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Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter

Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter

The CS-3300 series Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter is used together with a measuring weir or flume to measure the flow of water in an open channel. It is mainly used for sewage-treatment plants, the sewage-discharge outlets of enterprises and institutions, urban sewers, and irrigation channels in farmland water-conservancy projects.

It can directly display instantaneous flow and cumulative flow, with built-in EEPROM memory that retains data after a power failure. The measurement result is not affected by water quality, and multiple built-in algorithms support a wide range of standard weirs and flumes. Optional communication interfaces allow easy connection to DCS / cloud systems for remote monitoring.

The CS-3300 is available in three styles to suit different installation conditions: Integrated, Split, and Dual-Probe.

Besides this weir/flume-based meter, Sino-Inst also offers other open channel flow meters — including the non-contact radar flow meter and the no-weir ultrasonic Doppler flow meter — for open channel and river flow measurement.

Features

3 Types

1. Integrated (CS-3300-I)

The transmitter and ultrasonic probe are built into a single unit with no probe cable. Housing options: large ABS enclosure, or explosion-proof cast-aluminum enclosure. Best for compact installations where the display can sit at the measuring point.

2. Split (CS-3300-S)

The transmitter and probe are separate, connected by cable (standard 10 m, customizable up to 50 m). ABS enclosure. Best when the display needs to be located away from the measuring point.

3. Dual-Probe (CS-3300-D)

Uses two 100 kHz transducers in a transmit-and-receive arrangement — one probe transmits while the other receives — achieving a very small blind zone (as low as 0.08 m). Ideal for small spaces and short-range / small-blind-zone measurement.

Integrated Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter
Split Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter
Dual-Probe Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter

Technical Parameters

ParameterIntegratedSplitDual-Probe
TypeIntegratedSplitDual-probe (one transmits, one receives)
Measuring principle / probeSingle ultrasonic probe; 100 kHz M48×2 for Parshall #1–9 (range 2 m, blind 13–15 cm); 64 kHz M48×2 for #10–25 (range 3 m, blind 30–40 cm)Same as integratedDual 100 kHz transducers; blind zone as low as 0.08 m
Measuring range0.1 L/s – 99,999.99 m³/h (set by weir/flume type)0.1 L/s – 99,999.99 m³/h (set by weir/flume type)Level 0.08 – 1 m
Cumulative flowMax 4,290,000,000.00 m³Max 4,290,000,000.00 m³
Max level range2 / 3 / 5 / 10 m (larger on request)2 / 3 / 5 / 10 m (larger on request)0.08 – 1 m
Level / measuring accuracy0.5%0.5%0.5% FS – 1% FS
Resolution3 mm or 0.1% (whichever is greater)3 mm or 0.1% (whichever is greater)1 mm
Flow accuracyParshall & triangular weir (GB): 1–5%; rectangular weir (GB): 10%; non-standard: 10–50%Same as integrated
DisplayLCDLCDLCD (12864, with / without backlight)
Analog output4-wire 4–20 mA / 510 Ω load4-wire 4–20 mA / 510 Ω load4–20 mA default (RS485 or relay optional)
Relay output2 optional, AC250V/5A or DC30V/5A, status configurable2 optional, AC250V/5A or DC30V/5A, status configurableRelay output optional
CommunicationRS485 / RS232 optionalRS485 / RS232 optionalRS485 optional (4G / NB-IoT on request)
Power supply220VAC ±15% 50Hz, or 24VDC (12VDC optional)220VAC ±15% 50Hz, or 24VDC (12VDC optional)12 – 26 VDC (avg. power 1.5 W)
Operating temperatureMeter -20 – +60 ℃; probe -20 – +80 ℃Meter -20 – +60 ℃; probe -20 – +80 ℃-20 – +60 ℃
Process temperature-20 – +80 ℃-20 – +80 ℃
Protection gradeMeter IP65; probe IP68Meter IP65; probe IP68Transducer IP68; meter IP65
Probe cableNone (integrated)Standard 10 m (extendable to 50 m; after extension a larger-range probe may be required)20 m
Probe / sensor materialABS standard; anti-corrosion material for corrosive mediaABS standard; anti-corrosion material for corrosive mediaSensor: POM
Transmitter / housing materialTransmitter ABS (PL) or aluminum (AL); large ABS or explosion-proof cast-aluminum enclosureABS enclosureMain housing 304 stainless steel / ABS (316 customizable)
MountingBracket / flange / top-thread hoistingBracket / flange / top-thread hoistingBracket mounting

