IS 2373:1981 specifies requirements for bulk type water meters, including vane-wheel (impeller) and helical types, ranging from 50 mm to 500 mm nominal sizes. It covers design, materials, performance criteria, testing methods, and marking for meters used to measure large volumes of water flow, primarily in municipal and industrial water supply systems. This standard is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers involved in selection, installation, and quality assurance of bulk water meters in India.
Overview
IS 2373:1981 specifies requirements for bulk type water meters, including vane-wheel (impeller) and helical types, ranging from 50 mm to 500 mm nominal sizes. It covers design, materials, performance criteria, testing methods, and marking for meters used to measure large volumes of water flow, primarily in municipal and industrial water supply systems. This standard is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers involved in selection, installation, and quality assurance of bulk water meters in India.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 2373: Scope & Key Specifications for Water Meters
| Nominal Size (mm) | Minimum Registration (litres) | Maximum Registration (litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 50, 80 | 10 | 100,000,000 |
| 100 - 350 | 100 | 1,000,000,000 |
| 400, 500 | 1,000 | 10,000,000,000 |
(Table 2: Ranges of Registration)
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel (L/hr) | Helical Type (L/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 80 | 27,000 | 62,000 |
| 100 | 40,000 | 100,000 |
| 150 | 80,000 | 250,000 |
| 200 | 150,000 | 400,000 |
| 250 | 220,000 | 550,000 |
| 300 | 300,000 | 750,000 |
| 350-500 | — | 1,000,000 to 2,500,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel (L/hr) | Helical Type (L/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 100 | 700 | 1,500 |
| 150 | 1,000 | 3,500 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 5,500 |
| 250 | 3,200 | 9,000 |
| 300 | 6, |
IS 2373: Definitions & Key Specifications
(Refer Fig. 1 & 2 in IS 2373 for visual details)
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type (L/hr) | Helical Type (L/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 80 | 27,000 | 62,000 |
| 100 | 40,000 | 100,000 |
| 150 | 80,000 | 250,000 |
| 200 | 150,000 | 400,000 |
| 250 | 220,000 | 550,000 |
| 300 | 300,000 | 750,000 |
| 350 | — | 1,000,000 |
| 400 | — | 1,500,000 |
| 500 | — | 2,500,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 100 | 700 | 1,500 |
| 150 | 1,000 | 3,500 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 5,500 |
| 250 | 3,200 | 9,000 |
| 300 | 6,400 | 14,000 |
| 350 | — | 20,000 |
| 400 | — | 25,000 |
| 500 | — | 35,000 |
IS 2373: Nominal Size of Water Meters
| Nominal Size (mm) | Nominal Size (mm) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 250 |
| 80 | 300 |
| 100 | 350 |
| 150 | 400 |
| 200 | 500 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Min Registration per Dial Division (Litres) | Max Registration (Litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 50, 80 | 10 | 100,000,000 |
| 100, 150 | 100 | 100,000,000 |
| 200, 250, 300, 350 | 100 | 1,000,000,000 |
| 400, 500 | 1,000 | 10,000,000,000 |
flowchart LR
A[Nominal Size] --> B[Physical Dimensions]
A --> C[Registration Range]
B --> D[Flange Thickness & Bolt Details]
C --> E[Min & Max Registration Volumes]
For detailed flange and bolt dimensions, refer to Clause 3.0 tables in IS 2373.
IS 2373: Materials and Construction Key Points
| Particulars | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Outside diameter, D | 165 +3.0 / -1.0 mm |
| Thickness of flange | 19 ± 2 mm |
| Diameter of bolt circle, C | 125 ± 1.0 mm |
| Number of holes, A | 4 |
| Diameter of bolt holes, d | 19 mm |
| Diameter of bolts | 16 mm |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Min. Registration per Dial (litres) | Max. Registration (litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 50, 80 | 10 | 100,000,000 |
| 100 - 350 | 100 | 1,000,000,000 |
| 400, 500 | 1,000 | 10,000,000,000 |
flowchart TD
A[Materials for Fasteners] -->|Mild Steel, Brass, Stainless Steel| B[Suitable for Water Contact]
B --> C[Flange Dimensions]
C --> D[Outside Diameter, Thickness, Bolt Circle, Holes]
D --> E[Water Meter Registration Ranges]
For detailed design, refer to IS 2373 clauses and referenced IS standards.
