New product from ADD Grup: Water meter with an integrated valve

In 2023, ADD Grup presented its new product – the ADDRA water meter with a shut-off valve integrated directly into the water meter body (WMV)

Let us recall that before this, the company product portfolio already included a valve as a separate device that communicated with a water meter via Bluetooth.

The new generation of ADDRA meter allows you to combine both elements into the same housing. This allows you to significantly save resources and, accordingly, reduce the cost of finished product. But savings are not the only advantage of ADDRA water meter.

We asked several questions about the new product to Ruslan Casico, commercial director of ADD Grup.

Ruslan, what are the main technical characteristics and features of ADDRA water meter with integrated valve that make it unique on the market?

Ruslan Casico: If we talk about European market, none of our competitors has a similar offering at the moment. The presence of a valve in the water meter, especially in the last few years, allows not only to read data remotely, but also to limit water supply to those who exceed permissible consumption standards. This is especially important during drought, when there is a sharp shortage of water.

A water meter with an integrated valve has the same qualities as the previous generation of the device, where the valve is present as a separate device. And I repeat once again, we have no competitors in this area on the European market.

What is the application of ultrasonic water meter with an integrated valve? In which industries is it mostly demanded?

Ruslan Casico: The ultrasonic water meter produced by ADD Grup is designed for water metering for residential and commercial purposes. Just like a water meter with a separate valve, the WMV is responsible for measuring readings and managing water supply. In addition, the ADDRA meter helps combat resource theft, non-payers and emergencies in the water supply system.

I would like to point out that our product is vital for those utilities and water suppliers who are interested in collecting the highest possible percentage of data from meters. This is only possible if modern communication technologies are used, as well as if all standards on the metrological accuracy of measuring equipment are observed.

In this regard, our next question. What prospects do you see for the development of this technology in the future? What new features can it offer?

Ruslan Casico: Today, our company uses LoRa Wan and wireless M-Bus technologies as main WAN communication solutions for water meters. In the future, our product line will include meters that will use NB IoT technology (a cellular communication standard for connecting a wide range of autonomous devices to digital networks). There is already a need for such water meters on the market, and we are ready to meet this demand. At the same time, the functionality of the meter with an integrated valve will remain exactly the same as on LoRa.

What are the challenges and trends in the ultrasonic water meter market today, and how is your company adapting to them?

Ruslan Casico: Today in the water meter market there is a need to increase the so-called “dynamic range”, a R indicator. If we started with R250-R400, then today this has become the minimum required indicator. Customers are demanding an improvement in the R coefficient. In this regard, we have launched a certification process for the R800-R1600 coefficient.

Internally, according to test results, we have already achieved these indicators. All that remains is for these indicators to be confirmed by a certification laboratory.

Quick reference: What does the R-factor mean for a water meter?

R is a parameter that determines the measuring range of the water meter. It is expressed as the ratio of the maximum flow rate Q3 (the flow rate at which the water meter works properly) to the minimum flow rate Q1 (the flow rate at which the readings are within the permissible errors).

The higher the value of the R coefficient, the wider the range the water meter measures the volume of flowing water. An increase in the R coefficient can be achieved by increasing Q3 or by decreasing Q1. The lower Q1, the higher the sensitivity of the water meter.

More information on the R coefficient, as well as other technical indicators of ADDRA water meters: https://addgrup.com/support/?tab=faq2

Why is a water meter with an integrated valve better than one with a separate shut-off valve?

A water meter with an integrated valve has several potential advantages over a situation where the water meter and valve are located separately:

Price: due to the absence of the need to use a separate housing, battery, BLE communication module, a meter with an integrated valve is 20-30% cheaper than a meter and valve as separate devices.

Convenient and Compact: A water meter with an integrated valve takes up less space and can be more compact than two separate units. This is especially true in cases where space is limited, for example, in small rooms.

Simplified installation: When the valve and water meter are integrated, installation can be simpler and quicker.

Reliable operation: Eliminating the BLE communication channel between the valve and the meter reduces the risk of valve control failures.

Currently, the Addra water meter with an integrated valve is undergoing the certification process. ADD Grup invites clients and partners to discuss the possibility of supplying this metering equipment to your market. Contact us at info@addgrup.com to get all the information you need about our products.