Electronic Gas Volume Corrector

Basics and Installation Examples

Introduction

Electronic gas volume correctors are generally

battery powered, microprocessor based instruments
used in the natural gas industry to convert the
volume of natural gas as measured from gas meters,
to corrected volume. During the conversion
process, the electronic corrector obtains
measurements of the meter’s gas pressure and
temperature so pressure and temperature factors can Figure 1
be computed and applied to the uncorrected volume. Output shaft and drive-dog of I.D type meter
Another factor, called the “Supercompressibility
Factor” is also computed and applied. Other In many correctors, the input shaft also drives a
functions such as scaling various parameters to the magnet disc assembly. As the magnet on the disc
desired units of measure, alarm detection, alarm rotates past a stationary, magnetically actuated reed
notification, pulse output, digital readouts, and user switch, an electronic pulse is created. Other input
interface, are some of the necessary functions of assemblies may incorporate hall-effect, opto
today’s electronic correctors. sensors, or some other detector, but the purpose
remains the same, to detect a complete (or partial)
Detecting Uncorrected Volume from a Gas meter rotation.
Meter
When compared to the older mechanical
Most volume correctors are designed for
correctors, electronic correctors generally offer very
installation on meters having an instrument drive
little torque loading to the meter. This is a desirable
(I.D.) facility. The correctors are bolted to the meter
feature since an additional load to the meter’s
mounting plate using appropriate bolts, gaskets and
output will reduce its accuracy.
adapter plates where required. The mounting holes
in the meters are pre-drilled and tapped to provide
correct alignment to the meter’s rotating output
shaft.

Through gears, shafts, cables and other

mechanical components, the rotation of the meter’s
output shaft is coupled to the corrector’s input shaft,
which in-turn drives the input to a mechanical
index. Since the mechanical index counts upward
in one direction only, provisions for a reversing
mechanism is needed to provide means of selecting
either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation.
When properly configured, forward flow through
the gas meter results in an increasing count on the
mechanical index.
Figure 2
Mechanical index for recording meter revolutions,
scaled to uncorrected volume
1
Recording Uncorrected Volume
Often, the input assembly makes use of two
stationary reed switches. The dual input switches
allow for continued operation, even if one switch
should fail. In the two-switch arrangement, even
though both switches are activated during one
complete meter revolution, it only provides a count
of one for that revolution.
Figure 3
Corrector’s input shaft with magnet disc assembly
and input switchboard
When meter rotation is detected, the electronic
pulse provided needs to be assigned a certain
amount of volume per rotation. Generally, each
pulse represents the volume of that particular
meter’s drive rate, which is usually stamped onto its
serial plate. This value is then programmed into the
appropriate parameter during corrector setup.
Values for this parameter usually range from 1, 5,
10, 100 or 1000 cubic feet, or 1 or 10 cubic meters.
With the electronic pulse now identified as
volume, each incremental value will be added to a
memory register recording the totalized uncorrected
volume. However, the volume may be re-scaled to
a different unit of measure and may be displayed up
to the maximum number of digits. For example, the
uncorrected volume from a 10-cubic foot meter may
be displayed as “CCF” (cubic feet X 100) with a
maximum of six digits. Generally, the setup
parameter that controls the maximum numbers of
uncorrected volume digits will range from four to
eight.
2
Figure 4
Door-mounted LCD showing the electronic
uncorrected volume reading
Obtaining Analog Measurements
Electronic volume correctors are generally self-
contained, battery-powered instruments, unless high
current-consumption functions are added. These
additional functions may then require the use of an
external power supply. Pressure and temperature
transducers are integral components of the
electronic volume corrector. The circuitry
associated with pressure and temperature
transducers is normally in an un-powered, standby
mode. When the magnet disc rotates, and actuates
the input switches, the analog circuits are energized,
which begins a correction cycle. However, some
correctors ‘wake-up’ based on time, not meter
revolutions. In such correctors, the time between
correction cycles is a parameter programmed by the
user, with 30 minutes being a typical value.
Once the corrector 'wakes-up', the operating
code in firmware instructs the microprocessor to
obtain analog measurements. Typical analog
signals are: gas pressure, gas temperature, battery
voltage and case temperature. These voltages are
multiplexed through an Analog to Digital (A/D)
converter and sent to the microprocessor. The
microprocessor converts the digitized analog
voltages to an equivalent numeric value and stores
this digital information in memory. The values are
then scaled to proper units of measure.

