, Modbus RTU (RS 485), BEACON®/AquaCUE®.
  • TFX 5000: adds Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet/IP, EtherNet/IP.
  • DXN 5P: Bluetooth® to SoloCUE app, USB, and Modbus connectivity for data transfer.
TFX 5000 tolerates small amounts of suspended solids/aeration (e.g., raw sewage, surface water). DXN 5P can automatically switch to Doppler for fluids with bubbles/solids during diagnostics.
Match pipe OD, wall thickness, material, temperature, and flow regime. Your PCT team uses a formal spec checklist to size the meter/transducers correctly for UK/IE sites.

Help and advice

A member of our team will be happy to assist with any questions you may have.

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