IS 2373: Performance Requirements for Water Meters
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| Table 3: Nominal Capacity (Clause 5.3.1) | ||
| 50 | 30,000 | 50,000 |
| 80 | 50,000 | 125,000 |
| 100 | 70,000 | 200,000 |
| 150 | 150,000 | 500,000 |
| 200 | 250,000 | 800,000 |
| 250 | 400,000 | 1,100,000 |
| 300 | 500,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 350 | 2,000,000 | — |
| 400 | 3,000,000 | — |
| 500 | 5,000,000 | — |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| Table 4: Intermediate Flows (Clause 5.3.2) | ||
| 50 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 80 | 27,000 | 62,000 |
| 100 | 40,000 | 100,000 |
| 150 | 80,000 | 250,000 |
| 200 | 150,000 | 400,000 |
| 250 | 220,000 | 550,000 |
| 300 | 300,000 | 750,000 |
| 350 | — | 1,000,000 |
| 400 | — | 1,500,000 |
| 500 | — | 2,500,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
IS 2373: Frost Protection for Water Meters
| Nominal Size (mm) | Capacity Ratings (L/hr) Vane-Wheel | Capacity Ratings (L/hr) Helical |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 80 | 27,000 | 62,000 |
| 100 | 40,000 | 100,000 |
| 150 | 80,000 | 250,000 |
| 200 | 150,000 | 400,000 |
| 250 | 220,000 | 550,000 |
| 300 | 300,000 | 750,000 |
| 350 | — | 1,000,000 |
| 400 | — | 1,500,000 |
| 500 | — | 2,500,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Minimum Starting Flow (L/hr) Vane-Wheel | Minimum Starting Flow (L/hr) Helical |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 100 | 700 | 1,500 |
| 150 | 1,000 | 3,500 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 5,500 |
| 250 | 3,200 | 9,000 |
| 300 | 6,400 | 14,000 |
| 350 | — | 20,000 |
IS 2373 - Marking Specifications for Water Meters
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 17,000 | 20,000 |
| 80 | 27,000 | 62,000 |
| 100 | 40,000 | 100,000 |
| 150 | 80,000 | 250,000 |
| 200 | 150,000 | 400,000 |
| 250 | 220,000 | 550,000 |
| 300 | 300,000 | 750,000 |
| 350 | — | 1,000,000 |
| 400 | — | 1,500,000 |
| 500 | — | 2,500,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel Type | Helical Type |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 100 | 700 | 1,500 |
| 150 | 1,000 | 3,500 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 5,500 |
| 250 | 3,200 | 9,000 |
| 300 | 6,400 | 14,000 |
| 350 | — | 20,000 |
| 400 | — | 25,000 |
| 500 | — | 35,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Min. Dial Division (max) | Max. Registration (min) |
|---|---|---|
| 50, 80 | 10 | 100,000,000 |
| 100 - 300 | 100 |
IS 2373 - Testing Key Points
| Test Type | Sample Size | Key Parameters Checked | Reference Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type Test | 2 (50 mm), 1 (≥80 mm) | Accuracy, loss of head curves | 8.2.1 |
| Production Routine | As per batch | Hydrostatic, performance | 8.3 |
| Acceptance Test | As per order | Similar to type test | 8.1 |
flowchart LR
A[Start Testing] --> B{Test Type}
B -->|Type Test| C[Send samples to authority]
B -->|Production Routine| D[Hydrostatic + Performance Tests]
B -->|Acceptance| E[Verify as per Type Test]
C --> F[Check Accuracy & Loss of Head]
D --> F
E --> F
F --> G[Pass/Fail Decision]
This concise summary aligns with IS 2373 testing clauses and ensures compliance with sample sizes, test types, and performance criteria.