Figure 5
Various strain gauge pressure transducers
Pressure Measurement System
The pressure measuring system commonly
incorporates a strain gauge pressure transducer. The
transducer is located on the inside of the corrector’s
housing with a 1/4" NPT female connector
somewhere on the outside of the housing. A multi-
conductor cable from the transducer plugs into, or
attaches to, the main circuit board to provide the
analog pressure signal.
The analog signal from the transducer is
proportional to the applied pressure. As an
example, with a 0-100 psig transducer that produces
a 0 - 1.0-volt output, when 100.0 pounds of pressure
is applied, the output voltage will be 1.0 volt. If
50.0 pounds of pressure is applied, then the output
will be 0.5 volts. Of course, with no pressure
applied, the output will be zero volts.
As with most transducers, ambient temperature
can affect the accuracy of the output. For that
reason, the pressure measuring system includes
some type temperature compensation. A common
method is to store a temperature response table in
the corrector’s memory for a specific transducer.
Temperature readings from the Case Temperature
Sensor are correlated to the temperature response
table, which is then used to offset the temperature
affects. The result is an accurate pressure
measurement over the entire operating temperature
range. The temperature-compensated pressure
3
reading is then scaled and ready for computation of
the Pressure Correction Factor
Determining Pressure Factor
(Boyle’s Law)
Since natural gas is a compressible fluid, the
pressure applied to the gas is an important
consideration in determining the number of gas
molecules (volume) contained in a closed vessel.
Boyles’s Law defines the relationship between gas
pressure and metered volume, and is expressed as:
Fp = Pm  Pb
Where:
Fp = Pressure Factor
Pm = Absolute Meter Pressure (psia)
Pb = Absolute Base Pressure (psia)
Since Boyle’s Law requires the use of absolute
pressures, pressure readings from an absolute
transducer can be used directly, however, readings
for a gauge-type transducer must be converted to
absolute pressure. Below is the formula to convert
gauge pressure to absolute pressure.
P(abs) = P(g) + P(atmos)
Where:
P(abs) = Absolute Pressure (psia)
P(g) = Pressure reading from transducer (psig)
P(atmos) = Atmospheric Pressure (psia)
Once calculated, the Pressure Factor is used as
a multiplier on the uncorrected volume to produce
Pressure Corrected Volume as defined below.
Pcorvol = UncVol  Fp
Where:
Pcorvol = Pressure Corrected Volume
UncVol = Uncorrected Volume
Fp = Pressure Correction Factor
Gas Temperature System
The temperature system usually consists of a
temperature sensor located inside of ¼” diameter,
stainless-steel probe. Probe lengths of 4 to 12
inches are common, but there are some applications
requiring shorter, smaller diameter probes. The
sensor itself may be either a solid-state thermistor or
an RTD. The main characteristics of the two
sensors are:
Thermistor,
 is a 2-wire, semiconductor device
 has a negative temperature coefficient
 produces a non-linear output
 typically provides 10,000 ohms @ 25 C
RTD (Resistive Temperature Device),
 is a 3 or 4-wire platinum wire device
 has a positive temperature coefficient
 produces a linear output
 typically provides 100 ohms @ 25 C
Figure 6
Temperature probes of varying lengths and
diameters
Regardless of which sensor is used, when
connected to the temperature circuitry, both provide
a DC voltage that varies with gas temperature. As
with the pressure signal, the temperature signal
must also be converted to it’s digital equivalent for
further processing. This includes scaling the values
to the selected unit of measure (such as Fahrenheit
or Celsius) and applying linearization correction
where required. After the temperature signal is
measured, digitized and scaled, it is ready for
computation of the Temperature Correction Factor
Determining Temperature Factor
(Charles’ Law)
Since the temperature of the gas also affects gas
volume calculations, it’s important to understand
this relationship. Charles’ Law defines how gas
4
temperature effects metered volume, and is
expressed as:
Ft = Tb  Tm
Where:
Ft = Temperature Factor
Tb = Absolute Base Temperature
Tm = Absolute Gas Temperature
Since Charles’ Law requires the use of absolute
temperatures, temperature readings from the
corrector must be converted to absolute values.
Below is the formula to convert Fahrenheit to
absolute values.
T(abs) = T F + 459.67
Where:
T(abs) = Absolute Temperature
T F = Gas Temperature in F
459.67 = Conversion Factor
Once calculated, the Temperature Factor is
used as a multiplier on the uncorrected volume to
produce Temperature Corrected Volume as defined
below.
Tcorvol = UncVol  Ft
Where:
Tcorvol = Temperature Corrected Volume
UncVol = Uncorrected Volume
Ft = Temperature Correction Factor