Flow Range by Weir / Flume Type

1. Parshall Flume

No.Flow minFlow maxChannel ≥ W×H (mm)h min (mm)h max (mm)nC
01#0.3 t/h19.4 t/h200×250152101.550217
02#0.6 t/h47.5 t/h250×300152401.550435
03#2.8 t/h115.6 t/h300×600303301.550638
04#5.4 t/h399.6 t/h450×800304501.5401372
05#9.0 t/h903.6 t/h600×1000306001.5301927
06#12.6 t/h1440.0 t/h1000×1200307501.5212444
07#16.2 t/h2268.0 t/h1200×1200307501.5373737
08#45.0 t/h3060.0 t/h1400×1200507501.5485051

Critical submergence — 01#–03# = 0.5; 04#–08# = 0.6.

2. Triangular Weir Groove (90° V-notch)

No.Flow minFlow maxChannel ≥ W×H (mm)n / C
01#020275×2202.5 / 5083
02#040360×2882.5 / 5083
03#080475×3802.5 / 5083
04#0121560×4482.5 / 5083
05#0182660×5282.5 / 5083
06#0272775×6202.5 / 5083
07#0395900×7202.5 / 5083
08#06161075×8602.5 / 5083

3. Rectangular Weir Groove

No.Flow minFlow maxChannel ≥ W×H (mm)n / C
01#0.0485500×5001.5 / 1280
02#0.05195650×6501.5 / 1660
03#0.08414750×7501.5 / 2406
04#0.10803850×8501.5 / 3318
05#0.1516621000×10001.5 / 4669
06#0.1933321250×12501.5 / 5886
07#0.2665041450×14501.5 / 8178
08#0.33126431800×18001.5 / 10344

Triangular and rectangular weir grooves can be made on site according to the channel size; the Parshall flume can be produced on site by the customer or supplied as a set. Consult customer service for other weir/flume model parameters.

Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter Order Guide

Build the complete model number by choosing one option from each position below, left to right. The style is the first position.

CS-3300 – ①Style – ②Range – ③Sensor housing – ④Thread – ⑤Mounting – ⑥Power/Ex – ⑦Relays – ⑧Output – ⑨Transmitter housing – ⑩Cable

PositionCodeOptions
① StyleI / IE / S / DI = Integrated, ABS;  IE = Integrated, explosion-proof cast-aluminum;  S = Split, ABS;  D = Dual-probe (twin 100 kHz, blind zone ≥0.08 m)
② Range01 / ~ / 1001 = 1 m;  ~ = 1–10 m;  10 = 10 m   (Dual-probe is fixed at 0.08–1 m)
③ Sensor housingA / F / VA = ABS;  F = PTFE;  V = PVDF
④ Thread (mount size)A / C / EA = M48×2;  C = M78×2;  E = G2″ thread
⑤ MountingA / B / CA = bracket;  B = flange;  C = top-thread hoisting
⑥ Power / Exsee 6.1Common: DCSP = 12 VDC;  DC = 24 VDC;  AC = 220 VAC (all non-Ex). Full explosion-proof codes in table 6.1 below.
⑦ RelaysR0 / R2R0 = none;  R2 = 2 relays
⑧ OutputMA / C2 / C4 …MA = 4–20 mA;  C2 = RS232;  C4 = RS485;  C2MA = 4–20mA+232;  C4MA = 4–20mA+485
⑨ Transmitter housingPL / ALPL = ABS;  AL = aluminum
⑩ Cable length00 / 01–5000 = none (integrated);  01 = 1 m … 50 = 50 m (split; 10 m standard)

Example:  CS-3300-S-10-A-A-A-AC-R2-C4MA-PL-10 = Split style, 10 m range, ABS sensor housing, M48×2 thread, bracket mounting, 220 VAC (non-Ex) power, 2 relays, 4–20 mA + RS485 output, ABS transmitter, 10 m cable.

Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meter Installation

1. Sensor Installation Principles

2. Open-Channel Requirements

3. Parshall Flume Installation Steps

4. Installation Precautions & Maintenance

Applications of Ultrasonic Open-Channel Flow Meters

  • Flow monitoring for farmland irrigation;
  • Flow monitoring at industrial discharge outlets;
  • Monitoring at wastewater treatment plant outfalls;
  • Monitoring of wastewater discharge from livestock farms;
  • Monitoring of agricultural irrigation channels;
  • Monitoring of wastewater discharge from chemical plants;
  • Monitoring of open-field water channels;
  • Flow velocity monitoring in urban waterways;

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