Paddle wheel flow meter calibration

Paddle wheel flow meter calibration involves comparing the instrument’s flow output against a traceable liquid flow reference standard at defined flow rates. The calibration certificate records the indicated flow, the reference flow, the deviation and the measurement uncertainty at each calibrated point. UKAS accreditation means the laboratory has been independently assessed to ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

Labcal’s standard liquid flow calibration is performed using water. Paddle wheel meters calibrated on water can be used for other low-viscosity liquids of similar density, but correction factors may need to be applied for liquids with significantly different properties. If your application involves a liquid other than water, contact us and we will advise on whether a water-based calibration is sufficient or whether additional steps are needed.

Calibration intervals depend on the application. In food and beverage production and pharmaceutical manufacturing, annual calibration is standard. For less critical applications, two-year intervals may be acceptable. The calibration interval should be defined by your quality management system based on the criticality of the flow measurement and the instrument’s historical drift behaviour.

Yes. We calibrate both inline and insertion-type paddle wheel flow meters. For insertion-type meters, the sensor must be removable from the pipe and should be sent to our laboratory in a clean condition. If the sensor is mounted in a dedicated spool piece, we can assess whether the complete assembly needs to be sent or whether the sensor alone is sufficient.

A paddle wheel meter uses a physical rotating impeller and is most accurate with clean, low-viscosity liquids. It has moving parts that can wear over time. An electromagnetic flow meter uses Faraday’s law of induction and has no moving parts, making it suitable for slurries, dirty liquids and aggressive media. Electromagnetic meters are generally more accurate and more expensive. Both types require UKAS calibration for regulated applications.