OEM Replacement Parts
To provide our customers with reliable parts support, Elster American Meter houses extensive inventories in warehouses and manufacturing facilities throughout North America. This allows us to process and ship stocked replacement parts within 48 hours of receiving your order.
OEM Vs. Aftermarket Parts
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are components that the factory and their qualified suppliers manufacture. Aftermarket parts are simply imitations of those parts, which may appear similar to OEM, but generally are not of the same materials or quality. Most of these parts are manufactured of lesser quality and therefore may have lower prices.
OEM Quality
When it comes to OEM quality, there really is no debate. Replacement OEM parts are the same exact parts that were used on your Elster American Meter product when it was originally built, with the same fit, finish, structural integrity, corrosion resistance and warranty. The quality picture is much less clear for imitation parts.
Structural Integrity can be compromised when inadequate materials are used in the manufacture of aftermarket parts. Elster American Meter has researched and developed the material specifications required for each individual component. The finished product must meet ASME Boiler Pressure Vessel Codes, which is highly dependent upon using the appropriate materials. In addition, extensive life testing is performed simulating the extreme conditions the product must endure in order to meet or exceed ANSI standards required by the gas industry.
Insufficient Corrosion Protection can mean that the aftermarket part may rust in areas where the OEM part will not. Elster American Meter has researched and tested each component, individually and/or as part of the finished product, to determine the best corrosive protection for each component.
Substandard Finish/Plating on aftermarket parts will have inadequate or insufficient surface preparation that compromises the durability of the fully assembled product. The primer used on many aftermarket parts is not the same quality as the primer used by the OEM. American Meter tests all components to withstand the elements that the product will be used in.
Poor Fits can cause gaps between the replacement part and the undamaged OEM component within the product. The parts may be dimensionally incorrect causing additional wear over time, or something as simple as the corners not being square to allow for proper operation or a weak seal of the meter or regulator. Having fully designed and tested the product, American Meter has determined the dimensions that are “Critical to Quality (CTQ)” for each component. CTQ dimensions are constantly checked by our ISO certified quality control personnel to ensure you get the performance and product longevity that is expected of the finished product. Because Elster American Meter parts are designed specifically for the product you’ll be using it in, not reverse engineered, fit is never an issue.
Warranty. Elster American Meter offers a 1-year warranty for all repair/replacement parts towards manufacturer’s workmanship and material defects.