Centrifugal Pump Selection

In choosing a pump, you firstly need to select a pump appropriate for your application. Centrifugal or positive displacement? Is the fluid corrosive? Does it have entrained solids? Does it need to be contained? However, having made those decisions, and if you have identified centrifugal pump technology as being the most suitable, how do you select a model to give the required performance?

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How to read a centrifugal pump curve

Historically, pumps were used to raise water for irrigation or drainage purposes. It was important that the pump was capable of lifting the water from the lower to the higher level. The delivery height became known as the differential head (or simply head) and, despite the vastly extended range of modern-day pumping applications, this term is still used to characterise pump performance. Nowadays, it relates more to the difference in pressure between the pump’s inlet and outlet and this can be affected by pipeline design and valve configurations. As the pressure a centrifugal pump has to overcome increases, the discharge flow decreases until, at a certain head, the output drops to zero. Conversely, with no head to work against, a pump can achieve the maximum possible output allowed by its design, impeller selection and rotational speed. The range of performance between these two points is specified in a pump curve (Figure 1a).

For a particular pump design, the performance can be modified by fitting a different impeller and/or by operating it at a different rotational speed. Manufacturers often show the range of possible performances in a ‘Tombstone’ chart (Figure 1b). This illustrates the head pressure and capacities covered by a pump design at a number of set rotational speeds, with a range of impeller sizes and different pump casing designs. The upper line of each segment or tombstone is the actual pump curve at the specified speed, impeller size and casing design.

 
What is the system curve?

The pump curve describes how a centrifugal pump performs in isolation from plant equipment. How it operates in practice is determined by the resistance of the system it is installed in: restrictions in the pipework and downstream frictional losses as well as static inlet or outlet pressures. A graphical representation of these factors is called the system curve (Figure 2a). This shows how the head pressure (at the location to be occupied by the pump) increases with increasing throughput.

What varies the system curve?

A key component of the system curve is the head loss resulting from frictional effects as fluid is forced through downstream pipework. This arises from valves, junctions, elbows, changes in pipeline diameter, and friction between the fluid and the pipe walls. It is usually calculated using the Darcy-Weisbach equation:

Where the head loss  increases to the square of the volumetric flow rate  (hence system curves are parabolic);  is the Darcy-Weissbach frictional factor,  is the pipe diameter and  is the local acceleration due to gravity.

There can also be a fixed component to the system curve, introduced by any inherent differences in pressure between the fluid’s source and its discharge. This is called the static head and, in the conventional sense, is comparable to pumping the fluid to a higher (or lower) reservoir.

What is the operating point?

By plotting the pump and system curves on the same graph (Figure 2b), the intersection of the lines identifies the flow rate you can expect from the pump in this configuration. This intersection is called the operating point. If the lines do not intersect the pump is not suitable for your application.

Where is the most stable operating section of the pump’s curve?

A centrifugal pump has a best efficiency point (BEP) somewhere on its pump curve. These are the precise conditions, determined by the manufacturer, where the pump operates with greatest efficiency and at which it can be expected to have maximum working life and experience lower maintenance. Ideally, when choosing a pump, you should attempt to match the operating point and best efficiency points. Over the lifetime of the pump this can have considerable cost benefits. In practice, it is acceptable to match the operating point to within ±10% of the best efficiency point.

A pump operating at a lower capacity is often said to be “operating to the left of the curve” and at a higher capacity is termed “operating to the right of the curve”. These correspond to the relative positions on the pump curve on either side of the BEP.

What happens if you run too far left of curve

To the left of the BEP, a pump’s throughput is lower than its design specification and the fluid may not flow correctly through the system. There is a danger of recirculation in both the pump’s inlet and outlet. This can lead to vibration and seal wear.

Also, with a low flow, there can be problems with heat build-up. Heat is produced by the driving motor and by friction in the pump itself. This heat normally dissipates through the pumped fluid but under low flow conditions this may not occur efficiently enough to prevent overheating. The impeller, pump casing and bearings of a centrifugal pump are precisely engineered with minimum clearances to reduce losses and maximise efficiency. At higher temperatures, the gaps between these rapidly moving components is reduced still further and any contact will result in wear and potential damage.