Determining Supercompressibility Factor (per
NX-19 and AGA8)
Boyle’s Law and Charles’ Law define the
relationship of pressure and temperature to gas
volume. These definitions assume an ideal gas, but
in the ‘real world’, natural gas actually compresses
more than these laws state. To accommodate for
this extra bit of gas compression, an additional
factor is implemented in volume correctors. This
third factor is referred to as Supercompressibility.
 Supercompressibility compensation in volume
correctors are usually based on one of three
methods:
 AGA3 (using the NX-19 Table)
 AGA8 (Gross)
 AGA8 (Detailed)
AGA3 (American Gas Association Publication
#3) is by far the most common method of providing
Supercompressibility correction in volume
correctors. To interpolate values from the AGA3,
NX-19 tables, gas pressure, gas temperature,
specific gravity, percent Nitrogen and percent
Carbon Dioxide are entered into a complex
algorithm. The resulting value must then be
squared to produce the Supercompressibility Factor,
(Fpv).
Some volume correctors offer AGA8 (Gross
method) Supercompressibility. This newer method
is considered to be more accurate than the NX-19
tables, but is limited down to only 32F.
Two computational methods are available when
configuring the correctors for AGA8 (Gross),
Relative Density and Heating Value. When setting
up the corrector for the Relative Density method,
specific gravity, percent Nitrogen and percent
Carbon Dioxide are entered. In the Heating Value
method, specific gravity, percent Carbon Dioxide
and the gas Heat Value (BTU) are entered.
Very few volume correctors offer the third
method of computing Supercompressibility, AGA8
(Detailed). The Detailed method has long been
used in Orifice meter applications, but is relatively
new to volume correctors. In this method, many
more gas composition parameters must be entered
into the corrector. The parameters usually consist
of; % Methane, % Nitrogen, % Carbon Dioxide, %
Ethane, % Propane, % Water, % Hydrogen Sulfide,
% Hydrogen, % Carbon Monoxide, % Oxygen, %
Iso-Butane, % N-Butane, % Iso-Pentane, % N-
Pentane, % N-Hexane, % N-Heptane, % N-Octane,
% N-Nonane, % N-Decane, % Helium and %
Argon.
As with all Supercompressibility methods, the
individual gas composition values are either
assumed (based on history or knowledge of the gas
5
system) or provided from a gas chromatograph (gas
analyzer) from a sample of the supply gas. Since
the percentages of the individual composition
parameters can very, it’s common to update the
values periodically.
Corrected Volume
In the previous sections, it was explained how
volume correctors detect and record uncorrected
volume. Also explained was how correctors
measure gas pressure and gas temperature, and how
to compute pressure factor, temperature factor and
the Supercompressibility factor. To compute
Corrected Volume, it is a simple matter of
multiplying the Uncorrected Volume (detected on
each meter revolution) by the Pressure, Temperature
and Supercompressibility Factors, calculated on the
same meter revolution. The result is the amount of
corrected volume for that meter revolution as
defined below.
CorVol = UncVol  Fp Ft Fpv
Where:
CorVol = Corrected Volume
UncVol = Uncorrected Volume
Fp = Pressure Correction Factor
Ft = Temperature Correction Factor
Fpv = Supercompressibility Correction Factor
The corrected volume value (per revolution) is
then added to the memory register that keeps a
running total of all corrected volumes computed
from all previous meter revolutions.
Figure 7
Corrected Volume displayed on LCD
 Since most volume correctors incorporate some
type of digital display (an LCD being the most
common), the totalized corrected volume is readily
viewable. Corrector configuration allows users to
‘customize’ the corrected volume reading by
offering choices for the total number of digits,
usually ranging from four to eight digits, and to
allow selection of the unit of measure.
The most common corrected volume units are
“CCF” and “MCF” for Imperial units, or “m3” and
“m3 x 10” for metric.
Where:
CCF represents Cubic Feet X 100
MCF represents Cubic Feet X 1000
m3 represents Cubic Meters
m3 X 10 represents Cubic Meters X 10
Depending on the particular corrector, other
volume units may also be available for selection.
Instrument Power (battery, solar, AC, etc)
In general, today’s volume correctors are
designed to be battery powered. Especially since
the newer circuit boards make use of low-power
consumption components. There are a variety of
battery options that include, but are not limited to
alkaline, lithium, gel-cell, lead-acid and nickel-
cadium. The last three are rechargeable batteries,
usually requiring an external power source such as
an AC Power Supply or a Solar Panel charging
system.
For the most part, an alkaline battery pack is
provided as the corrector’s standard power supply.
