ELECTRONIC VOLUMETERS

TME 400 VM / VC
TME 400 (Turbine Meter Electronic) type volumeters offer a number of advantages over
classical mechanical turbine meters like display of actual flow rate, data and parameter
archiving, various interfaces and optionally integrated volume correction.
 METHOD OF OPERATION AND CONSTRUCTION

Introduction
The new type TME 400 volumeters are turbines designed for secondary metering (non custody transfer operation) with
purely electronical totalizers. In contrast to mechanical turbine meters, in the TME 400 the volume flow is converted in
the mechanical meter body to electrical impulses, which are transmitted to the electronical meter head where they are
processed.

In this way, the TME 400 can not only display and save the totalizer reading, but also, for example, the actual flow rate.
In addition, several totalizers can be realized and the meter can transmit its measured values as well as additional
signals directly via various interfaces (pulses, analog, digital). Furthermore, the version TME 400-VC offers a fully-
fledged volume corrector integrated in the meter head, including pressure and temperature measurement.

It calculates the standard volume besides operating flow rate

and operating volume. An external volume corrector is no longer
needed. For all TME 400 versions, a long-lasting backup battery
ensures continued reliable operation even in the case of a
complete power failure.

TME 400-VM
The TME 400-VM (Volume Meter) is the basic version of the
TME 400 family. As the abbreviation VM indicates, it is a
so-called volumeter, i.e. a pure operating volume meter for
non-custody transfer applications.

Features TME 400-VM TME 400-VC

• Electronic totalizers
Main totalizer, additional start-stop or resettable totalizer
for low flow (or slow down) cut-off by external signal. TME 400-VC
• Low-torque metering system with long-term stability The TME 400-VC (Volume Corrector) combines all fea-
Turbine design with a minimum of moving parts. tures of the TME 400-VM with the benefits of a fully
•  Battery or mains operation Autonomous operation with integrated non-custody transfer PTZ volume corrector.
lithium cell for 6+ years or external power supply and Pressure and temperature measurement are integrated
backup battery to protect against power failures. directly into the meter.

•  Explosion protection The TME 400 is intrinsically safe

and can be used in zones 1 and 2. Additional Features (VC)
•  Outputs Pulse outputs HF and LF (variable), alarm •  Volume corrector Integrated fully-fledged compact
output, current output (4-20 mA, optional). volume corrector including digital pressure and
temperature measurement.
•  Flow display
•  Calculation of the K coefficient according to SGERG88,
•  Digital interface
AGA8 GROSS M1 and M2 as well as AGA NX19.
serial RS 485 interface for Modbus connection.
•  Display Operating volume, standard volume, current
•  Storage of maximum value (Qm)
and maximum flow can be displayed in measurement
•  Archive Integrated fail-safe parameter, event and and standard condition.
measured value archive.
•  Separate Terminal block Inputs for pulses, pressure
•  RMGViewTME Provided software for convenient and temperature can be sealed separately from the
parameterization and management of device and stored rest. The lithium battery can be exchanged without
data. opening the case.

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Method of Operation
With turbine gas meters, the gas flow strikes a mechani­
cally mounted turbine wheel and drives it. The rotational TME 400
Totalizer

Nur mit feuchtem Tuch abwischen!

Clean only with a damp cloth!

speed of the turbine wheel is proportional to the flow rate V Q P/T Calc I/O Par Status Info

of the gas. Since the gas flows through an invariable

OK

cross section (annular gap of the turbine wheel), the flow Clamping screw
­velocity is also proportional to the volume flow.
O-ring
TME 400 VM and TME VC are based on the on the trusted
RMG Volumeter series TRZ03-K. Dimensions and metro­ Sensor sleeve
logical performance are identical for both.
Temperature
transmitter
In the TME 400, a magnetic disk is mounted on the shaft
of the turbine wheel, rotating at the same speed as the Flow
tur- bine wheel. A Wiegand sensor scans that disk and
straightener
generates one electrical pulse per revolution which is Sensor
transmitted to the electronic meter head. Each pulse is
Permanent
­directly proportional to a certain volume flow. The meter
magnet
can therefore display both the current flow (QM) and the
total flowed volume (VM). Turbine wheel

Furthermore, the volume corrector integrated in the TME

400-VC allows the calculation of the standard volume (VB). pr - connection
In order to do this, the meter measures operating pressure
and operating temperature in addition to the operating
volume flow. From this, the standard volume flow can be
calculated using a suitable equation of state together with
the corresponding standard conditions. Then this value is
summed up in the standard volume totalizer and stored in
the data logger.

