Meters' Precautions in Summer (Part 1) General Maintenance

Summer's high temperatures, high humidity, frequent heavy rains, and the risk of lightning strikes are all "natural enemies" of meters. Summer maintenance should focus on the core aspects of "cooling, moisture prevention, lightning protection, and preventing media deterioration."

There are four main problems with meters that are most likely to occur in summer.

First, high temperatures cause meter components to age, such as sensors and circuit boards. Their performance will degrade or even burn out under high temperatures .

Secondly, high humidity and condensation, large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the workshop, and the dampness of the rainy season, make it easy for moisture to enter into the meter, causing short circuits or component corrosion .

Third, the heavy rain caused the meter seals to fail, resulting in damage with water.

Fourth, materials are easy to go bad and viscosity changes in  summer. For example, fruit juice ferments and sauces become thinner, which can affect the measurement accuracy of liquid level and flow meters.

In addition to targeted maintenance for different meters (see the next article) , there are four general points to pay attention to in summer meter maintenance.

First, strengthen lightning protection. In summer, there are many thunderstorms, so surge protectors should be installed on the signal lines and power lines of meters. The status of surge protectors should be checked regularly to ensure normal operation. The grounding of meters should be firm and the grounding resistance should meet the requirements to prevent lightning strikes from damaging the meters.

Second, increase the frequency of daily inspections. Meter failures are more common in summer, so arrange inspections at least twice a day. Focusing on whether the meter display is normal, whether the seal is good, whether the heat dissipation is smooth, and whether the wiring is secure. Deal with any problems in a timely manner and do not delay until they affect production.

Third, take precautions against moisture and humidity. Dehumidifiers can be installed in the workshop to reduce the ambient humidity. Desiccants can be placed inside the meters and replaced regularly to prevent condensation from corroding the parts. And the drain holes of the meters should be kept clear to avoid water accumulation.

Fourth, prepare enough emergency spare parts, such as commonly used spare parts like sealing gaskets, sensors, and surge protectors. So that they can be replaced in time in case of meter failure, reducing production downtime. Also, be familiar with the handling methods for common faults, such as water entering, display drift, and signal loss, so that you can quickly locate and resolve problems when they occur.