The reliability, longevity and shelf life of alkaline
batteries have increased over the years to the point
where, a multi-cell alkaline battery pack can provide
years of service. However, if options such as
modems are installed, it might be necessary to
substitute a lithium battery pack to provide longer
service.
6
Figure 8
Various battery packs used electronic volume
correctors
Lithium cells provide more stored energy than
an alkaline cell of the same physical size, but they
are also more expensive. Lithium cells also output
over twice the voltage of an alkaline cell, so it’s
usually not possible to simply insert lithium cells
into a battery pack designed for alkaline batteries.
Regardless of the battery type, be sure to use
only those battery packs specified by the corrector
manufacturer. Since most volume correctors have
some type of safety approval, battery packs with
part numbers listed on the manufacturer’s control
drawings must be used to conform to the approved
installations into hazardous locations.
Instrument Configuration
(programming of items)
Electronic volume correctors are dedicated
computers, and like standard computers, correctors
can be programmed to fit the needs of the user.
Electronic correctors have at least one and probably
several types of memory. Certain types of memory
are better suited to contain the operating system,
sometimes referred to as firmware. Firmware is the
operating code that makes this dedicated computer a
volume corrector. In some correctors, the firmware
may be replaced (upgraded) to a newer version,
while others incorporate OTP (One Time Program)
microprocessors. In these cases, firmware upgrades
are not possible and any feature enhancements or
bug fixes require the replacement of the processor
board.
While the corrector is operational, i.e. running
the operating code (firmware), it becomes necessary
to store information, either temporarily or long-
term. RAM (Random Access Memory) or
EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory) are often used for this type of
storage. Firmware creates memory locations for
storing various types of information. These
locations may be referred to as Registers, Memory
Registers, ID Codes, Item Codes or some other
similar name.
A group of memory registers can then be set
aside to receive information from the user on how to
customize a particular corrector for the needs of a
specific installation. This group of items is often
referred to as Configuration Items.
Listed below are common Configuration Items
available in most correctors.
 Corrected volume units
 Number of Corrected volume digits
 Uncorrected volume units
 Number of Uncorrected volume digits
 Pressure units
 Temperature units
 Base pressure
 Base temperature
 Atmospheric pressure
 Specific gravity
 % Nitrogen
 % Carbon Dioxide
 Pressure Low alarm limit
 Pressure High alarm limit
 Temperature Low alarm limit
 Temperature High alarm limit
 Battery Low alarm limit
 Meter index rate
7
Where possible, it’s a common practice for gas
companies to configure most (or all) correctors to be
nearly identical. Some items, such as Meter Index
Rate and Pressure Alarm Limits need to be site
specific, but others, like Corrected Volume Units
may be the same for all correctors. It’s really up to
the individual gas companies to determine the best
configuration of the corrector. The goal of course,
is to provide the best information in the format that
best fits their particular needs.
The specific manner in which correctors are
configured can vary from one manufacturer to the
next. Some older correctors provided an integral or
detachable keypad for on-site configuration and
calibration. Others use DIP switches, trim-pots or
toggle switches to select or adjust certain functions.
However, most current day correctors provide
instrument configuration via a serial data port.
Laptop computers or some other hand-held devices
are now the most common method of accessing and
changing instrument configuration.
Instrument Calibration
As mentioned, keypads, DIP switches, trim-
pots and toggle switches were often used to
configure and calibrate older correctors. Today,
pressure and temperature transducers are calibrated
using a laptop computer, running companion
software provided by the corrector manufacturer.
The corrector’s serial port is connected to the
laptop’s serial port to provide a data link. The
software is written to provide a very simple two-
step calibration process. Step-one (Zero
Calibration) for both pressure and temperature
calibration, is to apply a low-reading condition to
the transducer. For pressure calibration, the most
convenient zero reference is to just open the
transducer inlet to atmosphere. For temperature
systems, a common practice is to insert the
temperature probe into an agitated ice bath that
produces a reading close to 32F (0C).