IS 2373: Information to be Supplied by Purchaser
Per Appendix A (Clause 4.1), the purchaser must provide the following details with enquiry/order:
| Nominal Size (mm) | Max. Min. Registration in Dial Division (litres) | Min. Max. Registration (litres) |
|---|---|---|
| 50, 80 | 10 | 100,000,000 |
| 100 to 350 | 100 | 1,000,000,000 |
| 400, 500 | 1,000 | 10,000,000,000 |
This ensures purchaser's requirements are clear for manufacturing and testing compliance.
IS 2373: Method for Measurement of Headloss in Water Meters
Headloss Measurement Setup (Fig. 3):
Procedure:
At specified flow rates (Clause 5.3.1 & 5.3.2), note the pressure drop (ΔP).
Convert pressure drop to headloss (h) using:
[ h = \frac{\Delta P}{\rho g} ]
where:
Typical Flow Rates:
| Parameter | Symbol | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure drop | ΔP | Pascal (Pa) | Measured by manometer |
| Density of water | ρ | kg/m³ | ~1000 kg/m³ at 20°C |
| Gravity | g | m/s² | 9.81 m/s² |
| Headloss | h | meters | ( h = \frac{\Delta P}{\rho g} ) |
flowchart LR
A[Calibrated Tank] --> B[Regulating Valve (RV)]
B --> C[Water Meter (WM)]
C --> D[Discharge Measurement Device]
C --> E[Pressure Taps for Manometer]
E --> F[Manometer]
Frequently Asked
Acceptable Materials for Bulk Water Meters (IS 2373):
Casing (Clause 4.2.1):
Body (Clause 4.2.2):
General Requirements (Clause 4.1):
This ensures durability, safety, and accurate measurement in bulk water meters.
IS 2373 defines minimum starting flow and capacity ratings for water meters as follows:
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel (L/hr) | Helical (L/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 80 | 500 | 1,000 |
| 100 | 700 | 1,500 |
| 150 | 1,000 | 3,500 |
| 200 | 2,400 | 5,500 |
| 250 | 3,200 | 9,000 |
| 300 | 6,400 | 14,000 |
| 350 | — | 20,000 |
| 400 | — | 25,000 |
| 500 | — | 35,000 |
| Nominal Size (mm) | Vane-Wheel (L/hr) | Helical (L/hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 30,000 (Nominal) | 50,000 (Nominal) |
| 80 | 50,000 (Nominal) | 125,000 (Nominal) |
| 100 | 70,000 (Nominal) | 200,000 (Nominal) |
| 150 | 150,000 (Nominal) | 500,000 (Nominal) |
| 200 | 250,000 (Nominal) | 800,000 (Nominal) |
| 250 | 400,000 (Nominal) | 1,100,000 (Nominal) |
| 300 | 500,000 (Nominal) | 1,500,000 (Nominal) |
| 350 |
IS 2373 - Type Tests for Bulk Water Meters
According to IS 2373 (Clause 8.1.2 and 8.2.1), the following type tests are required to verify compliance:
Samples Required:
Tests to be Conducted:
Reporting:
This ensures the meter's design quality, accuracy, and durability meet IS standards before approval.
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Are frost protection devices mandatory?
Options for frost protection devices (Clause 6.1):
Important: Damaged metal rings or plates must be replaced immediately to restore function or prevent water waste.
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Summary: Frost protection depends on purchaser's choice; IS 2373 provides typical device types to safeguard meters in freezing conditions.
According to IS 2373, sealing to prevent tampering should be implemented as follows:
This ensures secure, tamper-proof meters while allowing convenient lock operation from the top where applicable.
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