Accurate, continuous flow monitoring is essential to modern water resource management and flood early-warning systems. Traditional contact-based measurement methods are not only difficult to maintain during flood season but also carry safety risks for maintenance personnel. This guide walks through configuring and installing a 4G online radar flow meter, and explains how the same setup applies to real-world river monitoring scenarios.
1. Hardware Assembly & DTU Preparation
Before installation, complete the setup of the 4G DTU (Data Transmission Unit):
- Connect the antenna: The 4G DTU consists of a module and an antenna. Attach the antenna to the module’s interface and tighten it securely to ensure stable signal reception.
- Insert the SIM card: Use the included ejector tool to press the yellow button and release the SIM card tray. Place the SIM card in the tray and reinsert it into the DTU module.
2. Wiring Guide
Correct wiring is the foundation of stable long-term operation. The system involves three main connection points: the DTU, the instrument cabinet, and the sensor.
- DTU wiring: Primarily uses the power terminal and the RS485 communication terminal.
- Instrument cabinet power: The cabinet requires a 24VDC power supply.
- Sensor wire color reference:
| Wire Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Red | Power positive (+) |
| Blue | Power negative (−) |
| Green | RS485 A |
| Yellow | RS485 B |
Note: Wire color assignments may vary slightly across sensor batches or models. Before final installation, confirm against the wiring diagram included with your unit or check with technical support.
3. Local Display Operation
Once powered on, the main display shows four core monitoring parameters in real time: instantaneous flow, cumulative flow, flow velocity, and water level.
- Language switching: Tap the icon in the top-left corner to toggle between Chinese and English display.
- Historical data query: Tap “History Data” in the bottom-right corner to view previously logged readings, with export support for offline analysis and record-keeping.
4. Application Example: KLF110 for River Monitoring
Scenario: A typical open river cross-section — wide channel, water levels that fluctuate significantly with seasonal rainfall, and water that consistently carries suspended debris and sediment. This kind of site is a classic case where contact-based flow sensors traditionally struggle to run reliably over time.
Approach: Deploy a KLF110 radar flow meter for non-contact measurement.
- Installation method: The sensor is mounted on a bracket above the river channel, with no part of the unit touching the water.
- Core advantage: Radar technology measures surface velocity and water level simultaneously, using an integrated algorithm to calculate flow rate in real time. Because the sensor never contacts the water, it avoids debris entanglement and sediment interference entirely.
- Where this fits best: This approach is particularly well suited to river sections with large seasonal water-level swings, or sites where flood-season conditions make contact sensors prone to damage and frequent maintenance — significantly reducing the need for on-site servicing.
5. Cloud Platform Remote Monitoring Setup
Using the 4G network, flow data can be managed and monitored remotely:
- Log in to the platform: Once logged in with your account credentials, the DTU automatically establishes communication with the platform and begins uploading data as soon as the field device is powered on — no additional manual steps required.
- Data analysis: View real-time monitoring data, or select a custom start and end date to pull up historical trend curves for analysis or anomaly review.
- Device management and remote configuration:
- Group management: Supports device grouping, renaming, and communication protocol selection — useful for managing multiple monitoring sites from one account.
- Remote configuration: Using the “Read/Write Command Settings” feature, sensor parameters can be adjusted remotely, eliminating the need for a site visit and reducing overall maintenance cost.
FAQ
Q: What network signal conditions does the 4G DTU support?
A basic 4G signal at the installation site is generally sufficient. In areas with weak coverage, consider an external antenna or a signal-boosted DTU variant.
Q: Does sensor wiring require a professional electrician?
It’s recommended that a technician with basic electrical installation experience follow the wiring diagram closely — reversing polarity or mismatching the RS485 line order can cause communication faults.
Q: How many devices can the cloud platform support simultaneously?
Device capacity depends on the platform tier and account permissions. For large-scale multi-site deployments, confirm platform capacity with our technical team in advance.
Conclusion
The 4G radar flow meter offers a low-maintenance, high-reliability automated monitoring solution for open channels and natural rivers — particularly well suited to sites with significant water-level fluctuation where traditional contact-based sensors struggle to run reliably. If you need a more detailed wiring diagram or selection guidance for a specific site environment, feel free to contact our technical support team.