Figure 9
Example of one manufacturer’s keypad used to
configure and calibrate the corrector
When the reading has stabilized, the software
obtains several sample readings via the serial port.
The samples are averaged and then compared to the
zero-reference value to determine if an adjustment
to the zero reading is required. The software sends
new calibration information through the serial port
to specific memory registers in the corrector to
make the offset adjustments. After the offset
correction is applied, the corrector will then provide
correct readings for ‘zero’ conditions.
The corrector provides a linear output for both
pressure and temperature measurements. Since it
takes two points to define a straight line, a
minimum of two calibration points is required. The
first calibration point was obtained during Zero
Calibration in the previous paragraph. The second
point is obtained during Span Calibration. During
Span Calibration, the transducer is subjected to an
upscale reading. After the reading has stabilized,
the software obtains a few sample readings. The
samples are averaged and compared to an accurate
calibration reference. Span adjustments are then
sent to the corrector via the serial port and stored in
specific memory registers. After Zero and Span
calibrations are completed, the corrector will
provide accurate readings across the entire
transducer range.
8
Data Logging (audit trail, event log, etc.),
purpose and examples
The primary purpose of an electronic volume
corrector is to calculate and display an accurate
running total of corrected volume. However, in
many correctors, a secondary function is to record
log-data of the meter site. The resulting information
has various names, including, Load Profile, Load
Survey, Archive Data, Historical Data, Audit Trail
Data, to name a few. The logged data is often
stored in RAM or EEPROM memory and the
amount of stored data is limited by the total amount
of memory made available for this function.
Storage capacities vary, but one to many months of
hourly data is common.
Log-data is the accumulation of flow
information recorded at regular time intervals. The
time intervals are usually every one-hour or every
one-day (or both), however, other intervals such as
5-minute, 15-minute and 30-minute intervals may
also be offered.
When configured for hourly logging, the time
intervals start at the beginning of each new hour and
end at the beginning of the next hour. Therefore,
each day of audit trail data is comprised of 24
records. Conversely, each day of daily logging will
only produce one record.
The number of log-data fields, and the data
contained within the data fields can vary, depending
on the corrector’s manufacturer. However, it’s
quite common to provide at least six data fields
containing the following information.
Data Field #1: Date
Data Field #2: Time
Data Field #3 Interval Corrector Volume
Data Field #4: Interval Uncorrected Volume
Data Field #5: Interval Average Pressure
Data Field #6: Interval Average Temperature
 Some volume correctors allow as many as Below is a sample of an abbreviated Event Log
twelve data fields per record and even permit the
user to select the type of data to be recorded in each 01/01/03 08:11:27 0 Base Press 14.73 14.65
data field. In general, the first six data fields can be 01/01/03 08:11:29 1 Sp. Gr. 0.600 0.585
considered as ‘billing data’ while the remaining 01/01/03 08:11:34 2 % N2 0.000 1.500
fields may be used for troubleshooting or other 01/01/03 08:11:37 3 % CO2 0.000 2.700
specific functions. Below is an example of hourly 01/01/03 08:11:40 4 CorVol units CCF MCF
log-data in a tabular listing. 01/01/03 08:11:42 5 UncVol units CCF CCF

