Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: Paddle Wheel Flow Meters – Principle, Advantages, Limitations
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Flow Measurement > Paddle Wheel Flow Meters – Principle, Advantages, Limitations

Paddle Wheel Flow Meters – Principle, Advantages, Limitations

The principle of Paddle Wheel Flow Meters consists of a freely rotating wheel with embedded magnets which is perpendicular to the flow rate.

Last updated: October 31, 2023 11:02 am
Editorial Staff
Flow Measurement How It Works
1 Comment
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Paddle wheel flow meters consist of three primary components: the paddle wheel sensor, the pipe fitting, and the display/controller.

Contents
Paddle Wheel Flow MetersAdvantages of Paddle Wheel Flow MeterLimitations of Paddle Wheel Flow Meter

The paddle wheel sensor consists of a freely rotating wheel or impeller with embedded magnets that is perpendicular to the flow and will rotate when inserted in the flowing medium.

Paddle Wheel Flow Meters

Working Principle of Paddle Wheel Flow Meters

As the magnets in the blades spin past the sensor, the paddle wheel meter generates a frequency and voltage signal which is proportional to the flow rate. The faster the flow the higher the frequency and the voltage output.

The paddle wheel meter is designed to be inserted into a pipe fitting, either ‘in-line’ or insertion style. These are available with a wide range of fittings styles, connection methods, and materials such as PVDF, polypropylene, and stainless steel. Similar to turbine meters, the paddle wheel meter requires a minimum run of straight pipe before and after the sensor.

Flow displays and controllers are used to receive the signal from the paddle wheel meter and convert it into actual flow rate or total flow values. The processed signal can be used to control the process, generate an alarm, send signals to external, etc.

Paddle wheel flow meters (also known as Pelton wheel sensors) offer a relatively low-cost, high-accuracy option for many flow system applications, typically with water or water-like fluids.

Advantages of Paddle Wheel Flow Meter

  • Low-cost solution with high flow system accuracy
  • Easy to install and operate, resulting in a low cost of ownership
  • No pressure drop making it ideal for gravity flows
  • Insertion flow meter design lowers installation and maintenance costs

Limitations of Paddle Wheel Flow Meter

  • Paddlewheel meters work best with clean fluids as particulates can prevent the paddle from spinning properly
  • Not suitable for gases
  • Requires a turbulent flow profile (consistent fluid velocity across the pipe diameter) for accuracy
  • Requires a straight run of pipe before and after the flow meter to allow swirl patterns in the flow stream to dissipate
  • Paddlewheel meters may not function properly with high-viscosity fluids where the flow profile is laminar
  • The pipe must be full; any air in the line may lead to inaccuracies

Typical applications for paddle wheel flow meters include the accurate measurement of preset fluid volumes in dispensing systems, control of chemical metering pump output, flow verification, irrigation systems, and alerting users to flow rate increases or decreases outside a programmed range.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Instrumentation, Electrical, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • Turbine Flow Meter Verification
  • Flow Meter Installation Guide
  • Optical flow meter Principle
  • What is an Ultrasonic Flow Meter?
  • Piston Flow Meters Working
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

How Coriolis Mass Flow Meter Measure Density?
Displacer Level Switch Working Principle
Facts About Orifice Flow Meters
Top Questions on Bernoulli’s Principle in Flow Meters
What is a Velocity-based Flow Meter?
Capacitance Level Measurement Working Principle
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
1 Comment
  • AYON BHOWMIK says:
    May 30, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    Sir, what is the difference between paddle wheel flow meter and turbine flow meter ? thanks

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

Non Contacting Radar Level Transmitter Animation
What is a Thermal Flow Meter?
Magnetic Flow Meter Corrosion Effects
Nutating Disc Flow Meters Working Principle
Float Level Switch Working Principle
Eddy Current Working Principle Animation
Classification of Flow Measurement Techniques
What is an Insertion Flow Meter? – Types, Principle, Advantages

Keep Learning

Piston Flow Meters Working Animation

Piston Flow Meters Working Principle with Animation

Reasons to Calibrate Flowmeters

Reasons to Calibrate Different Types of Flow Meters

Flow meter Turndown Ratio

Importance of Flow Meter Turndown Ratio

magnetic-level-gauge-principle

Magnetic Level Gauge Working Principle Animation

DP-Flow-Transmitter-Re-Ranging-calculation

DP Flow Transmitter Re-Ranging Calculation

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Principle

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Principle

Spring Loaded Variable Area Flowmeter Working Principle

Spring Loaded Variable Area Flow Meter Working Principle

Configure the Instruments in Flow Control Loop

Configure the Instruments in Flow Control Loop

Learn More

Difference between HART and Foundation Fieldbus

Difference between HART and Foundation Fieldbus

Your First Steps Through STL Language

Your First Steps Through STL Language

pid-guidelines-for-pig-receivers

P&ID Guidelines for Pig Receivers

Measure Duty Cycle using Multimeter

How to Measure Duty Cycle using Multimeter

PLC Conversion Program

How to use Converters in PLC

P & ID Valve Status Symbols

Piping and Instrumentation Drawing (P&ID) Tutorials – Part 4

How to Get a PLC Programming Job With No Experience

How to Get a PLC Programming Job With NO Experience?

Siemens Tia Portal PLC Training Course

Siemens Tia Portal PLC Training Course

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?