When a buyer sends us a request like “quote me a Promag 50W”, the first thing we ask for is not the quantity or the destination – it is the complete order code. Endress+Hauser instruments are configured instrument by instrument, and two devices that share the same short model name can differ in liner material, electrode, output signal, housing and approval. The order code is the only reliable way to match a like-for-like replacement or to price a new unit correctly.
This guide explains how an Endress+Hauser order code is structured, what each block tells you, where to find it on the nameplate, and which mistakes to avoid when ordering a replacement. It works for Promag electromagnetic flowmeters, Promass Coriolis meters, Micropilot radars, Cerabar and Deltabar pressure transmitters, Liquiline analyzers and most other E+H product families.
Why a Short Model Name Is Not Enough
A name like “Promag 50W” only identifies the basic model family. Within that family, Endress+Hauser offers dozens of factory configurations: different nominal diameters, liners, electrode materials, output signals, housings and hazardous-area approvals. Two “Promag 50W” units can be built for completely different media, pressures and certifications.
Ordering by model name alone therefore carries three risks: the replacement does not fit the existing process connection, the output or approval does not match the control system or the plant standard, and the quotation has to be revised once the real configuration becomes clear – usually after delivery delays have already started.
How an Endress+Hauser Order Code Is Structured
An E+H order code is a compact string where every position stands for a configuration feature. The exact number of positions and their meaning differ between product families and software generations, but the logic is always the same: the code reads from the measuring principle towards the certificate. A simplified example for a Promag electromagnetic flowmeter looks like this (illustrative, not an actual order code):
| Block (illustrative) | Example | What it defines |
|---|---|---|
| Basic model | 50W | Measuring principle, series and transmitter version (here: Promag 50W, water version) |
| Nominal size | DN100 / 4″ | Line size, which sets flow range and connection dimensions |
| Process connection | Flange / wafer / sandwich | How the meter mounts into the pipeline |
| Liner and electrode | PTFE, 316L / Hastelloy / Ta | Wetted materials, chosen by medium and temperature |
| Output and communication | 4-20 mA HART | How the transmitter talks to the control system |
| Housing and display | Compact / remote, LCD | Mounting form and local indication |
| Approval and certificate | ATEX / IECEx, 3.1 | Hazardous-area certification and material certificates |
Always treat such a breakdown as a way to organize your questions, not as a decoder table. The authoritative definition of every position is the manufacturer datasheet and the official product documentation on endress.com; configurations also change between hardware and software revisions.
What Each Block Tells You When Sourcing a Replacement
For replacement sourcing, four blocks matter most. The nominal size and connection decide whether the new unit bolts into the existing pipeline without spool-piece changes. The liner and electrode decide chemical compatibility – a PTFE-lined meter with Hastelloy electrodes handles aggressive media that would destroy a hard-rubber liner with 316L electrodes. The output and communication must match the control system, from plain 4-20 mA to HART or PROFIBUS. The approval block is critical in hazardous areas: an ATEX/IECEx-certified transmitter cannot simply be swapped for a general-purpose unit, and vice versa.
For hygienic families, additional positions cover surface finish and certifications such as EHEDG and 3-A, which we explain in our hygienic level switch guide. For pressure applications, the same logic applies to the wetted parts of Deltabar differential pressure transmitters.
Where to Find the Order Code
The fastest sources, in order of reliability:
- Nameplate on the transmitter – the order code is printed in full; take a sharp, straight-on photo of the whole plate, not just one line.
- Original quotation, delivery note or calibration certificate – the code appears there in full and is often easier to read than a weathered nameplate.
- Parameter readout – many E+H transmitters can display or export the device tag and order data via the display menu or a HART handheld.
If the nameplate is missing or corroded, a photo of the display menu plus the mechanical details (connection, size, materials) is usually enough to narrow the configuration down.
Three Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering a Replacement
1. Ordering by family name only. “Send me a Promag 50W” almost always triggers a configuration question round that costs days. Include the order code in the first message and the quotation comes back in one pass.
2. Mixing up hardware and software generations. E+H revises products over time; a code from a 15-year-old unit may contain positions that no longer exist in the current version. A supplier who knows the product history will translate the old code into the current equivalent instead of copying it 1:1.
3. Ignoring the approval block for hazardous areas. Replacing an Ex-certified device with a general-purpose one can invalidate the plant safety documentation. Always carry the approval positions over and confirm them in writing.
How We Use the Order Code for Like-for-Like Supply
We specialize in Endress+Hauser instrument supply for international buyers. Send us the order code or a nameplate photo, and we identify the exact configuration, translate outdated codes into current equivalents where needed, check availability and return a quotation with lead time – typically within one working day for standard items like the Promag W 300 electromagnetic flowmeter or the wider flow measurement range.
Use the Request Quotation page for pricing, or the Technical Support page if you first need help identifying an unreadable nameplate. If your project also includes level or pressure instruments, our radar level transmitter selection guide and differential pressure transmitter guide cover the same process in those families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the order code on an Endress+Hauser transmitter?
On the transmitter nameplate, printed as a long alphanumeric string next to the serial number. On compact devices it is on the housing; on remote versions the nameplate sits on the transmitter, and the sensor has its own plate with the sensor order code.
Can I order an Endress+Hauser instrument with only the short model name?
You can start an inquiry with it, but a binding quotation requires the full order code or a complete application specification. The short name does not define size, materials, output or approvals.
Is the order code the same as the serial number?
No. The order code describes the configuration; the serial number identifies the individual device and its production date. Both are on the nameplate and both are useful, but they answer different questions.
What if my order code is from an old device that is no longer produced?
That is a normal case in industrial maintenance. Send the old code – it defines what the plant actually needs – and the supplier maps it to the current equivalent model and configuration, highlighting any changes in connections or output.
Endress+Hauser, Promag, Promass, Micropilot, Cerabar, Deltabar and Liquiline are trademarks of their respective owner. Specifications, approvals and configurations must be confirmed against the latest official documentation and the exact order code. For official product information, visit the manufacturer site at endress.com.