What happens if you run too far right of curve

At the right-hand side of the BEP, a pump’s throughput is higher than its design specification and there is a danger of cavitation in the impeller.

Cavitation is a process whereby bubbles of vapour, formed when a fluid is under low pressure, spontaneously collapse as they are transported back into a region of higher pressure. In a centrifugal pump the fluid’s pressure is at a minimum at the eye of the impeller. If the pressure here is below the saturated vapour pressure of the fluid, bubbles are formed which pass on into and through the impeller vanes. The fluid pressure increases as the fluid is discharged and the bubbles implode. The repeated shock waves can be a significant cause of wear and metal fatigue on impellers and pump cases.

The higher discharge may also result in vibration and noise in the pump, placing greater strain on its drive shaft and other components, and also in downstream pipework. This can lead to greater maintenance costs and a higher incidence of pump failures.

What are the Affinity Laws?

The Affinity Laws are a set of relationships that show how a pump’s capacity, head and power are determined by the rotational speed or diameter of its impeller. They allow you to extrapolate from the specified pump curve and predict how the pump will perform at a different shaft speed or with a smaller (or larger) impeller installed.

Fluid enters the rapidly rotating impeller along its axis and is cast out by centrifugal force along its circumference through the impeller’s vane tips. The output or volumetric flow of the pump (Q) is linearly related to the rotational speed of the impeller (N). In addition, the head (H) is proportional to the square of the impeller’s rotational speed, and the power requirements (P) to its cube:

These three relationships lead to the first set of Affinity Laws. Knowing the volumetric flow (Q1), head (H1) and power (P1) of a pump at one rotational speed (N1), you can use these relationships to estimate how it will perform (Q2 , H2 , P2) at a different speed (N2).

In the same way, the volumetric flow of the pump (Q) is linearly related to impeller diameter (D), the head (H) is proportional to its square, and the power requirements (P) to its cube:

So, if you know the capacity (Q1), head (H1) and power (P1) with one size of impeller (D1) installed in the pump, you can use a second set of Affinity Laws to estimate how it will perform (Q2 , H2 , P2) with a differently sized impeller (D2).   

It is important to note that different sizes of impellers may not have the same efficiencies. Predictions using this set of Affinity Laws may not be as accurate as those derived from changes in rotational speed using the first set of laws.

Summary

To select the right pump for an application, it is important to understand both system and pump curves. The system curve describes the increase in head resulting from increasing fluid flow through the pipework and other equipment in your plant. The pump curve describes the relationship between the rate of fluid flow and head for the pump itself. When plotted on the same graph, the point at which the system curve and pump curves intersect is called the operating point – it identifies the capacity you can expect from the pump in this particular configuration. Ideally, you should choose a pump where the operating point matches the point of maximum efficiency on the pump curve (BEP). The Affinity Laws allow you to predict how a pump will perform at different rotational speeds or with an alternative impeller installed.

Let's Talk About Pumps

How many pumps do you own? It’s actually a very interesting question. If you asked a contractor or rental store operator they might respond with a number anywhere between 1 and 50. On the other hand a layperson might reply that he has no need for pumps in his home or workplace. So, getting back to our original question, how many pumps do you own?

Even if you think you don’t own any, the chances are very good that you own a few pumps and simply forgot to consider them. Pumps are among the most widely manufactured items in the world and their many designs permit their use in a variety of applications. They are used in everything from washing machines, refrigerators, cars and trucks to construction sites, wastewater treatment facilities and food-processing plants.

Pumps make possible many everyday tasks that we often take for granted. Indeed without pumps our world would be a much different place than we know it today.

Pumps & The Contractor

As noted previously, there are many types of pumps available in today’s market. Yet there is not one pump ideally suited for every application. Since Multiquip primarily targets the construction industry our pumps are engineered to meet the requirements of the professional contractor.

Construction is a competitive business with deadlines and budgets that contractors have to meet in order to be successful. A heavy storm can set a job back several days or even weeks. Prolonged downtime can cost contractors substantial amounts of money since bonuses are often paid for finishing jobs under budget and ahead of schedule.

