While the majority of thermal mass flow meter manufacturers recommend their meters be returned to the factory every year for calibration, there is one manufacturer that offers the ability to calibrate the meter onsite, or in-situ calibration.

The thermal mass flow meter has become a reliable, and in many cases the preferred method of measuring, monitoring and controlling various gases. Industrial, environmental and commercial businesses and agencies are determining the thermal mass meter is the perfect solution in dozens of applications. One of the advantages of the thermal mass flowmeter over traditional meters is accuracy with the ability to precisely measure flow at high and extremely low flow rates (high turndown ratio).

Of course, accuracy comes only with a calibrated meter. It is recommended by most meter manufacturers to calibrate meters annually. I say “most” because Sage Metering has a solution to the inconvenience of retrieving meters from service and shipping them to the manufacturer or meter repair shop for calibration. The Sage Metering solution is to offer a meter that can be calibrated by the customer, and better yet, on site. This eliminates the time and expense of having to uninstall a meter then reinstall it when it has returned.

This is a significant product advancement, but with anything that’s new and unique, there’s always resistance. So I thought I’d take the opportunity and dive deep into the product and share what I learned.

The Sage Zeroing chamber is used to document the 0 SCFM flow point.

Sage Metering provides an “in-situ” calibration check for all their thermal mass flow meters, by including an isolation valve assembly that can create a no flow situation (0 SCFM) within minutes. What’s unique is Sage Metering’s ability to offer a digital method of driving the sensors versus the Wheatstone bridge which is prone to drifting. By creating a no flow situation and comparing the milliwatt reading on the display to the factory’s original data point (conveniently documented on the meter’s tag), the user validates that the meter is calibrated. If the reading does not match the original NIST Traceable calibration, it is suggested that the meter probe be cleaned and be retested.

The in-situ calibration for Sage Metering is as simple as: Loosen, Lift and Look, as illustrated in IN-SITU CALIBRATION CHECK FOR SAGE INSERTION THERMAL MASS FLOW METER.

Sage Metering’s proprietary technology provides additional benefits such as: “enhanced signal stability, improved temperature compensation, greater sensitivity to flow changes, improved resolution; and even the ability to digitally adjust the dynamic operating range of the meter for the specific process conditions the customer has specified.”

More information can be found on our Thermal Mass Flow Meter page.