News Article

SpireTap Series: Residential Ultrasonic Water Meter Review

The SpireTap Smart Ultrasonic Water Meter from Spire Metering Technology is designed to survive against harsh environments, solids present in the water, magnetic vandalization and other issues that a standard water meter cannot withstand.

This particular meter can be used primarily in a residential capacity, with its primary applications including revenue metering, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), residential submetering with leakage detection.

It's extremely important for any residential or commercial property to utilize smart ultrasonic water meters to ensure that the water in the building is flowing as efficiently as possible. The right water meter gives you the information you need to reduce water bills and quickly repair leaks or blocked pipes. Early leak detection can save thousands of dollars in property damage, so real time leak alarms are critical for property managers and homeowners.

It's even more important to consider the available water filtration systems which are necessary if you want treated water for drinking and cleaning but there are a few different types and they can be unintentionally disruptive to water flow.

So with the importance of smart water meters in mind, let’s take a look at some of the primary features present in the SpireTap:

Features

  • The body is a stainless steel 304 sensor body, which will ensure that harsh environments such as meter pits that flood and get dirty aren’t going to cause any wear and tear on the meter. 

  • Built-in tamper detection system.

  • Replaceable battery with a 10-year lifespan.

  • LCD display with up to 9 digits which keep you up to date on everything from water flow rate and total to remaining battery, and wireless signal.

  • A variety of alarms are at the ready to inform you of reverse flow, low battery level, burst pipes & leakage.

  • Has a data logger, which will track up to 700 daily totals as well as 24 monthly totals. 

  • The meter is NB-IOT ready, which allows it to communicate via the major carriers cellular networks such as T-Mobile.

  • Complies with ANSI/AWWA-C715 & ANSI/NSF61-G standards. 

So with all of these features in mind, can you actually expect strong performance from this water meter?

Performance

The answer is a resounding yes. The stainless steel body makes this a very durable piece of equipment, so no matter what kind of condition the water is in, you won’t have to worry about any damage.

This is a huge advantage for a water meter, because it means that data will be tracked when it’s most necessary. Others might fail in harsher installation conditions as a result of flooded meter pits or if debris gets caught in the mechanical parts. The SpireTap has no mechanical parts and nothing blocking the flow tube for debris to get caught in.

The aforementioned sensor is a patented design and it doesn’t have any moving parts which makes it even less likely to break down. No maintenance is required to ensure that the state-of-the-art ultrasonic sensor operates to its fullest capacity.

The meter is also designed without the need for a sensor reflector in the middle of the flow tube that many other similar devices have. While often unavoidable due to design restrictions, it usually just serves to block the flow which increases pressure loss and results in pushing pumps harder wearing them out and increasing electricity costs for pumping.

This meter allows for a much more consistent and straightforward flow which is unobstructed by such a reflector.

The LCD display and the wide variety of different alarms make it very easy for you to keep track of every important statistic and much like the rest of the meter, the display itself is a robust design and will also withstand the environment.

Another huge advantage that this meter has is how adaptable it is. As we mentioned earlier, it fully complies with the AWWA standard and so not only is this perfect for a brand new installation, but it can also work for retrofit applications. 

And perhaps the most useful aspect is the compatibility with NB-IOT technology. The use of smart technology in the home is steadily on the rise and there is no reason why it can’t also be utilized as a part of your water flow system.

Having this tech included in your meter allows for you to keep track of your water flow online from anywhere. The alarm system can be connected to your phone, so that any time there is an issue that needs attention you will be alerted immediately.

It also allows you access to operational insights and updates on the newest and most relevant technology available so that you can keep on top of any available improvements. Dealing with issues is simple too because information about the issues can be accessed online instead of having to bring a professional into your home or property.

Conclusion

The SpireTap is a durable, reliable and long-lasting water meter which is equipped with the most up-to-date technology available right now. 

With this meter, you can expect a device that will keep you informed of any developments regarding your water flow and which will maintain its high quality for years and years to come.