Principle of operation – Toshiba Tohsiba Electromagnetic Flowmeter Converter L5232 User Manual
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14. Principle of Operation
The operating principle of the electromagnetic flowmeter is based on Faraday's Law of 
electromagnetic induction. The principle of operation is that an insulated pipe with inner diameter D is 
placed vertically to the direction of a magnetic field with flux density B (see Figure 14.1). When an 
electrically conductive fluid flows in the pipe, an electromotive force signal E is induced between a 
pair of electrodes placed at right angles to the direction of magnetic field. The electromotive force 
signal E is directly proportional to the average fluid velocity V and this voltage signal is detected. 
The following expression is applicable to the voltage.
E = K × B × D × V [V] ····································· (Eq. 14.1) E: Electromotive force signal [V]
K: Constant 
B: Magnetic flux density [T] 
D: Meter pipe inner diameter [m] 
V: Fluid velocity [m/s] 
Volumetric flow rate Q [m
3
/s] of fluid is:
π × D
2
Q =
4
× V ··········································(Eq. 14.2)
Thus, we can obtain the equation below using Eq.14.1 and Eq.14.2,
4
E = K × B × D
π × D
2
× Q
4 × K × B
E =
π × D
× Q·····································(Eq. 14.3)
Therefore, the electromotive force signal E proportional to the flow rate can be obtained.
D
E
V
B
Square-Wave Excitation Method
Figure 14.1 Principle of Operation
The LF232 electromagnetic flowmeter converter uses the square-wave excitation method, which 
provides long-term stable operations without being affected by electrostatic and electromagnetic 
interferences.