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100 years of

ZENNER Water Meters

Join us on a journey through the history of ZENNER – from the first water meter produced in 1924 to modern technologies and the latest IoT solutions.

100 years of ZENNER water meters
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1903 – 1938

1903: Karl Adolf ZENNER
1903

Sales Success!

Karl Adolf Zenner laid the foundation for today’s company when he founded a sales company for water meters. The company became an established sales company in southern Germany for around 20 years.

1924: Start of in-house water meter production - 100 years of ZENNER water meters
1924

Start of in-house water meter production

The company founder started to produce his own water meters in a small shed in Saarbrücken known as the ‘Karl Adolf Zenner Water Meter Factory’. That’s why we are celebrating an anniversary today: 100 years of ZENNER water meters!

1938. Römerkastell becomes company headquarters
1938

Römerkastell becomes company headquarters

The company moved into a factory building at the “Römerkastell” in Saarbrücken. The building was to remain ZENNER’s headquarters for many years. This was followed in 2020 by the move to the current company building on the Saarterrassen in Saarbrücken.

1950 – 1995

1950: Karl Adolf Zenner jr.
1950

The second generation

In the post-war period, the water meter manufacturer started using plastic parts for the first time – very cutting-edge for the time! In 1950, the founder’s son of the same name took over the management of the company.

1987: Dr Peter Zenner
1987

ZENNER goes international!

The company was then managed by the grandson of the company founder, Dr Peter Zenner, and started to grow on an international scale. The first subsidiaries in France and Italy were added.

1995: ZENNER goes east!
1995

ZENNER goes east!

The company continued to expand, adding locations in Asia and South America and opening its first branch in China. The product portfolio was also expanded to include the first heat meters.

2005 – 2012

2005

#bettertogether

ZENNER and the Minol Group from Leinfelden-Echterdingen merged, marking the start of a transformation process for ZENNER. The Group also expanded its product portfolio to provide almost everything as an all-round service provider – from meter manufacturers to consumption billing.

2007: New technologies move in
2007

News Technologies move in

At the beginning of 2000, ZENNER used radio technology for remote readouts for the first time. At that time, RDM short-distance radio was still being used. In 2007, production was relocated from Saarbrücken to Mulda. Administration, sales, development, and product management would remain at the Saarbrücken site.

2012: ZENNER USA
2012

ZENNER USA

ZENNER has also been represented in the USA with sites there since 2012. ZENNER USA, based in Addison, Texas, with a production facility in Banning, California, manufactures and distributes water meters and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Systems for the North and Central American markets.

2014 – 2017

2014: ZENNER goes digital
2014

Digital first

The switch from RDM to the open Wireless M-Bus system followed in 2014. The mobile wireless M-Bus radio system allows consumption meters to be conveniently read out remotely using the walk-by or drive-by method. As a result, appointments and flat inspections are no longer necessary.

2016: ZENNER becomes member of the LoRa Alliance.
2016

Welcome to the Internet of Things!

ZENNER entered the rapidly growing Internet of Things market and became a member of the LoRa Alliance® in the same year. LoRaWAN® wireless technology can be used to automatically read data from thousands of water meters, heat meters and other consumption measuring devices over long distances.

2017: expertise bundled
2017

Expertise bundled

As part of its digitalisation strategy, ZENNER acquired stakes in two start-up companies, SmartMakers in Karlsruhe and Tracknet in the USA. Further investments in the companies ZENNER IoT Solutions in Hamburg and Hessware GmbH in Mannheim followed from May 2017.

2020 – today

2020: Move to the Saarterrassen
2020

Move to the Saarterrassen

In recent years, ZENNER has created new jobs for specialists in the areas of digitalisation and project management. The acquired building on the Saarterrassen provides the required space and is the company’s current headquarters.

2023: element suite
2023

The digitalisation portfolio expands

Digitalisation continues to advance. Smart, digital and sustainable solutions in buildings and cities are becoming increasingly important. ZENNER’s element suite expands its digitalisation portfolio and offers a complete solution for the digitalisation of the smart city.

2024: Product innovations for the water sector
2024

Product innovations for the water sector

The company recently launched a new generation of the IUWS ultrasonic water meter with a parallel radio function in wM-Bus and LoRaWAN®. ZENNER is also creating ‘Metering as a Service’ as a new product for the water industry. The solution lays the foundation for variable water tariffs and supports customers with efficient and sustainable water management processes.

