How does a gas meter work?
There are gas meters in almost all households with a gas connection, but how does a gas meter work? What types are there and what are they used for?
A gas meter measures household consumption
Just like an electricity meter, a gas meter is a measuring device. This means that your household consumption is measured over a certain period of time, read as a meter reading on the counter and then billed.
The unit of measurement for the gas volume is one cubic meter. The billing is converted into so-called standard cubic meters. The device always measures in the operating state. The municipal utilities usually provide the meters so that you do not have to buy one yourself.
Read the counter reading on the counter
The reading of the consumption by the local network operator, for example the municipal utility, usually takes place once a year.
Your measuring device - like any other - has a meter number. This is assigned to your place of residence and is usually next to a barcode in a blue border. There is a roller counter with a number in a red border on the gas meter. This shows your current meter reading.
How a diaphragm gas meter works - a brief introduction to various models
The various gas meters are divided into high and low pressure models. Devices in the low-pressure range are generally used for household use. High-pressure devices are often used in industrial plants. There are also diaphragm gas, rotary piston, turbine and ultrasonic meters. Digital meters, so-called "smart meters", are very modern.
If you have to read the gas meter yourself, the numbers that apply to ...
The diaphragm gas meter works best for private households. But how exactly does this counter work? The diaphragm gas meter has two membranes with chambers that are repeatedly filled and drained. The rotary piston meter, on the other hand, has two pistons that build up and then reduce the pressure. In the turbine meter, one wheel rotates proportionally to the consumption.
The ultrasonic meter works without any mechanical parts. It measures the sound wave at runtime. The digital gas meters record the actual energy consumption and automatically send the data to the network operator.
