A portable weir plate is one of the most versatile tools you could ask for when it comes to measuring flow. As long as you handle installation correctly, you can take your plate from site to site and enjoy accurate flow measurements at every location. Here are a few quick tips for portable weir plate installation that will help you make sure you get the most out of your flow device.
1. Position the Weir Crest
Positioning the weir crest is the first step of installation. First, you’ll need to know the maximum head in your system, and then you should set your crest about two to three times above this level. Your crest should also be about two inches above the maximum water level in the downstream channel. Proper crest positioning will help your weir plate to function correctly and allow your operators to take accurate readings.
2. Orienting the Weir Plate
Once you know where you should position your weir crest, orienting the plate is the next step in the installation process. As with all flow devices, your weir plate needs to be installed in the center of the flow channel. The plate should also span the channel so that no flow can escape around the sides of the weir.
Your weir plate also needs to be level, both front to back and side to side. If it is not level, there is a good chance that flow in your channel will cause it to shift out of place. Lastly, the weir crest needs to be horizontally level. Making sure that your weir crest is level will ensure that flow is able to spill freely.
3. Reinforce the Channel If Necessary
Because they can be moved easily from site to site, portable weir plates are commonly used in outdoor applications. If you’re going to be using your device in a natural channel, reinforcing the channel should be your final step in portable weir plate installation.
Reinforcing is important because flow can easily wear away the walls of the channel, which is called scouring when it occurs downstream of the flume. If this happens, your weir plate may eventually shift out of place. You can add armoring to your weir to prevent flow from bypassing your device and wearing away the downstream channel. Periodically, have your operators check the reinforcements to make sure that they’re still in place.
Get the Flow Device You Need
Correctly handling installation is crucial if you want to get the most out of your portable weir plate. Fortunately, if you follow these portable weir plate installation tips, you should have no trouble getting your device up and running, and if you need a flow management device for your operation, Tracom FRP is here for you.
Tracom is your go-to resource for first-class fiberglass products from flow management devices such as flumes and weir boxes to equipment shelters that can protect your tools for years to come. Contact one of our representatives today and we’ll help you pick out the right device for your flow management needs.
