How to Read a Water Meter — Including Pulse Output Models

1. Traditional Analog & Digital Meters

• Analog meters display usage with rotating dials or a mechanical counter.

• Digital meters show the reading on a screen, usually in cubic meters (m³) or gallons.
  To read either: simply note the numbers from left to right, ignoring any decimals or red digits.

2. What Is a Pulse Water Meter?

A pulse water meter doesn’t display usage directly. Instead, it emits electronic pulses, where each pulse equals a fixed volume (e.g., 10 liters). These are counted by a pulse reader or smart module.

For example:
200 pulses × 10 liters = 2,000 liters used.

Pulse meters are common in smart homes, commercial buildings, and retrofitted systems.

3. Wired vs Wireless Pulse Readers

• Wired pulse readers connect via RS-485 or dry contact lines.

• Wireless pulse readers (e.g., LoRa/NB-IoT) clip directly to the meter, feature built-in antennas, and are battery-powered for up to 10 years.

Wireless models are ideal for outdoor or remote installations with no wiring required.

4. Why It Matters

Reading your meter — whether analog or pulse — gives you control over water usage, cost, and system efficiency. If you’re using a pulse-output meter, make sure your pulse reader is correctly configured and calibrated.

Need help selecting the right pulse reader? Contact us for support.