the invention provides generally methods and systems in a bi - directional sphere prover for generating diagnostic information by calculating and using multiple meter factors from four detector switches . a data acquisition and monitoring system gathers the signals of the four detector switches and calculates the base prover volume for each section of the prover based on these readings . then , the different base prover volumes are used to create multiple meter factors for each section of the prover to derive the diagnostic information . the data acquisition and monitoring system displays , archives , and trends the meter factors . depending upon what particular meter factor ratios are within the acceptable limit , the correct detector switch can be diagnosed and fixed without a substantial amount of down time for the prover . trend lines for meter factors can also be analyzed for different process fluids that are sent through the prover .