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 After reviewing the above information, an

01/01/03 08:00:00 21 4 61.91 47.32 obvious use of this data would be to determine the
01/01/03 09:00:00 26 5 61.78 47.12 exact data and time an item value was changed.
01/01/03 10:00:00 21 4 62.04 47.44 This could be useful in billing disputes if the Event
01/01/03 11:00:00 22 4 62.22 47.37 Log contains the change that caused the dispute.
01/01/03 12:00:00 16 3 63.55 47.32 For example, if a corrector is installed with
01/01/03 13:00:00 27 5 61.55 47.82 incorrect volume units (such as CCF) and was then
later changed to the correct units (MCF), a billing
The following is an example of daily log-data in a adjustment can be justified since the time of day (to
tabular listing. the second) the change was made is recorded.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Alarm Detection
01/01/03 09:00:00 84 16 61.91 47.32
01/02/03 09:00:00 104 20 61.78 47.12 As described in the section “Obtaining Analog
01/03/03 09:00:00 85 16 62.04 47.44 Measurements” the corrector reads pressure,
01/04/03 09:00:00 88 16 62.22 47.37 temperature and battery voltages. These analog
01/05/03 09:00:00 64 12 63.55 47.32 measurements are multiplexed through an Analog to
01/06/03 09:00:00 108 20 61.55 47.82 Digital (A/D) converter and sent to the
microprocessor. The microprocessor converts the
A second type of log-data is the Event Log. digitized analog voltages to an equivalent numeric
The Event Log is usually a separate memory value and stores this digital information in memory.
location, apart from the log-data described above The values are then scaled to proper units of
but may also reside in RAM or EEPROM. The measure that can be compared to stored alarm limits
purpose of the Event Log is to record changes made to produce a variety of instrument alarms.
to the corrector’s configuration. An Event Log
record is created when a configuration change is Typical alarms from analog data may include,
made. Date and time fields are included in each but not limited to:
Event Log record to time-stamp when the changes
were made. In addition to date and time, other  Pressure High Alarm
parameters included with each record are: a  Pressure Low Alarm
sequential event number (starting at zero), the name  Temperature High Alarm
of the changed item, the item’s old value and the  Temperature Low Alarm
item’s new value.  Battery Voltage Low Alarm
 Back-up Battery Voltage Low Alarm

