Overview
Ultrasonic bulk meter for 2" through 8" lines, approved for fire service.
The Next Hydrus Bulk is a static, ultrasonic water meter designed for highly accurate water measurement. Its design keeps measurement stable over the long term, even under the most difficult conditions.
Built for real pipe conditions
Static ultrasonic measurement means air never registers as water, and sediment doesn't throw off the read. Install it horizontally, vertically, or at an angle, with no upstream or downstream calming sections. The epoxy-coated cast iron body and IP68 sealed register handle vaults, pits, and the kind of conditions that shorten the life of mechanical meters.
Approved for fire service
The Next Hydrus Bulk is UL 327B listed and FM 1044 approved, and it meets or exceeds AWWA/ANSI C715 for both Type I and Type II meters. One product line covers domestic and fire protection duty, with published pressure loss at safe maximum operating capacity (SMOC) for both normal and fire service, so engineers can size with confidence.
Two decades in, still reporting
A single, field-replaceable 3.6 VDC lithium cell runs the meter for up to 20 years. Along the way, it flags leaks, air in the pipe, backflow, high temperature, freezing risk, and undersized conditions on its own, and holds 42 days of hourly consumption on board, with temperature and diagnostics information available alongside the read.
Need a meter for a 5/8" through 2" service? See the Next Hydrus.
Key benefits
- Sizes 2" through 8"
- Extreme low-flow accuracy and long-term measurement stability
- Battery life of up to 20 years; field-replaceable battery
- Cast iron, epoxy-coated body
- IP68 rated
- Installation in any position, with no calming sections required
- Communication protocol includes temperature, alerts, error messages, and more
- Works with the NC5 NextConnect, TR4-X and TR4 Transceivers, and RR4 and RR4-TR Remote Readers
- 42 days of hourly data storage
- 10-year limited warranty
Specifications
Performance
| Flow range | Registers flow as low as 0.141 GPM (2" size) Up to 2,800 GPM (8" size) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | Meets or exceeds AWWA/ANSI C715 for Type I and Type II meters |
| Operating pressure | 5 PSI minimum Up to 175 PSI maximum |
| Applications | Domestic and fire service |
Connectivity
| Encoder output | 9-digit programmable resolution; industry standard protocol |
|---|---|
| ASCII output | Compatible with most AMR/AMI systems |
| Encoded data | Temperature information, alerts, and error messages |
| Works with | NC5 NextConnect TR4-X and TR4 Transceivers RR4 and RR4-TR Remote Readers |
Data & Display
| Data storage | 42 days of hourly consumption and alert data |
|---|---|
| Display | 9-digit LCD with additional symbols, display counter, and unit indicators |
| Units | GPM, gal, ft³ |
| Displayed values | Display test; total volume; firmware version and checksum; current flow; errors and alerts Additional values based on configuration |
Alerts
| Alert types | Hardware flow Leak detection Backflow Air in pipe Low battery Undersized meter No consumption High temperature Freezing risk |
|---|
Physical and power
| Battery | One 3.6 VDC lithium battery, field-replaceable Battery life up to 20 years |
|---|---|
| Register size | 3.9" long x 5.5" wide x 2.4" high (all sizes) |
| Materials | Body: cast iron, epoxy coated Register housing: engineered polymer Transducers: composite |
Environment
| Protection | IP68; suitable for submerged installations |
|---|---|
| Installation position | Any position: horizontal, vertical, or angled No upstream or downstream calming sections required |
| Water conditions | Insensitive to sedimentation; air is not measured |
| Water temperature | 33°F to 122°F | 0.6°C to 50°C |
| Ambient temperature | Operating: 14°F to 131°F | -10°C to 55°C Storage: 14°F to 158°F | -10°C to 70°C Storage above 95°F | 35°C limited to 4 weeks |
Certifications
| Approvals | Meets or exceeds applicable sections of AWWA/ANSI C715 for Type I and Type II meters NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Annex F/G UL 327B listed for fire service FM 1044 approved for fire service meters FCC Part 15 B |
|---|
Warranty
| Coverage | 10-year limited warranty |
|---|
Flow Rates
| Size | 2" | 3" | 4" | 6" | 8" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating flow (GPM) | 2.5 - 250 | 7.5 - 500 | 10 - 1,000 | 20 - 1,900 | 40 - 2,800 |
| Low flow (GPM) | 0.2 - 2.5 | 0.35 - 7.5 | 0.65 - 10 | 1.37 - 20 | 2.75 - 40 |
| Starting flow (GPM) | 0.141 | 0.317 | 0.484 | 0.660 | 0.969 |
| SMOC, normal (GPM) | 250 | 500 | 1,000 | 1,900 | 2,800 |
| SMOC, fire service (GPM) | 250 | 400 | 1,000 | 1,600 | 2,800 |
| Pressure loss at SMOC, normal (PSI) | 2.8 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 4.8 | 2.8 |
| Pressure loss at SMOC, fire service (PSI) | 2.8 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.8 |
SMOC is the safe maximum operating capacity.
