A consumption meter records volume: how much water has passed through it. The reading is usually a cumulative total in cubic metres or litres. One cubic metre equals 1,000 litres.
A flowmeter may also show flow rate: how quickly water is moving through the measuring point, such as litres per minute or cubic metres per hour. A totalizer accumulates flow over time to calculate volume.
For example, 2 m³/h is a rate. If that rate stays constant for three hours, 6 m³ has passed. A reading of 2,840 m³ is an accumulated total, not the rate at that moment.
A submeter measures a branch, tenant, process or building within a larger supply. A bulk meter measures a larger supply or distribution connection. These terms describe the job, not a single measuring principle.
A smart meter adds electronic data functions. It may use a mechanical, ultrasonic or electromagnetic measuring element. A display, a radio and a billing platform are separate capabilities; the word “smart” does not confirm that all three are supplied. Manufacturer ranges include radio-equipped volumetric and Woltman meters as well as static meters. Xylem meter overview