What is the primary function of a positive displacement water meter?

The primary function of a positive displacement water meter is to measure the volume of water by entrapping it. This type of meter operates on the principle of capturing a specific volume of water in a chamber and then counting the number of times that chamber fills and empties. Each complete cycle through the chamber represents a specific volume of water, allowing for accurate measurement of total flow over time.

Unlike electronic meters that focus on measuring flow rate directly, positive displacement meters provide a cumulative volume of water that has passed through the meter. This makes them ideal for applications where precise total water usage is critical. They are commonly used in residential and commercial water metering because they offer reliable performance, especially at low flow rates.

In contrast, measuring water temperature and pressure are separate functions that do not pertain to volume measurement. Thus, the focus of a positive displacement water meter is solely related to capturing and counting the volume of water, ensuring accurate billing and monitoring of water consumption.