Failed Sierra Flowmeter

[onuigbo]

I installed a 1-1/2" Sierra flowmeter in our system that operates on 95 psi pressure and about 110 pounds per hour. The operating limits for the meter is at velocity of min 10 feet per second and maximum of 300 feet per second. After a month of operation the meter failed and the meter cavity was full of water. The manufacturer claimed that the meter operated at a velocity greater than 300 feet per second due to sudden drop in pressure, but nothing indicates that there was a pressure drop in the system, the meter diagnostics did not indicate that. My question is this, what other factors can trigger a rise in velocity from 35 fps to 300 fps, pipe size remaining the same. Right now, another meter on the same site is running at 440 fps and has not failed.

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