What are dry dials?

‘Dry dials’ or dry water meters are water meters that are not immersed in water. This means that the impeller and register are technically separate. That means the register does not come into contact with running water and the water meter’s glass is not under water pressure. The impeller axis’s rotation is transmitted to the register’s gear unit by means of a magnetic coupling, which prevents it from coming into contact with the tap water. The advantage: Deposits are prevented from accumulating in the register.

What are dial meters?

There is a direct axial connection between the water meter’s impeller and its register – the register is therefore exposed to the tap water. The advantage: loss-free and direct transmission from the impeller to the register. The disadvantage: Permanent exposure to light can lead to algae or green discolouration in the sight glass. This is why dial meters usually have a lid that can be folded down to protect them from light and reduce algae growth. Dial meters are rarely used in apartments; they are only used for larger water meters.

ZENNER MNK water meter of 1956
ZENNER MNK water meter of 1956
ZENNER MNK water meter of 1956
ZENNER MNK water meter of 1956

What are positive displacement meters?

In contrast to water meters with an impeller, here a ring piston is driven by a pressure differential – i.e. water flows through the measuring chamber and thus moves the measuring shaft, which in turn drives the register by means of a magnetic coupling. The advantage: positive displacement meters stand out for their high measuring accuracy – they operate with a low starting flow and therefore detect even the smallest flow rates, such as a dripping tap, a leaking cistern, etc., and have no overrun.

WHAT ARE ULTRASOUND METERS?

Instead of using mechanical parts such as cogs or gear counters, an ultrasonic water meter sends sound waves through the water and then measures the speed at which these waves travel through the water. The water flow can be calculated from these measurements. Ultrasound meters are considered precise and have the advantage of being less susceptible to wear or clogging compared to mechanical meters. They are frequently used in industry and the private sector to record water consumption.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MULTI-JET AND A SINGLE-JET WATER METER?

A multi-jet water meter uses several narrow jets to measure the flow volume. These jets hit a rotating wheel or turbine, the speed of which depends on the flow volume. This results in a more precise measurement, which is a particular advantage for larger volumes of water. This type of water meter is therefore often used in situations where an accurate and reliable recording of water consumption is crucial.

In contrast to a multi-jet water meter, a single-jet water meter only uses a single water jet. In a single-jet water meter, the water flows through a single opening and the flow volume is measured by the movement of a register or a pulser. Single-jet water meters are used in a variety of applications, including residential homes, office buildings and smaller commercial facilities. Although they do not offer the same accuracy and reliability as multi-jet water meters, they can be sufficient for many applications.

ZENNER celebrates 100 years of water meters!

Exkurs: The first ZENNER News

Many people now know our ZENNER News as a video format. We regularly present our new products, solutions and example applications around LoRaWAN® and the Internet of Things, as well as reports from our customers.

However, ZENNER News actually started out in printed form some while ago. Customers and employees were able to read all the latest news from the company – in up to four languages.

Reports on travel, new products, foreign subsidiaries, company celebrations and visits to trade fairs were collected, edited and published.

Of course, we still have our customer magazine: ‘Smart & Easy’ is published around twice a year, in both printed and digital form. In it, we cover current topics and trends relating to the Internet of Things, presented in editorial articles.

ZENNER News 1998
ZENNER News 1999
ZENNER News 2001
Smart & Easy 1/2024
Smart & Easy 2/2023
Smart & Easy 1/2023

The oldest preserved water meter

A remarkable example of an ancient water meter was discovered in 1989 in Amarna, Egypt. It dates from the time of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who reigned in the 14th century BC. This ancient water meter shows that people have needed ways to control and monitor water use since ancient times.

Water meters as art

In some cities, old or decommissioned water meters have been converted into works of art. Creative artists often transform these objects into sculptures or other decorative elements for public spaces.

Water meters in space

Water meters are not only in use on Earth. They are also used on board spacecraft and space stations to monitor water consumption and ensure that the crew has enough drinking water available.

Rulli Protetti

‘Rulli protetti’ is an Italian phrase that literally means ‘protected rollers’. In the context of water meters, ‘rulli protetti’ refers to protected rollers or counting wheels. Water meters often contain rotating counting wheels that turn when water flows through the meter. These counting wheels must be accurate and protected to ensure correct measurements and prevent tampering.

