Current position > Product detail
『Flow Transmitter Types: Remote vs Integral Mounts』Related information(v cone flow meter|rotary gas meter|gallon meter|gear meter|metal tube rotameter|glass tube rotameter|nutating disk meter|transit time ultrasonic flow meter|wedge flow meter|pd meters|hydraulic flow meter|ultrasonic water flow meter|water flow meter|air flow meter|magnetic water flow meter|oxygen flow meter|gas flow meter|argon flow meter|air velocity meter|gasoline flow meter|fuel flow meter|ultrasonic water meter|digital water meter|nitrogen flow meter|solid flow meter|Oxygen tank flow meter|digital water flow meter|diesel fuel flow meter|steam flow meter|02 flow meter|compressed air flow meter|oil flow meter|liquid flow meter)
Flow Transmitter Types: Remote vs Integral Mounts
Quick Answer: For high-vibration areas, hot zones, or hard-to-reach pipes, remote mount flow transmitters separate the electronics from the sensor, so reading and maintenance become simpler. Integral mount transmitters combine sensor and electronics in one body, reducing wiring and initial cost when the environment is clean and accessible. Silver Automation Instruments supplies both configurations for magnetic, Coriolis, vortex, and thermal mass flow meters, with 4-20 mA HART, pulse, and Modbus outputs.
What Defines Integral and Remote Mounts
A flow transmitter processes the raw signal from a flow sensor and converts it into an analog 4-20 mA signal, a digital output, or a pulse. With an integral mount, the transmitter electronics sit inside the same housing as the sensor, typically on top of the flow tube. A remote mount uses a cable, often 5 to 30 meters long, to separate the sensor from the converter. The sensor stays on the pipe, and you can install the transmitter on a wall, a panel, or a DIN rail near the control room.
When Remote Mount Makes Sense
Here is the thing: many engineers skip this part during initial design, but we have seen on customer sites that access and ambient conditions decide the mount type faster than any other factor. A compact skid in a water plant may work perfectly with integral transmitters. However, a pipe rack under the sun in the Middle East, with surface temperatures above 70 °C, requires a remote transmitter placed inside a shaded junction box. Vibration is another trigger. Pumps and compressors create high-frequency noise that shortens the life of onboard electronics. In such cases, a remote mount with a 10-meter cable eliminates the problem.
We supplied a remote mount vortex flow meter to a steam application in a Vietnamese textile factory last year. The sensor sits on a DN80 steam line at 8 bar, 175 °C, but the transmitter is mounted 8 meters away at eye level. The customer told us reading the display without climbing a ladder saved at least 15 minutes per shift check.
Advantages of Integral Mounts
An integral flow transmitter costs less because it does not need a separate cable gland, extra cable, or a mounting bracket. Installation is faster, just bolt the meter into the line and connect one cable for power and signal. In water and wastewater treatment plants across Southeast Asia, we see many DN100 electromagnetic flow meters with integral transmitters inside fiberglass shelters. The environment stays below 50 °C, vibration is low, and operators walk up to the meter for readings. Integral mounts also work well for food-grade Coriolis mass flow meters on clean-in-place skids, where you want as few joints and cables as possible.
But there are limits. An integral transmitter exposed to direct sun in coastal Saudi Arabia can overheat and drift. If your fluid temperature exceeds 150 °C, the heat conducted through the pipe can damage the electronics. In those situations, a remote mount is a safer choice.
Choosing Between Remote and Integral: Five Field Variables
In practice, you do not choose based on a brochure. You check five things on site: ambient temperature range, vi
Silver Instruments stocks magnetic flow meters with remote converters rated IP67 and IP68. For ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 gas areas, our remote mount Coriolis and vortex meters come with explosion-proof junction boxes and flameproof glands. An integral ATEX transmitter is also available for simple installations, but always check the T-rating of the electronics against the gas group.
Quick Reference: Remote vs Integral
Remote mount: Max cable 30 m (HART), ideal for sensor temperatures above 120 °C, high vibration, overhead pipes, and flooded pits. Integral mount: Compact, cost-effective, best for indoor skids, DN15 to DN150 water lines, clean environments, and ambient temperatures from -20 to 60 °C. Both types output 4-20 mA, pulse, or digital signals, and our engineers configure the same accuracy class, for example 0.5% of rate for a magnetic flow meter.
FAQ: Remote vs Integral Flow Transmitter
Can I change an integral transmitter to remote later? Changing the mount type requires a different housing and cable entry. It is not a field upgrade. You must specify the mount type at the time of order. Silver Instruments configures the unit accordingly.
What is the maximum cable length for a remote magnetic flow meter? With a shielded, low-capacitance cable, we recommend 30 meters for 4-20 mA HART. For digital outputs like Modbus RTU, the distance can reach 100 meters under good grounding conditions.
Which type is safer for ATEX Zone 1? Both can be certified. A remote mount lets you place the transmitter in a less hazardous area, Zone 2 or safe area, which simplifies maintenance and reduces Ex component cost. Our explosion-proof integral versions also hold ATEX and IECEx certificates.
Does remote mounting reduce accuracy? No. The signal from the sensor is either a frequency, a low-voltage AC, or a digital stream. As long as the cable meets the manufacturer specification and you keep the cable run away from high-power drives, accuracy stays within the published tolerance. We test remote assemblies up to 50 meters in our factory.
What is the price difference between integral and remote flow transmitters? A remote configuration adds the cost of the cable and a wall-mount bracket. For a DN50 electromagnetic flow meter, the remote version typically adds 12 to 18% to the price compared to the integral type. Request a quote with your pipe size and medium for a precise breakdown.
Send us your pressure (bar), temperature (°C), pipe size (DN), and flow range. Our team at Silver Automation Instruments will propose the correct flow meter and mount type for your application. Visit flow-meter.com.au to browse our product families and request a quote with your technical parameters.