0121 327 7771

MWA Technology Limited, an independent metering supplier based in Birmingham, has launched a meter testing service for any brand of rotary or turbine meter with flow rate capacities from one cubic metre per hour to 650 cubic metres per hour.

MWA has invested in a new sophisticated test rig and installed it at its Birmingham headquarters to enable the company to offer customers the service. The test rig determines whether meters currently in service should be serviced or replaced.

MWA director, Martin Wardell said: “Generally check meters are produced with bearings that are ‘sealed for life’ unlike primary billing meters, which generally have provision for lubricating bearings. It is usually recommended by manufactures that turbine check meters are serviced and verified for accuracy every 10 years.

“Rotary meters (RPD) need routine maintenance – including oil level checks – and will operate in excess of 20 years without variation in accuracy. Generally UK manufactured diaphragm meters also have an estimated service life in excess of 20 years without any maintenance.

“This is why MWA Technology holds a stock of a variety of meters that can be hired out to customers whilst their meters are being checked and calibrated,” explained Wardell.

The MWA test rig features three reference meters, a rotary meter and two turbine meters. The rig is able to test flow rates to an accuracy of + or – two percent.

Martin Wardell said: “UK customers have very limited choice when it comes to having their meters checked. There are probably only six such test rigs in the country and meter manufacturers own four of these. Often the manufacturers restrict their testing service to their own branded meters.

“We felt that there was a need for an independent service and the early reaction to our new service is very encouraging,” explained Mr Wardell.

For more information on the MWA Independent Meter Testing Service, contact us on 0121 327 7771 or email: info@mwatechnology.com

IGEM recently published an article on queries they receive and one of the common questions regularly asked relates to pressure drops across installation pipework (Design requirements are given in the IGEM Standard IGEM/UP/2).

The example query published in IGEM’s Journal focused on pressure drops across check meters and, in response MWA Technology has ‘re-launched’ some of its products that excel in this area. MWA’s managing director, Martin Wardell said: “Perhaps it’s time we started shouting more about the availability of meters that can overcome these worries.

“At zero flow the TBX30’s pressure drop is obviously zero and it rises exponentially with increasing flow, but a 1-1/4” or 1-1/2” TBX30 can pass 16m3/m compared to traditional diaphragm meters (12m3/h when 0.5mbar is reached).

“Furthermore a TBX100 2” can pass 62m3/h compared with 15.6m3/h with a comparable diaphragm meter is used . Clearly at lower flow rates the pressure drop across a TBX meter will be significantly lower for a given flow rate than traditional diaphragm meters.

We also now have the ‘ultimate’ check/sub meter – The TRZ range – a competitively priced ultrasonic meter range with negligible pressure drop. Finally we have historically referred to diaphragm meters as U6P, U16P, U25P etc with the “P” referring to pulse output facility as the majority of the meters we supply are used in the building services industry and are connected to building management systems,” explained Mr Wardell.

More information on these products can be obtained from MWA Technology, Telephone: 0121 327 7771, or Email: info@mwatechnology.com.

Two business executives are expressing concern about industry estimates that 90 percent of connections to third party UK primary gas meters are illegal.

Martin Wardell of MWA Technology Limited, an independent metering supplier and Steve Lewis of Apex Engineers are so concerned that the national gas industry standard is being ignored, that they have combined to launch a service to offer site surveys and are striving to alert the industry to act.

Wardell explains: “There’s a growing requirement for real time monitoring of gas consumption among owners and landlords of large retail and commercial companies. These companies are turning to energy monitoring companies – many not from the gas industry – to install equipment which enables them to connect to the third party fiscal meters and send consumption data directly to a central point.

“In order to do this they connect to a pulse output socket in the meter, but making this connection is regulated and should only be undertaken by an authorized person using a safe method. Such a person is required to follow national guidelines, which include a site survey, adherence to safety procedures and the provision of suitable documentation. Permission must be obtained from the ‘owner’ of the gas meter and the installation has to be registered with the meter owner.

from left to right: Martin Wardell of MWA Technology Limited, Eric Fowler, regulation manager, National Grid and Steve Lewis of Apex Engineers

“The installation must be undertaken safely as detailed in full in the IGEM GM7 – Parts ‘A’ and ‘B’ section of the standard. The meter owner can remove an unrecognised and/or unsafe installation. Furthermore, the barrier required should be installed in a sealed enclosure which is labelled with full details of the owner,” explained Wardell.

“It seems many contractors are completely unaware of this,” said Wardell.

According to Steve Lewis – whose company is authorized to conduct site surveys by National Grid – safety issues are being overlooked. “We are not saying that companies are deliberately ignoring the requirements, indeed for most, there is a widespread lack of awareness on the issue,” said Lewis.

“The national standard however is designed to protect meters from the danger of spark-inducing voltage and also to avoid equipment being positioned too close to dangerous and hazardous areas where explosions could take place, especially in the event of a leakage near the meter,” explained Lewis.

“A major consequence of ignoring the standard could at worst be a fatal explosion or disconnection and removal of equipment. The situation threatens many of our major companies and institutions, especially those with multiple locations,” said Lewis.

The partnership between meter equipment supplier, MWA Technology and power and energy consultancy, Apex Engineers, provides a site survey service to site owners, landlords, contractors and businesses wishing to ensure that their gas connections are safe, in accordance with regulations and logged by the meter owner.

“Our aim is to make more people aware of the regulations which are significant in terms of safe connections. A complete service is offered to ensure connections are made correctly, safely and ready for any future changes. We can inspect retrospectively and – if the connection conforms to standards – authorize and register the connection. We also run a certificated engineer training course to enable safe connections and connection registration in accordance with IGEM GM7,” explained Lewis.

To find out more contact: MWA on 0121 327 7771 (info@mwatechnology.com).