Ask a contractor this question, “What do you expect out of a water pump?” and the answers will likely be along these lines:

• Performance - the ability to quickly move a high volume of water
• Low Downtime - the ability to pass debris without clogging
• Durability - the ability to withstand harsh work environments
• Value - all of the above features at an economical price

Centrifugal. High-pressure. Trash. Submersible. Diaphragm. Self-priming. Zero-prime. With so many types of pumps available to contractors, how can you be sure what to recommend for a specific application? Once you become familiar with the characteristics of the most common rental pumps it’s actually easier than you might think.

Common Water Pump Designs

While many pumps can be found on job sites there are two very general types of water pumps in the construction industry. Different in design and application they each basically serve the same purpose, which is to move water from point A to point B.

The first type of pump is the centrifugal design. This type uses a rotating impeller to draw water into the pump and pressurize the discharge flow. Common rental pumps include standard, trash and submersible models.

The second type of pump is the positive displacement design, the most common of which is the diaphragm type. These pumps deliver a fixed amount of flow per cycle through the mechanical contraction and expansion of a flexible diaphragm.

These pumps will be covered in greater detail later after reviewing some basic pump theory.

The Basics of Pump Theory

It is common for customers to say they need a pump to suck water out of a hole or trench. However, centrifugal and diaphragm pumps do not actually suck water so much as they raise or lift it with help from mother nature.

Water, like electricity, will always flow along the path of least resistance. In order to lift water the pump must provide a path (area of low pressure) to which water will naturally seek to flow.

It is critical then to recognize the role atmospheric pressure plays in creating suction lift. At sea level the atmosphere exerts a force of 14.7 lb/in2 (PSI) on the earth’s surface. The weight of the atmosphere on a body of water will prevent lift from occurring unless vacuum is created.

Figure 1 shows three hollow tubes, each with a surface area of 1-square inch, rising from sea level up into the atmosphere. In tube (A) atmospheric pressure is the same inside the tube as it is outside: 14.7 PSI. Since the weight of the atmosphere is being exerted equally across the surface, no change occurs in the water level inside the tube.

In tube (B) a perfect vacuum is created making atmospheric pressure greater on the water outside the tube. The resulting differential causes water, flowing naturally to the area of lowest pressure to begin filling the tube until it reaches a height of 33.9-feet.

Why is 33.9-feet the highest water can be lifted in this example? Because at this point the weight of the water inside the tube exerts a pressure equal to the weight of the atmosphere pushing down on the ocean’s surface. This height represents the maximum theoretical suction lift and can be verified using the following calculation.

Divide atmospheric pressure at sea level by . lb/in3 (the weight of one cubic inch of water) to obtain the theoretical suction lift.

14.7 (lb/in2) ÷ . (lb/in3) = 407.28 (in)
407.28 (in) ÷ (12 in/foot) = 33.9 (ft)

Remember that 33.9-feet is the maximum theoretical height water can be lifted under perfect conditions at sea level. It does not take into consideration altitude, friction loss, temperature, suspended particles or the inability to create a perfect vacuum. All these variables affect pump performance and reduce theoretical suction lift. The practical suction lift, attainable for cold water (60°F) at sea level by creating a partial vacuum, is the 25-feet reflected in tube (C).

Centrifugal Designs

The overwhelming majority of contractor pumps use centrifugal force to move water. Centrifugal force is defined as the action that causes something, in this case water, to move away from its center of rotation.

All centrifugal pumps use an impeller and volute to create the partial vacuum and discharge pressure necessary to move water through the casing. The impeller and volute form the heart of a pump and help determine its flow, pressure and solid handling capability.

An impeller is a rotating disk with a set of vanes coupled to the engine/motor shaft that produces centrifugal force within the pump casing. A volute is the stationary housing in which the impeller rotates that collects, discharges and re-circulates water entering the pump. A diffuser is used on high-pressure pumps and is similar to a volute but more compact in design. Many types of material can be used in their manufacture but cast iron is most commonly used for construction applications.

In order for a centrifugal, or self-priming, pump to attain its initial prime the casing must first be manually primed or filled with water. Afterwards, unless it is run dry or drained, a sufficient amount of water should remain in the pump to ensure quick priming the next time it is needed.