Product imageHWZ_IUWSUltrasonic apartment / domestic water meter IUWS
Ultrasonic apartment / domestic water meter IUWS

The IUWS ultrasonic water meter guarantees reliable recording of the meter data for individual consumption billing in the residential or domestic water sector.

Product imageWWZ_Minomess_LoRaWAN®_wM-BusMinomess® Surface mounted water meter with radio module
Minomess® Surface mounted water meter with radio module

Minomess® is equipped with a LoRaWAN® or wireless M-Bus radio module ex works and can be integrated in LoRaWAN® readout-systems.

Product imageWWZ_MinolistWater Meter Measuring Capsule Minolist with LoRaWAN® or wireless M-Bus interface
Water Meter Measuring Capsule Minolist with LoRaWAN® or wireless M-Bus interface

Precision and ease of use. Minolist is the ZENNER coaxial measuring capsule water meter according to the multiple jet principle. The Minolist flush-mounted measuring capsule by …

Product imageWWZ_Universalzähler_M22Universal meter M22 for installation lengths from 110 to 190 mm
Universal meter M22 for installation lengths from 110 to 190 mm

The M22 universal water meter is suitable for a range of application situations, thanks to its range of spacers in combination with its choice of nominal sizes, in either Qn 1.5 …

Product imageWWZ_ZENNER_Block_2ZENNER Flush mounting block 2″
ZENNER Flush mounting block 2″

The new ZENNER Block 2″ with its small dimensions is currently the smallest assembly block for water meters in the world.

Product imageWWZ_WaschtischzählerWashstand water meter
Washstand water meter

We provide a wide range of armature meters for subsequent installation of water meters inside the dwelling. The ZENNER washstand water meter is the ideal retrofitted water meter …

Product imageWWZ_Ventilzähler_Typ_MCWater meter valve meter type MC
Water meter valve meter type MC

The ZENNER Type MC valve meter is the ideal retrofitted water meter for flush-mounted valves. It is a water meter for the cold and hot water area in dwellings and flats, which has …

Product imageWWZ_ETKD-LWater Meters ETKD-L with polymer plastic housing
Water Meters ETKD-L with polymer plastic housing

ETKD-L is a Single-Jet Meter in a polymer plastic housing, designed for recycling. The new EKTD-L has a counter with a shielded magnetic coupling which delivers virtually perfect …

Product imageWWZ_ETKDWater Meters ETKD/ETWD
Water Meters ETKD/ETWD

Water Meter EKTD/ETWD is a Single-Jet Meter for cold and hot water. The ETKD is equipped with a counter with a shielded magnetic coupling which delivers virtually perfect results …

Product imageWWZ_Badewannenzähler_Typ_MCBathtub meter type MC
Bathtub meter type MC

Apartment water meter with radio module LoRaWAN® or wireless M-Bus interface

Product imageWWZ_ZapfhahnzählerWater meter for tap
Water meter for tap

The ZENNER tap meter, with its special connection, can be installed on all common taps. With its lead seal, the water meter connector protects the unit from tampering. The tap …

Product imageWWZ_ETKD-M-CC_R160Water meter ETKD-M-CC R160
Water meter ETKD-M-CC R160

The single-jet water meter ETKD R160 represents the best starting values and the highest accuracy and measuring stability with an optimal price / performance ratio. This is …

Product imageWWZ_ETK_45Water Meter ETK 45° with 45° inclined dial
Water Meter ETK 45° with 45° inclined dial

With its 45° inclined dial, the ETK 45° allows data reading from different angles. It is used in every installation situation where the view from above to the meter register is …

Product imageWWZ_ETKDIWater meter ETKDI/ETWDI
Water meter ETKDI/ETWDI

The ETKDI/ETWDI is a single-jet meter developed by ZENNER with the new D-register and equipped with a pulser permanently installed ex works. The individual advantage of the ETKDI …

Product imageHWZ_MTKDWater meters MTKD-M (-CC) and MTKD-N
Water meters MTKD-M (-CC) and MTKD-N

The MTKD is a multi-jet water meter for cold potable water. The MTKD-M (-CC) is equipped with an 8-digit dry dial meter register and a modulator disc for remote reading of meter …

Product imageHWZ_RTKP-MF-M-CCPositive Displacement water meter RTKP-MF-M-CC
Positive Displacement water meter RTKP-MF-M-CC

