The Flume device works by monitoring your home's water usage directly from your compatible water meter, providing real-time data and insights through a smart system. It operates through the interplay of a water sensor and a bridge, translating your meter's readings into actionable information.
How the Flume Smart Water Monitor Works
The Flume system is designed to provide comprehensive water intelligence by accurately tracking water flow in and out of your home. It achieves this by sensing the magnetic field generated by your existing water meter, converting these physical signals into digital data accessible via a smartphone application.
The Core Components of the Flume System
The functionality of Flume relies on two primary components that work in tandem:
Flume Water Sensor
The Flume Water Sensor is the heart of the monitoring system. It is specifically designed to be installed directly onto a compatible water meter. This sensor cannot be installed on a pipe, nor is it designed to work with a well system; it requires a standard water meter connection.
- Installation: The sensor easily straps onto the exterior of your water meter, requiring no plumbing modifications or professional installation.
- Measurement: Once attached, the sensor continuously measures the magnetic field emitted by the spinning dials or components within the water meter as water flows through it. This magnetic field is directly correlated with the volume of water passing through the meter.
Flume Bridge
The Flume Bridge acts as the communication hub for the system. After the Flume Water Sensor captures data from the meter, it needs a way to transmit that information to you.
- Data Transmission: The sensor sends the collected water usage information wirelessly to the Flume Bridge using Radio Frequency (RF) signals.
- Connectivity: The Flume Bridge typically connects to your home's Wi-Fi network and then relays the data from the sensor to the cloud, making it accessible through the Flume mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
The Step-by-Step Monitoring Process
Here's a breakdown of how the Flume device monitors your water usage from beginning to end:
- Sensor Placement: The Flume Water Sensor is physically strapped onto your home's compatible water meter.
- Magnetic Field Detection: As water flows through your meter, the internal components rotate, creating a unique magnetic field. The Flume Sensor continuously detects and interprets these subtle magnetic field changes.
- Data Transmission to Bridge: The sensor then converts these magnetic field readings into digital data representing water flow and usage. This data is transmitted wirelessly via Radio Frequency (RF) signals to the Flume Bridge, which needs to be within range.
- Bridge Relays Data to Cloud: The Flume Bridge, connected to your home's internet, receives the RF signals from the sensor and uploads this water usage data to Flume's secure cloud servers.
- Access Via App: Once in the cloud, the data becomes accessible through the Flume mobile application on your device. This allows you to view real-time water consumption, historical usage patterns, set budgets, and receive alerts for potential leaks or unusual activity.
Important Installation Requirements
To ensure proper functionality, it is crucial to understand Flume's specific installation requirements:
- Compatible Water Meter: The Flume Water Sensor must be installed on a compatible water meter.
- No Pipe Installation: It cannot be installed directly on a water pipe.
- No Well System Compatibility: The device is not designed to work with private well systems. It requires a municipal water meter.
By adhering to these requirements, Flume can accurately capture and provide insights into your water consumption, helping you manage usage, detect leaks, and conserve water effectively.