As the impeller churns the water (Figure 2), it purges air from the casing creating an area of low pressure, or partial vacuum, at the eye (center) of the impeller. The weight of the atmosphere on the external body of water pushes water rapidly though the hose and pump casing toward the eye of the impeller.

Centrifugal force created by the rotating impeller pushes water away from the eye, where pressure is lowest, to the vane tips where pressure is the highest. The velocity of the rotating vanes pressurizes the water forced through the volute and discharged from the pump.

If The Pump is Self-Priming Why Do I Need to Add Water?

Most centrifugal pumps require the pump casing to be filled with water (manually primed) before starting. Self-priming is a term used to generally describe many centrifugal pumps. This simply means the needs water added to the casing in order to create a partial vacuum to remove the air from the suction hose and pump casing allowing water to flow freely into the pump.

There are many high-end pumps on the market that do not need to be manually primed before operation. These pumps are generally referred to as Prime-assist pumps. They use a vacuum pump or an air compressor to remove the air out of the suction hose and pump body in order to prime the pump. This enables the pump to start dry and re-prime itself without manually adding water. In addition, these pumps can be used when lots of air has to be moved such as with well point dewatering systems.

Water passing through the pump brings with it solids and other abrasive material that will gradually wear down the impeller or volute. This wear can increase the distance between the impeller and the volute resulting in decreased flows, heads and longer priming times. Periodic inspection and maintenance is necessary to keep pumps running like new.

Another key component of the pump is its mechanical seal. This spring-loaded component consists of two faces, one stationary and another rotating, and is located on the engine shaft between the impeller and rear casing. It is designed to prevent water from seeping into and damaging the engine. Pumps designed for work in harsh environments will require a seal that is more abrasion resistant.

Typically seals are cooled by water as it passes through the pump. If the pump is dry or has insufficient water for priming it could damage the mechanical seal. Oil-lubricated and occasionally grease-lubricated seals are available on some pumps that provide positive lubrication in the event the pump is run without water. The seal is a common wear part that should also be periodically inspected.

Regardless of whether the application calls for a standard, high pressure, or trash, every centrifugal pump lifts and discharges water in the same way. The following section will point out design differences between these pumps.

Standard Centrifugal Pumps

Standard centrifugal pumps provide an economical choice for general purpose dewatering. A number of different sizes are available but the most common model offerings are in the 2 to 4-inch range with flows from 142 to 500 gallons per minute (GPM) and heads in the range of 90 to 115 feet.

These pumps should only be used in clear water applications (agricultural, industrial, residential) as they have a limited solid handling capability of only 10% by volume. The impellers typically use a three-vane design, and the volute is compact, preventing the passage of large solids. The rule of thumb is the pump will only pass spherical solids ¼ the diameter of the suction inlet.

One advantage these pumps have over comparably sized trash models is their low initial cost. There are several reasons for this difference. Lower horsepower engines are utilized that are smaller in size and more fuel-efficient. The mechanical seals, since they are not subjected to harsh working conditions, can be made of less costly material.

High-pressure Centrifugal Pumps

High-pressure centrifugal pumps are designed for use in applications requiring high-discharge pressures and low flows. Contractors may use them to wash down equipment on the job site as well as install them on water trailers. Other uses include irrigation and as emergency standby pumps for firefighting applications.

Typically these pumps will discharge around 145 GPM and produce heads in excess of 300 feet. The pump may have a 2- or 3-inch suction port and up to three discharge ports of varying size for added versatility. The impellers used on these pumps are a closed design and not open like those used on other types of centrifugal pumps. Similarly the diffuser is more compact than a regular volute in order to generate the high discharge pressures.

These pumps by design are not capable of handling any types of solids or even sandy water. Silt, sand or debris would almost immediately clog the pump if allowed to enter into the casing. Additionally, the impeller and diffuser may be made of aluminum rather than wear-resistant cast iron since they are not subject to abrasive materials. It is recommended that a mesh net always be placed over the suction strainer if the pump is being used in dirty water.

Trash Centrifugal Pumps

Trash centrifugal pumps get their name from their ability to handle large amounts of debris and are the preferred choice of contractors and the rental industry. The most common sizes are in the 2 to 6-inch range producing flows from 200 to 1,600 GPM and heads up to 150-feet.