The RTKP-MF-M-CC is a manifold-type rotary piston dry-dial meter for cold water. Electronic, non-reactive scanning enables remote reading of meter data via radio with LoRaWAN® or …

Product imageHWZ_RNK-RP-NPiston type water meter RNK-RP-N
Piston type water meter RNK-RP-N

Volumetric Rotary Piston Meter RNK-RP-N is a water meter for cold potable water with protected dial and brass body. RNK-RP-N is retrofitable with pulser (reed) for remote readout …

Product imageHWZ_IUWSUltrasonic apartment / domestic water meter IUWS
Ultrasonic apartment / domestic water meter IUWS

The IUWS ultrasonic water meter guarantees reliable recording of the meter data for individual consumption billing in the residential or domestic water sector.

Product imageHWZ_MTKD-STWater meters MTKD-M-ST AND MTKD-N-ST
Water meters MTKD-M-ST AND MTKD-N-ST

The MTKD-ST is a multi-jet dry dial meter for cold water in a standpipe design. MTKD-M-ST is equipped with an 8-digit dry dial meter register and a modulator disc. This enables …

Product imageHWZ_MTWD-STHot water meter MTWD-M-ST and MTWD-N-ST
Hot water meter MTWD-M-ST and MTWD-N-ST

MTWD-ST is available in two versions: MTWD-N-ST with 7-digit rollers and magnet pointer for pulse output. MTWD-M-ST with 8-digit rollers register and modulator disc for …

Product imageHWZ_MTWDHot water meter MTWD-M-CC and MTWD-N
Hot water meter MTWD-M-CC and MTWD-N

MTWD-N is a multi-jet dry dial meter for hot water with flood-proof (IP68) hermetically sealed glass/copper register

Product imageHWZ_MTWD-FAHot water meter MTWD-FA-M and MTWD-FA-N
Hot water meter MTWD-FA-M and MTWD-FA-N

MTWD-FA is available in two versions: MTWD-N-FA with 7-digit rollers and magnet pointer for pulse output. MTWD-M-FA with 8-digit rollers register and modulator disc for …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-N-STWater Meter MNK-ST
Water Meter MNK-ST

Water Meter MNK-ST is designed for installation in vertical pipelines with an upwards flow direction. The MNK-ST water meter fits perfectly into all installation locations …

Product imageHWZ_MTKD-S1-L-M-CCWater meter MTKD-S1-L-M-CC and MTKD-S1-L-N
Water meter MTKD-S1-L-M-CC and MTKD-S1-L-N

The MTKD-S1-M-CC is equipped with an 8-digit dry-dial register (IP 68) and a modulator disk.

Product imageHWZ_MTKD-FAWater meter MTKD-M-FA and MTKD-N-FA
Water meter MTKD-M-FA and MTKD-N-FA

The MTKD-FA is a multi-jet dry dial meter for cold water in a downpipe design. The MTKD-FA is equipped with an 8-digit dry dial meter register and a modulator disc. This enables …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-NResidential Water Meter MNK-N
Residential Water Meter MNK-N

Multi-Jet Water Meter MNK-N is retrofittable with pulser or PDC module for remote readout via radio: wirless M-Bus, LoRaWAN®.

Product imageHWZ_RTKD-MPositive Displacement meter RTKD-M and RTKD-M-CC
Positive Displacement meter RTKD-M and RTKD-M-CC

Positive Displacement Meter RTKD is equipped with dry dial and with the new d-register.RTKD-M is equipped with 8-digit rollers register and modulator disc for non-reactive …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-N-FAResidential water meter MNK-N-FA
Residential water meter MNK-N-FA

MNK wet dial measuring unit by ZENNER is available in a downpipe housing for vertical installation positions with a downward flow direction. Version MNK-N-FA is retrofittable with …

Product imageHWZ_RTKD-LPositive Displacement meter RTKD-L-M and RTKD-L-N
Positive Displacement meter RTKD-L-M and RTKD-L-N

The RTKD-L is a multi-jet water meter for cold potable water in a plastic housing. RTKD-M is equipped with 8-digit rollers register and modulator disc for non-reactive scanning …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-LResidential Water Meter MNK-L/MNK-L-N
Residential Water Meter MNK-L/MNK-L-N

Multi-Jet Plastic Water Meter MNK-L-N is a further development of the MNK. MNK-L-N is retrofittable with pulser (reed) or PDC communication module for remote readout via …

