Which CDI Meters Flowmeter Models Are Available?

Updated

CDI Meters (cdimeters.com) lists five compressed-air flowmeter models: 5200, 5250, 5400, 5450, and 5100. The site presents them as a family of meters that share the same basic value proposition — install in minutes, communicate over serial, and work with free monitoring software — with hot-tap versions for systems that cannot be shut down. The model numbers are the starting point for narrowing down a choice; the deciding factors are pipe size, flow range, installation type (hot-tap vs. standard), and how you want to read the data.

The model lineup at a glance

Model What the site tells you What to verify before ordering
5200 Listed among the available meters Pipe size, flow range, output type
5250 Listed among the available meters Pipe size, flow range, output type
5400 Listed among the available meters Pipe size, flow range, output type
5450 Listed among the available meters Pipe size, flow range, output type
5100 Listed among the available meters Pipe size, flow range, output type

The public page confirms these five model numbers exist and that the product line is built around compressed-air measurement, serial communication, free monitoring software, and hot-tap installation. It does not publish a per-model specification table, so the differences between 5200/5250 and 5400/5450 are not stated on the page itself. Treat the table above as a checklist of what to confirm with CDI Meters or a distributor, not as a spec sheet.

What all CDI Meters models have in common

Based on the site's own description, the shared characteristics across the line are:

  • Compressed-air focus — these are flowmeters for compressed air systems, intended to give visibility that supports energy management.
  • Fast installation — the site claims meters "install in minutes."
  • Serial communication — meters communicate over a serial connection.
  • Free monitoring software — included for reading and tracking the data.
  • Hot-tap availability — for systems that cannot be shut down, hot-tap meters allow installation without taking the line offline.

If your system can be isolated and depressurized for installation, the hot-tap requirement drops away and you have more of the lineup to choose from. If it cannot, hot-tap capability becomes the first filter.

How to choose between the models

Because the page does not publish a comparison table, work through these questions in order and get the answers from CDI Meters directly:

  1. What is your pipe size and material? Flowmeter bodies are sized to the pipe they mount in. A meter that fits a 2-inch line will not fit a 6-inch header. Confirm the exact pipe diameter and whether the meter is inline or insertion style.
  2. What is your expected flow range? A meter sized for a small branch line will not resolve flow on a main header, and an oversized meter loses accuracy at low flows. Have your minimum, typical, and maximum flow rates ready.
  3. What is your system pressure? Compressed-air flowmeters are pressure-rated. State your operating pressure so the correct rating is selected.
  4. Can the system be shut down? If no, you need a hot-tap model. If yes, standard installation models are available.
  5. How will you read the data? All models use serial communication with free monitoring software, but confirm the specific output (e.g., what the serial interface connects to) matches your monitoring setup.
  6. Where will the meter be installed? Straight pipe runs upstream and downstream of the meter affect accuracy. Ask about minimum straight-run requirements for the model you are considering.

A practical example

Suppose you manage a plant with a 4-inch compressed-air header that runs continuously and cannot be shut down. Your flow varies from roughly 200 to 1,500 scfm, and you want to log data to a PC.

Your selection path would be:

  • Hot-tap required → eliminates any non-hot-tap models from consideration.
  • 4-inch pipe → narrows to models rated for that diameter.
  • 200–1,500 scfm range → narrows further to a meter whose range covers both ends.
  • Serial + free software → satisfied by the product line generally, but confirm the specific model's output.

The result is one or two candidate model numbers, which you then confirm with CDI Meters against the full specification. Without the published spec table, this confirmation step is not optional — it is how you avoid ordering a meter that does not fit.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming model numbers indicate size. Higher or lower numbers do not reliably map to larger or smaller pipes. Verify each model's actual pipe size and flow range.
  • Skipping the hot-tap question. If you order a standard meter for a line that cannot be shut down, you cannot install it.
  • Ignoring straight-run requirements. A meter installed too close to an elbow, valve, or compressor discharge can read inaccurately.
  • Overlooking the data side. Serial communication and free software are listed, but confirm the physical connection and protocol work with your existing monitoring or SCADA setup.

Where to get the missing specifications

The cdimeters.com page names the models and describes the shared features but does not publish a per-model comparison. To make a final decision, contact CDI Meters or an authorized distributor with your pipe size, flow range, pressure, shutdown constraints, and monitoring requirements, and ask for the specification sheet for each candidate model. That sheet — not the model number alone — is what tells you whether a 5200, 5250, 5400, 5450, or 5100 is the right fit.