How to Properly Select and Use Accessories for Heat Meters

There is a wide range of accessories available for heat and cooling consumption meters, which serve to increase measurement accuracy or improve user experience. What additional elements can you choose for heat meters?

Accessories for Installing Heat and Cooling Meters

Installation kits contain everything needed for the simple installation and connection of heat meters and their components. According to the law, the installation of meters can only be carried out by a person authorized by the Czech Metrological Institute.

For the installation itself, you will mainly need adapters, wells for temperature sensors, ball valves, sealing rings, sets of fittings, spacers, T-pieces, sensor welds, and other components. The necessary types of installation accessories are very individual and depend on the specific application. The most important parameter when selecting is, of course, the type and size of the connection, which must match the parameters of the piping and meters.

Installation kit for Siemens heat meters

Practical accessories also include protective covers, which ensure protection against mechanical damage and environmental influences. Insulation jackets for thermal energy meters help minimize heat loss in the piping. However, their installation is not suitable in environments where moisture condensation occurs.

An integral part of the installation of heat and cooling consumption meters is sealing. Security seals are equipped with a strong wire and unique identification elements, thus protecting the device from unauthorized manipulation. The seal can only be replaced by a person authorized by the Czech Metrological Institute, who performs the repair or regular verification of the meter. The deadline for mandatory verification and calibration is 5 years.

Accessories for Remote Communication of Heat Consumption Meters

If you want to perform readings remotely, and thus without the need to enter rental units, it is necessary to also purchase communication accessories for the meter with the central unit. However, the meter must be equipped with an interface for the communication module. The reading can then be done by walk-by, from a car, or using radio nodes. Each communication module is designed for a different method of data collection.

M-bus radio communication module for heat meters is installed directly on the meter's evaluation unit and transmits data. Its installation and replacement do not affect the measurement and are carried out without disrupting the protective seal. The modules are powered independently and therefore require their own power source.
In the case of reading by walk-by or from a car, data is read using an M-bus reading set, which features an antenna (or a connector for an external antenna) and simple software that exports the measured data to a file.
In the case of data transmission using radio nodes (AMR), the heat measurement data is automatically loaded into the central system and evaluated by the software. Data collection and consumption calculation are thus fully automated and do not require a walk-by.

Power Supply Accessories

The power supply for heat meters is provided by external power sources, power modules, cables, or batteries. Separate power sources are also needed for communication modules.

Replacement lithium batteries are characterized by long life (6 years or more). Choose the power supply according to the current, voltage, and cable length; in the case of batteries, compatibility and lifespan are important.

Temperature Sensors for Heat Meters

Temperature sensors are used for accurate temperature measurement at various points and can be integrated directly into the meter, specifically in its flowmeter section, or separate. In the case of external sensors, installation is possible in T-pieces, ball valves, immersion wells, or as directly immersed.

When selecting, it is important to consider compatibility with the heat meter and, in the case of installation in an immersion well, also purchase the appropriate well for the temperature sensor.

Set of temperature sensors for heat meters

Selecting the Right Accessories for Heat Meters

Accessories for heat meters should always be branded, from official distribution, and compatible with the models of meters you are using. Non-branded or incompatible products may not only fail to fulfill their purpose but may also void the warranty on your meters.

When selecting, keep in mind that each type of meter requires specific accessories. Do not forget to consider the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.), measurement range, and other technical parameters.

Accessories must be installed according to the instructions to ensure the safety and reliability of the heat meters. If the meter or accessory does not function as it should, or displays an error message, always contact a specialist – unauthorized interventions in heat meters are legally prohibited, and the measured data will not be valid.

Select suitable accessories for heat and cooling meters