Product imageWWZ_ETK_45Water Meter ETK 45° with 45° inclined dial
Water Meter ETK 45° with 45° inclined dial

With its 45° inclined dial, the ETK 45° allows data reading from different angles. It is used in every installation situation where the view from above to the meter register is …

Product imageHWZ_MTKD-LWater meter MTKD-L-N and MTKD-L-M
Water meter MTKD-L-N and MTKD-L-M

Multi-jet dry dial meter for cold water

Product imageHWZ_MTKD-SResidential water meter MTKD-S
Residential water meter MTKD-S

Water Meter MTKD-S is an improvement of the millionfold proved MTK. The newly developed dry dial counter with tamper-proof magnet coupling is available in a number of model (wiper …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-MF-NMNK-MF-N
MNK-MF-N

The MNK-MF-N combines a multi-jet dial retained in a robust brass housing with a dual check valve assembly and an isolating ball valve. The MNK-MF-N is suitable for water …

Product imageHWZ_MNK-L-RPResidential water meter MNK-L-RP
Residential water meter MNK-L-RP

Multi-Jet Plastic Water Meter MNK-L-RP Its main features are a low starting flow and reliable performance even with aggressive water qualities or dezincification effects.

Product imageHWZ_MNK-RPWater Meter MNK-RP-N with protected rollers
Water Meter MNK-RP-N with protected rollers

The indicator wheels of the counter for the ZENNER MNK-RP series water meters are housed in their own chamber, which is filled with a special protective fluid. MNK-RP-N is …

Product imageHWZ_RNK-L-RP-NPiston Type Water Meter RNK-L-RP-N
Piston Type Water Meter RNK-L-RP-N

Volumetric Piston Meter RNK-L-RP-N is a water meter for cold potable water with protected dial and composite housing. RNK-L-RP-N is equipped with pulser (Reed) for remote readout.

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_IUWUltrasonic bulk water meter IUW
Ultrasonic bulk water meter IUW

The IUW ultrasonic bulk water meter is used to record high and fluctuating flows in drinking water distribution and in industry, with a very low pressure loss at the same time.

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WPHDBulk water meter WPD / WPHD
Bulk water meter WPD / WPHD

WPD / WPHD is a smart Woltman bulk water meter for the measuring of high flow rates with parallel turbine shaft. It is prepared for remote reading via wired M-bus, wireless …

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WPD-HYBulk hydrant water meter WPD-HY
Bulk hydrant water meter WPD-HY

Woltman meter with a parallel to flow direction arranged turbine

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WSDBulk water meter WSD / WSDE
Bulk water meter WSD / WSDE

WSD is a Woltman water meter with perpendicular turbine shafts and is optimally prepared for remote reading via M-Bus, wireless M-bus, LPWAN, LoRaWAN®, SIGFOX, GSM or pulser.

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WPVMCompound water meter WPVM
Compound water meter WPVM

The WPVM compound meter is a special design for use in drinking water distribution and industrial applications with a cartridge water meter as secondary meter

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WPVRCompound water meter WPVR
Compound water meter WPVR

The WPVR compound meter is a special design for use in drinking water distribution and industrial applications with piston type meter as secondary meter

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WBDWoltman well water meter WBD
Woltman well water meter WBD

The WBD are used to record high flow rates in drinking water distribution, which transition from a vertical pipe to a horizontal pipe. The WBD can be mounted directly on the well …

Product imageGWZ_Sensors_for_WoltmanSensors for Woltman bulk water meters
Sensors for Woltman bulk water meters

All ZENNER Woltman type water meters can be retrofitted with reed contact, optical encoder or NAMUR induction encoder type active or passive pulsers.

Product imageGWZ_Dirt_filter_for_bulk_water_metersDirt filter for bulk water meters
Dirt filter for bulk water meters

Even under difficult conditions and where the water quality is poor, the dirt filters for our Woltman bulk water meters make reliable measurement results possible.

Product imageGWZ_WPD_WPHD_90Bulk water meter WPD/WPHD T90
Bulk water meter WPD/WPHD T90

Woltman meter with a parallel to flow direction arranged turbine

Product imageGWZ_Woltmanzähler_WI-NIrrigation water meter Woltman WI-N
Irrigation water meter Woltman WI-N

Woltman Irrigation Water Meter WI-N is a bulk water meter specially developed for use with polluted water. The meter easily takes a level of impurity of up to 30% in its stride, …