How Are CDI Meters Flowmeters Installed, Including Hot-Tap Options?

Updated

CDI Meters states that its compressed-air flowmeters "install in minutes," and that hot-tap meters are available "for systems that cannot be shut down." That means installation generally falls into two paths: a standard installation that requires access to the pipe (and, in most cases, a depressurized line), and a hot-tap installation that lets the meter be mounted while the system stays in service. The right choice depends on whether you can safely isolate and vent the section of pipe where the meter goes.

What installation involves

A compressed-air flowmeter has to sit in the pipe so its sensing element can measure the flow passing through. In practice, installation means:

  • Choosing a straight run of pipe with enough unobstructed length upstream and downstream of the meter (the meter's own documentation specifies the required distances).
  • Creating a mounting point in the pipe for the probe or flow body.
  • Inserting and securing the meter so it is correctly aligned with the direction of flow.
  • Connecting the meter's output to the monitoring side — CDI Meters describes serial communication with free monitoring software.

The exact mechanical steps depend on the model and pipe size, so the meter's installation instructions govern the details rather than a generic procedure.

Standard installation vs. hot-tap

Consideration Standard installation Hot-tap installation
System state Line typically isolated and depressurized System can remain running
When it fits Planned work, scheduled shutdowns, new piping Systems that cannot be shut down
Main constraint Requires a safe way to isolate and vent the pipe Requires the correct hot-tap hardware and a safe tapping procedure
CDI Meters' framing Meters "install in minutes" Hot-tap meters "for systems that cannot be shut down"

The key decision is not which method is "better" — it is whether shutting down and venting that part of the compressed-air system is acceptable. If it is, a standard installation is the simpler route. If production depends on that air line running continuously, a hot-tap meter is the option CDI Meters provides for that case.

After the meter is in

Once mounted, the meter reports flow data over serial communication, and CDI Meters provides free monitoring software to receive it. That is the point of the installation: turning the meter's readings into visibility into how much compressed air a section of the system is using, which is the basis for finding waste and saving energy.

Practical points to confirm before installing

  • Pipe access and isolation: Can you safely isolate and vent the section, or does the line have to stay live? This alone determines standard vs. hot-tap.
  • Straight-run requirements: Check the model's required upstream and downstream distances before picking the location.
  • Pipe size and model fit: CDI Meters lists several models (5200, 5250, 5400, 5450, 5100); confirm the one that matches your pipe and flow range.
  • Monitoring connection: Plan how the serial connection reaches the computer running the free monitoring software.
  • Hot-tap safety: A live tap is a pressurized operation — follow the meter's hot-tap instructions and your site's safety procedures.

For model-specific dimensions, tapping hardware, and step-by-step instructions, use the documentation that ships with the meter or the model pages on cdimeters.com, since those details vary by model and pipe size.