Did you know that you have 3 different types of gas meters in your home, one of which could be hidden around the back of your house? Gas meters are mechanical devices that measure the amount of natural or manufactured gas transported. Read on to find out how to read a diaphragm gas meter so you can make sure you're reading it correctly and all disruptions in gas flow are being accurately determined.
Definition of a Diaphragm Gas Meter
A diaphragm gas meter is a type of positive displacement meter typically used to measure the flow of natural gas in residential and commercial applications. The meter consists of two chambers, each with a diaphragm that divides them. As gas flow into the first chamber, it pushes against the diaphragm, causing it to move. This movement is transferred to a mechanical linkage connected to a pointer, indicating the amount of gas flowing through the meter on a scale. Diaphragm meters are generally more accurate than other types, such as rotary meters, and can measure very low volumes of gas flow.
Tips for Reading a Diaphragm Gas Meter
There are many gas meters in use today, but the diaphragm gas meter is one of the most commonly used. These meters are designed to measure the volume of gas passing through them, and they do this by using a diaphragm inside the meter. This diaphragm is connected to a pointer, which is then used to read the volume of gas passed through the meter.
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Here are tips for reading a diaphragm meter:
- Make sure that you have the right type of meter. There are two main types of diaphragm gas meters - positive displacement and rotary vane. Make sure you know your meter type before attempting to read it.
- Check the pointers on the dials before taking a reading. The pointers should be pointing to zero before you start reading the meter. If they're not, then reset them back to zero before continuing.
- Take a reading from left to right on each dial. Start at the furthest left dial and read across to the right, recording each number as you go. Repeat this for each subsequent dial until you've reached the end. In most cases, the first number will be 1, followed by a decimal point and then 2 zeroes.
- For every pointer revolution, multiply the number shown by 10. So, if the pointer has moved one revolution, you would multiply 1 by 10 to get 10 units of gas used.
- If there is more than one revolution, multiply by 10 for each subsequent revolution until you reach the total amount used. For example, if the pointer has moved two revolutions, you would multiply 1 by 10 twice to get 100 units of gas used.
- Set the knob back to zero when you finish reading so that the next person knows where to start!
- Use either cubic feet or BTUs when recording your readings.
Conclusion
If you're a first-time reader of a diaphragm gas meter or have read one before but want a refresher, read the tips above. First, ensure that the reset button is in the correct position. Second, identify the reading position. The reading position is the set of numbers on the face of the meter that indicates how much gas has been used. The pointer will be next to the first number in the reading position when you start reading the meter. To read the meter, turn the knob until the pointer is lined up with the first number in the reading position. Next, identify and write down any numbers that may have changed since your last reading – these will be your usage for that billing period. And that's it! By following these simple steps, you can easily read a diaphragm gas meter.
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