Electronic Totalizer
Possible connections for the electronic totalizer:

Connection Type Umax Umin Imax Tpulse fmax

Pulse output Transistor,
30 V 4.0 V 30 mA 1 ms 250 Hz
HF direct signal frequency open collector
20 ms
Pulse output Transistor,
30 V 4.0 V 30 mA 125 ms 25 Hz
LF reduction programmable open collector
250 ms
Interface RS 485 10.5 V 6.0 V 200 mA — —
Switch input for stopping the Switching
potential-free — — — —
totalizer contact
Error < 0.5%
Current output (option) 4-20 mA, Imin
30 V 12 V 23 mA of final
Version with a current board 2 wires 3.5 mA
value**

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 TECHNICAL DATA

Nominal Measuring Pressure Pressure Loss

Pulse value
size range loss The pressure loss ∆p stated in the table applies to n ­ atural
Qmin - Qmax HF ∆p gas at Qmax and 1 bar (a). From this, the pressure loss at
­measurement conditions can be calculated in accordance
mm in. m3/h pulses/m3 mbar
with the formula below.
25 1 2,5 - 25 13450 3
40 1½ 6 - 70 7800 4 Pressure loss as per the formula
2
50 2 6 - 100 7800 5
ρb  Qm 
13 - 160 2375 3 ∆pm = ∆p ∙  ∙ pm ∙ 
80 3 16 - 250 2375 6 0.83
25 - 400 1250 14     Qmax 
25 - 400 1060 4
100 4
40 - 650 600 10
40 - 650 330 3 ∆pm = Pressure loss at measurement conditions
150 6 65 - 1000 330 6 (pm, Qm) in mbar
100 - 1600 190 12 ∆p = Pressure loss at Qmax with natural gas at
100 - 1600 135 3 1 bar in mbar (see table)
200 8
160 - 2500 80 8 ρb = Standard density of the gas in kg/m3
160 - 2500 75 3 pm = Pressure at meas. conditions in bar(a)
250 10
250 - 4000 44 7
Qm = Flow rate at meas. conditions in m3/h
250 - 4000 48 4
300 12 Qmax = Maximum flow rate in m3/h (see table)
400 - 6500 28 9
400 - 6500 24 3
400 16
650 - 10000 14 8 Example:
500 20 on request Air, nominal meter size DN 100,
600 24 on request measuring range 20 - 400 m3/h, pm = 1.1 bar (a),
ρb = 1.29 kg/m3, Qm = 250 m3/h.
The pulse value for LF pulses can be programmed from Take from the table: ∆p = 4 mbar.
0.01 to 100 pulses/m3 with a maximum output frequency Hence the result using the above formula:
of 25 Hz. ∆p = 2.7 mbar.

Technical Data

Explosion protection II 2G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb

Degree of protection IP 65
Ambient temperature -25°C - +55°C
Medium temperature range -20°C - +60°C
Temperature transmitter PT 1000
Pressure ranges 0.8 – 2,5 bar(a) 0.8 – 6,0 bar(a) 2.0 – 10 bar(a) 4.0 – 20 bar(a)
Standard lithium battery with 3.6 V (service life 6+ years)
Power supply Service life of the standby battery with 24 V/DC external power supply
via interface or current output 10+ years
3 transistor outputs:
- HF
Outputs - LF (puls width programmable)
- Fault
4 - 20 mA analog output (only with external power supply), electrically isolated
Interface RS 485 (Modbus protocol) / external power supply

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FACTS, APPROVALS, CONNECTION

Types of Gas Maintenance

The TME 400 standard design is suitable for all gases All turbine meters up to and including the nominal size of
complying with DVGW Code of Practice G260. The materials DN 150 are fitted with permanently lubricated bearings
used are appropriate for industrial gases and fuel gases, and require no maintenance. From the nominal size of DN
such as unmodified and modified natural gases, processed 200, the meters are fitted with a lubricator. Lubrication has
biogas and all non-corrosive gases. For corrosive gases, to be performed in compliance with the operating instruc-
there are special designs available with PTFE lining, special tions (see also lubrication instruction plate on the meter).
material, special lubrication, etc.

Approvals
Measuring Accuracy (Natural GAS) EU type examination according to

•  Explosion protection directive 2014/34/EU

Qmin to 0.2 · Qmax to
Measuring error as per certificate of conformity No.:
0.2 · Qmax Qmax
TÜV 17 ATEX 207566 X
DN 25 ± 3% ± 2% Marking: II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb
DN 40, DN 50 ± 3% ± 1,5% •  Pressure equipment directive 2014/68/EU
DN 80 ± 3% ± 1% as per certificate No.:
ISG-22-12-1979_Rev. K
≥ DN 100 ± 2% ± 1%
Reproducibility: ≤ ± 0.1%

Hazardous area Safe area Connection of Outputs

24 V DC Example for installation in areas subject to explosion
­hazards
TME 400
Nur mit feuchtem Tuch abwischen!

Clean only with a damp cloth!

