Clamp‑on ultrasonic flow meters for fast, non‑invasive measurement
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.
Ultrasonic flow meters selection guide: TFX 500w vs TFX 5000 vs DXN 5P
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".
Core specifications (quick comparison)
Pipe size envelope
- TFX 500w: ½″…10″ (DN15…DN250)
- TFX 5000: ½″…48″ (DN15…DN1200)
- DXN 5P: ½″…48″ (DN15…DN1200) with multiple transducer kits
Accuracy (typical)
- TFX 500w: ±1% of reading (model/size dependent)
- TFX 5000: up to ±0.5% of reading ±0.025 ft/s (0.008 m/s) on medium/large pipes; ±1% on small pipes
- DXN 5P: up to ±0.5% ±0.025 ft/s (0.008 m/s) (application/transducer dependent)
Liquid suitability
- TFX 500w: clean water (potable, reclaimed, chiller/boiler/condenser water) with small solids/air.
- TFX 5000: clean liquids and those with small solids/aeration (e.g., surface water, raw sewage) plus heat/energy models with dual RTDs.
- DXN 5P: hybrid automatically chooses transit time (clean) or Doppler (with bubbles/solids); ideal when conditions vary or are unknown.
Temperature envelope (electronics/liquid with appropriate transducers)
- TFX 500w: 40…+250 °F (≈ 40…+121 °C)
- TFX 5000: 40…+350 °F (≈ 40…+177 °C)
- DXN 5P: up to 40…+250 °F (≈ 40…+121 °C) (kit dependent)
Communications & logging
- TFX 500w: Modbus RTU / BACnet MS/TP, BEACON®/AquaCUE® connectivity; setup via keypad or SoloCUE®; compact enclosure with display.
- TFX 5000: adds Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet/IP, EtherNet/IP, data log up to 8 records, SoloCUE® over USB; rugged aluminium enclosure; energy models available.
- DXN 5P: big on data logging (multi parameter), Bluetooth® to SoloCUE app; USB, and optional RTDs for thermal energy; mains/DC/battery operation .
Approvals & options
- TFX 500w: BACnet BTL, ordinary location (FM/CE); compact IP66 type enclosure (spec variant).
- TFX 5000: broad approvals including CSA (ordinary & hazardous location) and MCERTS; remote/integral mounting; multiple transducer families for small→large pipework.
- DXN 5P: factory calibrated; portable kits for small/large/Doppler/energy; designed for quick set up by one person.
When to choose which
- Choose TFX 500w when you need a budget friendly, BACnet/Modbus enabled water meter (e.g., campus HVAC, building services) up to 10″ without process interruption.
- Choose TFX 5000 for industrial duties, larger pipes, higher temperatures, energy (BTU/kWh) metering, or where advanced Ethernet protocols or hazardous area options may be required.
- Choose DXN 5P for temporary surveys, meter verification, diagnostics (entrained air/solids), commissioning, or when you need to move between sites and capture logs & energy data.
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.
Ask the team
01953 609930