9

As mentioned earlier, since the volume corrector
is really a dedicated computer, a variety of
parameters are also calculated and stored at their
specific memory register. These calculated
parameters could also be compared to user-defined
alarm limits to produce their own alarms.
Typical alarms from calculated data may
include, but not be limited to:
 Daily CorVol Limit Exceeded
 Flow Rate High Limit Exceeded
 Flow Rate Low Limit Exceeded
Volume correctors can also produce a variety of
other alarms that would be specific to that model of
corrector. These types of alarms may include
problems (or faults) with input pulsers, output
pulsers, A/D circuitry, memory, and others.
Pulse Output
Most electronic volume correctors offer as a
standard feature, the ability to send corrected and
uncorrected volume pulses to a remote receiver.
The purpose of remote receivers is to collect and
store volume data for an AMR (Automatic Meter
Reading) system or to display a remote corrected
volume reading. In both cases, the pulses are
configured (through instrument item codes) to a
specific amount of volume per pulse. In general,
the value of the pulse is the same volume unit as the
corrected volume on the LCD. However, pulse
scaling is usually adjustable to provide higher
resolution (more pulses) if required.
The transmission of Form-A pulses (2-wire
connection) is more common than Form-C pulses
(3-wire connection). Some correctors offer the
ability to use both but either type requires a
‘wetting’ voltage provided by the receiving device.
When transmitting pulses to a pulse receiver, factors
such as type of cable (shielded or not shielded), wire
size, length of cable, number of conductors and use
of safety barriers must be considered.
10
Serial Communications
Transferring data to or from the corrector is a
very important and necessary function. Most
electronic volume correctors provide this function
via a serial data port. The data port is usually
externally mounted for ease of access, but some
correctors may have the connection inside the
corrector housing for security or other reasons.
Serial data communications in volume
correctors usually implement the RS-232C protocol
standards. This protocol deals with parameters such
as: voltage levels of the data signals, number of data
bits, number of stop bits, parity, baud rate, etc. Of
these, baud rate is the most common parameter the
user will configure (either in the corrector or in the
laptop) to obtain a communication link.
While the laptop is communicating with the
corrector, another type of protocol is implemented
and may be referred to as the corrector’s ‘native’
protocol. The instrument’s native protocol is a
collection of rules that must be followed by the
corrector and the laptop (via host software) to
properly exchange data through the serial link.
These ’rules’ are a collection of commands, control
characters, alphanumeric characters, etc. that must
be assembled in proper formats. The corrector’s
native protocol is generally used to configure,
calibrate and extract log-data from the instrument.
Modbus is probably the most familiar serial
protocol used in the natural gas industry and is
generally used by the host computer system
(SCADA software) to obtain remote readings. But
even Modbus ‘rules’ can vary from one system to
another since there are many variants. Two major
variations within Modbus are ASCII and RTU
(binary).
Regardless of the serial protocol used, the
corrector must receive properly formatted
commands to return proper responses. Most serial
protocols incorporate some type of error checking to
prevent the acceptance of corrupted data. Error
checking is a necessity when transmitting data over
long distances, especially over radio and modem
links. In those cases, where corruption is detected, a
retry scheme is attempted. If data corruption is
severe enough, the serial session (data link) is
terminated and a call-back can be tried at a later
time.
The protocols used in volume correctors have
varying degrees of effective error checking. Some
protocols have next to no error checking while some
have very robust error checking. Two common
types of error checking implemented in the
corrector’s native protocol are LRC (Longitudinal
Redundancy Check) and CRC-16 (Cyclical
Redundancy Check).
Traditional Meter-Mounted Correctors,
Examples
Photographs in Figures 11-19 are representative
of meter installations using the traditional
corrector-to-meter mounting. At these installations,
the input signal for uncorrected volume is
developed from a reed switch that produces one
switch closure per meter revolution. A rotating
magnet, driven by the meter’s output shaft, actuates
the reed switch. The corrector’s input shaft also
drives a mechanical uncorrected volume index, as
illustrated in the simplified drawing of figure 10.

Corrector Mounting and Interfacing

(traditional and non-traditional)

Over the past few decades, most volume

correctors have been installed on I.D. type meters,
i.e., those meters with a rotating output shaft.
For the most part, these are still the most
common or traditional type installations. However,
in recent years, non-traditional types of meter
mounting and meter interfacing have become more
visible.

Figure 10
Simplified diagram of a volume corrector for
traditional meter installations. These correctors
generally include a mechanical index and an
internally generated, uncorrected volume signal.

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 Figure 11
Dresser 5M LMMA rotary meter with meter-
mounted corrector
Figure 13
Rockwell 10,000 diaphragm meter with meter-
mounted corrector

Figure 12 Figure 14
Two Dresser 11M rotary meters with meter- Three Dresser 102M rotary meters with meter-
mounted correctors mounted correctors

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 Figure 16
American AL-5000 diaphragm meter with meter-
mounted pulse transmitter and corrector.
Figure 15
American AL-800 diaphragm meter with meter-
mounted corrector

Figure 17
Two Equimeter 4” turbine meters with meter-
mounted correctors, both wired for Internet access.

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 Figure 18
American 6” turbine meter with meter-mounted
corrector

Figure 19
Equimeter 6” turbine meter with meter-mounted
corrector. The corrector contains an internal
modem and AC-to-DC power supply

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Non-traditional Corrector Mounting and
Interfacing, Examples

Photographs in Figures 21–36 are

representative of meter installations using non-
traditional meter-to-corrector interfacing.
Generally, the correctors are remote-mounted but in
close proximity to the meters. Uncorrected volume
pulses or switch closures are connected to the
instruments via signal cables. A simplified diagram
of each example (Figures, 20, 25, 28 and 34) is
provided to compare the different interfaces.

