Key Functions of TF1100-CH&TF1100-EP Portable Ultrasonic Flowmeter
01. Pipe Size Range
It is suitable for pipe sizes ranging from 20 to 4000mm.
02. Required Medium and Pipe Condition
For clean liquids and full pipe.
03. Wide Flow Rate Range
Excellent low flow rate measurement ability, low to 0.01m/s. A wide range of flow measurement, high flow rate can reach 12m/s.
04. High Temperature Measurement
High-temperature transducer is suitable to liquids of -35°C - 200°C.
05. Outputs
RS232/485,Datalogger,4-20mA,OCT...
06. Accuracy
Accuracy: 1%
1.Working Principle
Both the TF1100-CH handheld and TF1100-EP suitcase-style portable ultrasonic flow meters adopt the transit-time measurement principle. A pair of clamp-on transducers are externally mounted on the outer pipe wall. The system calculates liquid velocity by measuring the time difference of ultrasonic pulses travelling downstream and upstream inside a fully charged pipe. Flow rate, total volume and optional thermal energy can be computed accordingly.
As non-intrusive instruments, neither model cuts pipes nor touches the process fluid. They rely on digital cross-correlation signal processing to maintain stable readings for clean and slightly turbid liquids, with a measurable turbidity up to 10,000 ppm. The velocity measuring range covers 0.01~12 m/s for bi-directional flow.
2. Core Comparison: Similarities & Differences
2.1 Shared Features
- Clamp-on non-invasive installation, no pipe cutting, no process shutdown
- Transit-time ultrasonic technology for liquid flow measurement in full pipes
- Bi-directional flow measurement, optional heat/cold energy calculation with PT1000 sensors
- Built-in data logging and USB data export
- Compatible with carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, PVC, HDPE and most common pipe materials
- Wide pipe diameter range: DN20 to DN6000
- Liquid temperature range: -35℃ ~ 200℃
- Rechargeable lithium battery powered for field operation
- Measurement accuracy: ±1.0% of reading when flow velocity >0.3 m/s
2.2 Key Differences
| Items | TF1100-CH | TF1100-EP |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Handheld compact unit | Rugged suitcase portable unit, IP66 protection |
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours continuous operation | Up to 50 hours continuous measurement |
| Display | Backlit 4-line LCD screen | 4.3-inch color LCD, simultaneous multi-parameter display |
| Transducer set | Compact transducers for quick spot checks | Standard S & M transducers with complete mounting chains |
| Main scenario | Short spot flow audit, temporary meter comparison | All-day pipeline patrol, long-term unattended logging |
| Weight & handling | Ultra-lightweight, single-hand operation | Hard protective case, full kit for site-to-site transport |
3. How to Select Between TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP？
Choose TF1100-CH if your work mainly involves short-duration spot inspections, temporary flow verification, meter benchmarking and quick site visits. Its lightweight handheld design is ideal for engineers who need to move rapidly between multiple test points without heavy gear.
Choose TF1100-EP for long field patrols, district heating energy audits, multi-point sequential surveys and unattended on-site data recording. The 50-hour battery, color screen and rugged waterproof case eliminate frequent recharging and deliver better readability under strong sunlight.
Common prerequisite: The pipe must run full of liquid. Heavy scaling, thick internal lining or high solid content will attenuate ultrasonic signals and reduce measurement stability.
4. Installation Guidance
The installation workflow is identical for both models:
- Select a straight pipe segment with sufficient upstream and downstream straight runs; avoid elbows, valves, reducers and pumps.
- Grind and clean pipe surface thoroughly, remove rust, coating and dirt.
- Input pipe outer diameter, wall thickness, pipe material and liquid medium into the transmitter to calculate transducer spacing.
- Apply acoustic coupling grease on transducer faces, mount sensors on pipe using V, W, Z or N mounting method.
- Fine-tune transducer positions until signal strength and signal quality reach stable status.
- Validate flow reading and save site configuration parameters.
TF1100-CH excels at fast temporary clamping and handheld alignment. TF1100-EP comes with robust mounting fixtures and performs better when sensors stay clamped for hours of continuous logging.
5. Maintenance
- Wipe residual coupling compound off transducer surfaces after each field job.
- Prevent transducer cables from sharp scratches and excessive pulling force.
- Recharge batteries regularly; avoid deep discharge during long-term storage.
- Store instruments in dry and dust-free conditions.
- Periodically verify signal quality and zero point before field measurement.
Model-specific maintenance notes
- TF1100-CH: Protect the small handheld display from impact during mobile inspection.
- TF1100-EP: Inspect case sealing and chain tension before field trips. For extended logging tasks, check couplant aging to avoid signal drift.
6. What are the limitations when using TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP for flow measurement on site?
Although both Lanry portable ultrasonic flow meters offer convenient non-intrusive measurement, they still have some practical limitations. First, they only work reliably on fully liquid-filled pipes. If the pipe is partially filled or contains excessive air bubbles, the ultrasonic signal will be scattered, leading to unstable readings or measurement failure. Second, heavy internal scaling, thick rubber lining or high solid concentration in the medium will attenuate ultrasonic waves and reduce accuracy. Third, enough straight pipe sections upstream and downstream are mandatory. Installing transducers too close to elbows, valves or pumps will cause flow turbulence and compromise results.
While TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP share these limitations, TF1100-EP with stronger signal processing is slightly more tolerant for long-time monitoring under marginal conditions, yet it cannot completely eliminate the above adverse impacts. Users should assess pipe and medium conditions before deployment to guarantee valid measurement data.
7. The Application of TF1100-CH&TF1100-EP Portable Flowmeter
TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP portable ultrasonic flow meters from Lanry are suitable for a wide range of pipe types and liquid media across multiple industries. Applicable pipes include carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, PVC and HDPE, covering diameters from DN20 up to DN6000. They measure clean and slightly turbid single-phase liquids such as tap water, chilled water, hot heating water, raw water and lightly contaminated wastewater.
TF1100-CH is well-suited for short spot checks in HVAC systems, water supply networks and factory routine inspections. TF1100-EP excels at long-duration continuous logging for district heating, water leakage surveys, power plants, food & beverage and light chemical industries. Both models require fully-filled pipes and perform best with low air bubble and low solid content to maintain stable ultrasonic signals and reliable flow readings.
FAQ About the TF1100 Series Portable Flowmeter
Q1. Do TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP require pipe cutting during installation?
No. Both are clamp-on non-invasive ultrasonic flow meters. No pipe cutting or system shutdown is required.
Q2. Can both models measure gas or steam flow?
No. They are designed for liquid measurement under full pipe conditions. Gas, steam or partially filled pipes cannot be measured reliably.
Q3. What is the primary difference between TF1100-CH and TF1100-EP?
Form factor and battery runtime. TF1100-CH is lightweight handheld for short spot checks with up to 14-hour battery. TF1100-EP is suitcase-type portable with up to 50-hour battery for all-day field work.
Q4. Can both meters support thermal energy measurement?
Yes. Heat/energy calculation is an optional function for both models when paired with PT1000 temperature sensors.
Q5. What factors most impact measurement accuracy?
Poor pipe surface preparation, insufficient straight pipe section, air bubbles inside liquid, heavy pipe fouling and weak ultrasonic signal.
Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business English, as a sales engineer of Lanry Instruments more than 5 years.
Having participated in multiple overseas exhibitions,possess in-depth product knowledge of our complete instrument lineup
and strong capabilities for international client engagement.Should you have any project demands for instruments, pls feel free to contact me.
Post time: Sep-09-2026