Air Flow Meters

Logic Beach distributes the CDI line of air flow transducers for use with dry air and nitrogen. These transducers are commonly employed in compressed air systems for long term monitoring as well as during audits to more accurately understand the compressed air supply flow requirements and loading.

The flow meters clamp onto a pipe, with two flow sensing probes projecting into the pipe through 3/16-in. drilled holes (clamp on drill guides are available for installation). The flow meter seals directly to the pipe; no cutting or welding is required for installation. One model, the CDI5450 can be “hot tap” installed on a pressurized compressed air line.

Because each flow meter is made and calibrated for a specific size of pipe, the integral digital display indicates flow directly, with no setup or adjustment required.

The meter measures flow by maintaining one probe warmer than the other. It calculates the gas mass velocity from the amount of heat required, and then calculates the flow on the basis of pipe cross-sectional area. The flow rate, in scfm, is shown on a large, four-digit display. The flow meters come standard with 4-20mA and pulse outputs which directly interface to Logic Beach data logging instruments’ analog and digital inputs.  The flow meters can also be provided with a Modbus RTU slave option permitting two wire RS-485 interconnection to Modbus RTU Master enabled data logging and reporting instruments from Logic Beach.

The output signal from the flow meter is simply scaled, totalized, time profiled and reported per the HyperWare program running within the Logic Beach data acquisition, alarming and reporting instrument.    In compressed air system applications, the measured air flow coupled with point pressure measurements, compressor run times, electrical power consumption and other measured  parameters logged by a Logic Beach data logging instrument, a thorough and accurate compressed air system performance profile can be obtained.

Three models (5100, 5200 and 5400) are available for different ranges of pipe diameters.  The 5450 model, a unique variation of the 5400 family,   features a special “hot tap” installation capability whereby it can be installed into a pressurized pipe.

Flow Meter Model and Pipe diameter compatibility:

  • 5100: 3/8″ ( 0 to 20 SCFM flow rates)
  • 5200: ½” to 2” pipe
  • 5400: 2” to 6” pipe
  • 5450: Same as 5400 but has hot tap installation feature

Drill guides are required for installation of the 5200 and 5400 series and are available from Logic Beach for the various models

5100 Series Low Flow Meter

5100 Series: Low Flow for Point of Use Applications

The CDI 5100 is designed for low flow rates found in many point-of-use applications. It does this by concentrating the flow into a small area that is chosen to optimize the tradeoff between pressure drop and low-flow sensitivity. Used in its intended flow range (0 to 20SCFM) and at a pressure of 100 psig, the 5100 will create a pressure drop no greater than one psi. The meter measures flow by maintaining one probe warmer than the other. It determines the mass flow rate from the amount of heat required. The flow rate, in scfm or equivalent units, is shown on a large, four-digit display; a 4-20 mA output and a pulse output allow simple connection to the Logic Beach data logging instruments.

Unit ships with 120/230 to 24Vdc power supply. A re-usable drill jig is required for installation.

  • Pipe Diameter: 3/8″
  • Flow Range: 0 to 20 SCFM
  • Price Reference:
    • Flow Meter $495
    • Modbus RTU interface option $65
    • Drill Guide: Not required for 5100 (flow plumbed through meter)

Refer to 5100 Datasheet for technical details and Part Number.

5400 Series Flow Meter

5400 Series: For Flow in Pipes up to 8″ Diameter

The 5400 clamps onto a pipe, with two flow-sensing probes projecting into the pipe through 3/16-in. drilled holes. It seals directly to the pipe; no cutting or welding is required for installation. Because each flowmeter is made and calibrated for a specific size of pipe, the digital display indicates flow directly, with no setup or adjustment.

The meter measures flow by maintaining one probe warmer than the other. It determines the mass flow rate from the amount of heat required. The flow rate, in scfm or equivalent units, is shown on a large, four-digit display; a 4-20 mA output and a pulse output allow simple connection to the Logic Beach data logging instruments.

Unit ships with 120/230 to 24Vdc power supply. A re-usable drill jig is required for installation.

  • Pipe Diameter: 2″ to 8″
  • Flow Range: 600 to 6000 SCFM
  • Price Reference:
    • Flow Meter $645 to $2195
    • Modbus RTU interface option $65
    • Reusable Drill Guide: $65 to $95

Refer to 5400 Datasheet for technical details and Part Number.

5450 Series Flow Meter

5450 Series: 5400 Series with “Hot Tap” feature

The 5450 is a modified version of the 5400 model that allows installation onto a pipe under pressure. It incorporates two valves through which the probes pass and a muffler that collects chips from the drilling process. It takes an equal amount of installation time as our standard meters and requires no shutdown of the compressed-air system.

Once installed, the 5450 clamps onto a pipe, with two flow-sensing probes projecting into the pipe through 3/16-in. drilled holes. It seals directly to the pipe; no cutting or welding is required for installation. Because each flowmeter is made and calibrated for a specific size of pipe, the digital display indicates flow directly, with no setup or adjustment.

The meter measures flow by maintaining one probe warmer than the other. It determines the mass flow rate from the amount of heat required. The flow rate, in scfm or equivalent units, is shown on a large, four-digit display; a 4-20 mA output and a pulse output allow simple connection to the Logic Beach data logging instruments.

Unit ships with 120/230 to 24Vdc power supply. A re-usable drill jig is required for installation.

  • Pipe Diameter: 2″ to 8″
  • Flow Range: 600 to 6000 SCFM
  • Price Reference:
    • Flow Meter $1145 to $2695
    • Modbus RTU interface option $65
    • Reusable Drill Guide: none required

Refer to 5450 Datasheet for technical details and Part Number.