Figure 21
American RPM 3.5M rotary meter with meter-
bracket mounted corrector. An internal meter
switch and probe provide uncorrected volume and
temperature signals to the corrector

Figure 20
Simplified diagram a remote switch input for non-
traditional meter installations. These correctors
may be mounted to the meter with a special
mounting bracket, or may be wall or pipe-mounted
near the meter. A low frequency reed switch,
located inside the meter, provides the uncorrected
volume signal to the corrector. This type of
corrector would not normally include a mechanical
uncorrected volume index, however, one may be Figure 22
provided with the meter. Romet 11000 rotary meter with pipe-mounted
corrector. The uncorrected volume signal is
provided via a switch, internal to the meter’s
mechanical index.

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Figure 23
Instromet 11M rotary meter with pipe-mounted
corrector and cellular communications. The
uncorrected volume signal is provided via a switch,
internal to the meter’s mechanical index.
Figure 24
Instromet 2M rotary meter with bracket-mounted
corrector. The uncorrected volume signal is
provided via a switch, internal to the meter’s
mechanical index
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Figure 25
Simplified diagram of a low frequency input for
non-traditional meter installations. These
correctors are usually wall or pipe-mounted near the
meter. A low frequency pulser provides the
uncorrected volume signal to the corrector.
Figure 26
RMG turbine meter with bracket-mounted
corrector. The meter’s low-frequency pulse output
assembly provides the uncorrected volume signal.
 Figure 28
Simplified diagram of a high frequency input for
non-traditional meter installations. These
correctors can be wall-mounted, pipe-mounted or
meter-bracket mounted. The corrector scales the
input signal to provide a compatible low frequency
output.

Figure 27
Schlumberger Dattus fluidic oscillation meter with
wall-mounted corrector. The meter’s low-
frequency pulse output assembly provides the
uncorrected volume signal.

Figure 29
Daniel 8” turbine meter with bracket-mounted
corrector. The meter’s high-frequency blade-tip
sensors provide the uncorrected volume signal.

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 Figure 32
Two Dresser 1.5M LMMA rotary meters with
integral-corrector. The corrector’s high-frequency
magnetic sensors provide the uncorrected volume
Figure 30 signal.
Instromet Ultrasonic meter with pipe-mounted
corrector, providing fully electronic metering and
volume correction, i.e. no moving parts. The
meter’s processor unit provides a high frequency
output as the uncorrected volume signal. Although
the output frequency range is adjustable, this
configuration provides 5000 hertz at max. flow rate.
The corrector scales the input frequency to a
compatible low frequency signal.

Figure 31
Dresser 3M LMMA rotary meter with integral-
corrector. The corrector’s high-frequency magnetic
sensors provide the uncorrected volume signal.
Figure 33
Dresser 5M rotary meter with integral-corrector.
This installation is a retrofit of the corrector in
photo 11. The corrector’s high-frequency magnetic
sensors provide the uncorrected volume signal.

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 Figure 34
Simplified diagram of a dual, high frequency input
for non-traditional meter installations. These
correctors receive two high frequency signals,
which are processed using proprietary algorithms
supplied by the meter’s manufacturer. A variety of
outputs are computed including a low frequency
pulse that receives the pressure, temperature and Figure 36
Super corrections. Invensys Auto Adjust Turbo Meters (AAT) with a
meter-mounted corrector. The meter’s rotating
output shaft provides a mechanical uncorrected
volume reading while the dual, high frequency slot-
sensor signals are the inputs used to compute the
complete Self-Checking and Self-Adjusting
computations. These meter/corrector combinations
require an external power supply. At this location, a
thermal electric generator (TEG) is located to the
left of the meter.

Figure 35
Two Invensys 12” Auto Adjust Turbo Meters
(AAT) with meter-mounted correctors. The dual,
high frequency slot-sensor signals are the inputs
used to compute the complete Self-Checking and
Self-Adjusting computations.

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