V Q P/T Calc I/O Par Status Info

OK
Ex i supply unit
Current output 4-20 mA possible:
KFD2-STC4-Ex 1 4-20 mA When installing in hazardous areas, a galvanic isolation
Current Current of the outputs and the interface is required. The device
loop output DATCOM-K3, which can be delivered for this purpose as an
accessory, can also serve as power supply.

Optionally, the TME 400 can be equipped with an external-

Ex i supply and
HF LF U ly drivencurrent output (4-20 mA).
RS 485 Alarm isolation unit
DATCOM-K3
Direct connections
only with meters in
safe area 12 V DC
HF LF
RS 485 Alarm

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 TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION AND DIMENSIONS

A A A A

B
B B B
C C
C C

L L L L

Flanged-end design Sandwich design Monoflange design Threaded-end design

(Adaptor-flange mounting)

Weights and measures Pressure rating

Nominal L A B C Weight PN 10 PN 25 PN 40 ANSI ANSI

Case design
size mm mm mm mm mm kg* PN 16 ANSI 150 300 600
25** 185 80 145 195 4 ○
Threads
40*** 140 80 145 195 12 ▲

50 150 60 180 265 10 ● ● ● ●

80 120 35 180 315 14 ● ● ●

100 150 50 215 345 25 ● ● ●

150 175 70 225 410 40 ● ● ●

200 200 70 225 470 60 ● ● ●

Flanges
250 300 135 280 540 70 ■ ■

300 95 320 580 100 ■ ■

300
450 200 325 610 200 ■ ■ ■

600 145 325 650 180 ■ ■

400
600 345 335 680 400 ■ ■ ■

50 80 60 175 255 15 ●

80 120 35 200 300 35 ● ●

Mono­ 100 150 50 225 335 50 ● ●

flanges 150 175 70 270 445 100 ● ●

200 200 70 305 510 130 ● ●

250 250 85 345 590 200 ● ● ●

Sandwich 50 80 30 145 195 12 ▲ ●

Nominal sizes DN 500 / DN 600 and special designs on request. ● Steel/spheroidal cast iron ○ Aluminium
■ Steel, welded design ▲ Stainless steel

* The weights are approximate values, devices with a lower pressure rating can have a lower weight.
** External thread R 1½“; with coupling kit: internal thread Rp 1 ISO 7-1, overall length 243 mm, max. pressure for combustible gases: 5 bar
*** External thread R 2¼“; with coupling kit: internal thread Rp 1½ ISO 7-1, overall length 206 mm

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INSTALLATION OPTIONS, ARCHIVES, SOFTWARE

Options for Installing the Totalizer

With the TME 400-VM the meter head can be mounted standing or lying
as well as rotated about the vertical axis. For TME 400-VC the meter
head is mounted standing in any case due to the pulse piping required.

For both the TME 400-VM and the TME 400-VC the remote totalizer
option for a separated mounting of the meter head in a distance of max.
10 m from the meter body is available.

Archives Operating software RMGViewTME

Parameter changes, meter readings and events are stored The provided RMGViewTME software allows direct access to
in the archives and for the TME 400‑VC additionally mea- the measuring electronics with a PC. The most important
sured values. functions are:

•  Readout of all parameters

The memory depth is in each case:
•  Change of parameters
•  Parameter archive (custody transfer) 300 (with open calibration switch)
•  Parameter archive (secondary) 300 •  Graphical display of measured values
•  Event archive 200 •  Creating test certificates and data sheets and their
•  Periodic archive 9000 output in pdf format
•  Daily archive 100 •  Reading out the archives
•  Monthly archive 25 •  Export of parameters and archive data in Excel readable
format
The measuring period can be set to 15, 30 or 60 minutes. The software is easy to use and all the data is displayed
systematically in clearly arranged tables. It is also possible
to combine selected measured values and parameters in
user-defined tables.

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RMG Messtechnik GmbH
Otto-Hahn-Straße 5
35510 Butzbach
RMG-TME400VMVC-EN | April 2021 © RMG Messtechnik GmbH

Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 6033 897-0

Fax: +49 (0)6033 897-130
Mail [email protected]

www.rmg.com

For More Information

To learn more about products and solutions from RMG visit www.rmg.com
or contact your account manager.
Technical data is subject to change without notice.