Dimensions
| Size | 2" | 3" | 4" | 6" | 8" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lay length | 10" | 12" | 14" | 18" | 20" |
| Height to pipe axis | 5.6" | 6.5" | 7" | 7.3" | 8.4" |
| Height above pipe axis | 2.7" | 3.5" | 4.3" | 5.3" | 6.3" |
| Net weight | 22 lbs | 36 lbs | 46 lbs | 121 lbs | 132 lbs |
Flange Connections
| Size | 2" | 3" | 4" | 6" | 8" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flange diameter | 6.25" (oval) | 7.5" | 9" | 11" | 13.5" |
| Pitch circle diameter | 4.5" | 6" | 7.5" | 9.5" | 11.75" |
| Bolt holes | 2 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Bolt hole diameter | 3/4" | 3/4" | 3/4" | 7/8" | 7/8" |
FAQ
General
The Next Hydrus Bulk is a static ultrasonic bulk water meter for 2" through 8" lines. One product line covers both domestic and fire protection service, and its epoxy-coated cast iron body and IP68 register are built for vaults, pits, and other difficult conditions.
The Next Hydrus Bulk comes in 2", 3", 4", 6", and 8" sizes, with flanged connections and lay lengths from 10" to 20". See Dimensions and Flange Connections for each size.
For 5/8" through 2" services, see the Next Hydrus.
Yes. The Next Hydrus Bulk is listed to UL 327B for fire service applications and approved to FM 1044 for fire service meters. It also meets or exceeds the applicable sections of AWWA/ANSI C715 for both Type I and Type II meters.
Safe maximum operating capacity (SMOC) and pressure loss are published for both normal and fire service. On the 3" and 6" sizes, fire service SMOC is lower than normal operation (400 and 1,600 GPM). See Flow Rates.
The 2" size registers flow as low as 0.141 GPM. Each size has a published low flow range below its operating range, and the Specifications document includes a typical accuracy curve compared with the AWWA C715 limits.
Yes. The Next Hydrus Bulk complies with NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, Annex F/G, and its warranty covers the meter housing being free from lead.
Installation
No. The Next Hydrus Bulk installs in any position (horizontal, vertical, or at an angle) with no upstream or downstream calming sections required.
Yes. The IP68 register is suitable for submerged installations, and the epoxy-coated cast iron body is built for vaults and pits.
No. Static ultrasonic measurement doesn't register air as water, and the meter is insensitive to sedimentation. If there's air in the pipe, the meter reports it as an alert.
The Next Hydrus Bulk operates between 5 PSI minimum and 175 PSI maximum. The Specifications document includes a pressure loss chart for each size.
- Water: 33°F to 122°F | 0.6°C to 50°C
- Ambient (operating): 14°F to 131°F | -10°C to 55°C
- Ambient (storage): 14°F to 158°F | -10°C to 70°C
Storage above 95°F | 35°C is limited to a maximum of 4 weeks.
Data & Alerts
The Next Hydrus Bulk works with these Next Meters devices:
The meter has a 9-digit encoder output with programmable resolution that uses an industry standard protocol, plus an ASCII output for compatibility with most other AMR/AMI systems. The encoded output also carries temperature information, alerts, and error messages, so they're available alongside the read.
The Next Hydrus Bulk reports nine alert types:
- Hardware flow
- Leak detection
- Backflow
- Air in pipe
- Low battery
- Undersized meter
- No consumption
- High temperature
- Freezing risk
The Next Hydrus Bulk keeps 42 days of hourly consumption and alert data on board.
A single 3.6 VDC lithium battery powers the Next Hydrus Bulk for up to 20 years, and the battery can be replaced in the field. For replacement batteries, contact your product supplier or get in touch with our Support Team.
Warranty
The Next Hydrus Bulk, including its electronics, battery, transducers, and register, is warranted for 10 years from the date of delivery to meet its specifications and be free from defects in material and workmanship at delivery, and its housing is warranted to be free from lead. The meter is also warranted to meet AWWA C715 Type II accuracy standards for 10 years from the date of shipment.
For a covered claim received within those 10 years, Next Meters repairs or replaces the meter free of charge. You pay the costs of removing the defective meter and installing the repaired or replacement meter.
See the full 10-Year Limited Warranty for terms and exclusions.
The warranty doesn't apply to meters that were:
- Repaired, modified, or tampered with without Next Meters' written approval
- Not installed, operated, stored, or maintained according to the specifications and Next Meters' instructions
- Connected to or combined with another product without approval, or used with anything other than potable water, or with water containing dirt, debris, or deposits
- Damaged by vandalism, accidents, chemical contamination, physical impact, or events beyond Next Meters' control
The warranty applies only to the original customer and isn't transferable.
Claims go through a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process. Within the warranty period, email warranty@nextmeters.com with the product name, serial number, the specific defect, any other relevant details, and your contact information. Include a copy of the proof of purchase and the delivery note.
Don't send the meter back until Next Meters asks for it. If asked, ship the defective Next Hydrus Bulk at your expense to the location Next Meters designates. Meters received before you've notified Next Meters, or before a shipment request, won't be evaluated. Next Meters ships repaired or replacement meters back at its expense.
If you don't include test results that follow AWWA standards and the Hydrus Bulk Testing Instruction, Next Meters may test the meter at your expense. If Next Meters finds the claim isn't covered, you'll be asked to reimburse its costs for testing, repair, replacement, and shipping.
Questions? Email warranty@nextmeters.com or call (844) 538-8203.
For additional information or assistance, visit our Support Center or contact our Product Support Team:
- support.nextmeters.com
- (844) 538-8203
- support@nextmeters.com