The rule of thumb is that a trash pump will generally handle spherical solids up to 1⁄2 the diameter of the suction inlet. Solids (sticks, stones and debris) flow through without clogging making them ideal for the water conditions typically found on job sites. Trash pumps handle up to 25% suspended solids by volume.

Trash pumps offer another benefit in that they can be quickly and easily disassembled for service or inspection. While standard pumps require special tools that aren’t always available the inside of a trash pump housing can be accessed with common tools.

Customers occasionally ask why a trash pump costs more than standard centrifugal pumps. One big reason is that higher horsepower engines are needed for trash pumps. The impeller is a cast iron two-vane design and a large volute is required to handle the higher volume of water and debris. The mechanical seal — like the impeller and volute — is selected for its abrasion resistance and more parts are machined for the casing. While there is a higher initial cost it must be noted that this is recovered through the reduced maintenance over the life of the pump.

Prime-assist pumps are by design trash pumps. Their unique high-flow and high air handling characteristics are well suited for large volume dewatering projects, well point dewatering, sewer bypass applications, and other auto-start applications.

Diaphragm Pumps

Diaphragm pumps use a positive displacement design rather than centrifugal force to move water through the casing. This means that the pump will deliver a specific amount of flow per stroke, revolution or cycle.

Engine-powered versions are the most common and typically use the drive shaft to turn an offset connecting rod that is coupled to a flexible diaphragm. The connecting rod alternately raises (expands) and lowers (contracts) the diaphragm at a rate of 60 cycles per minute (RPM).

Diaphragm pumps are commonly referred to as mud hogs, mud hens and mud suckers. Their names reflect their popularity for use in applications where shallow depths and slurry water render centrifugal pumps ineffective.

A diaphragm pump provides the lowest rate of discharge and head by comparison of any contractor pump. The most popular are 2 and 3-inch gasoline-powered models producing flows in the range of 50 to 85 GPM. They have the ability to handle air without losing their prime and of handling water with a solid content greater than 25% by volume.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Pump Volute Casing.

Slow-seepage applications are the most common uses for diaphragm pumps. These conditions exist in any trench or excavation where groundwater seeps slowly into the work site and in areas with high water tables. In these environments centrifugal pumps are unable to perform effectively because their high-discharge volumes combined with low water levels would cause the pumps to quickly lose their prime.

Another design benefit is that diaphragm pumps do not run the risk of being damaged if run dry for long periods of time. Since there is no impeller or volute the only wear parts are the flapper (inlet and outlet) valves along with the diaphragm.

Submersible Pumps

Few items provide as quick a return on investment and as long a work life as submersible pumps. Their compact and streamlined design makes them ideal for wells and other jobs where space is limited. A typical rental company may stock pumps in sizes from 2 to 6-inches producing flows ranging from 45 to 790 GPM and heads up to 138 feet.

Submersibles have the advantage of being able to be work in the water source being pumped. As a result the submersible is not subject to the suction lift limitations of other typical contractor pumps. No suction hose is required helping to save money and time while eliminating a potential source of problems. The pump is limited only by the discharge head it is capable of producing.

The pumps can also be classified by motor size and voltage requirements. Smaller units, with !/3 and !/2 horsepower 115- volt motors are ideal for homeowner use or light-duty jobs. Experienced dewatering contractors will often choose pumps with 230/460-volt 3-phase motors as they provide higher performance and cost less to run over time.

The pump motors use a vertical shaft to turn the impeller and generate the velocity needed to create the discharge pressure. Water flows in through the bottom and is discharged out the top of the pump casing. Submersible trash pumps use a vortex design that allows the pump to handle some solids without passing through the casing.

Combining electricity and water obviously brings a certain element of risk. Further, it is difficult and often impossible to know if there is a problem once the pump is submerged. As a result the pump should provide some built-in protections to ensure safety and guard against damage to the equipment.

A high quality pump will have its motor housed in a watertight compartment and equip it with thermal overload sensors that shut down the motor to prevent damage from overheating. Pumps should also be used with GFCI protected circuits.

Some manufacturers may choose to list their pumps with an independent testing laboratory. There are many laboratories but the most common in North America are Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Maintenance is minimal and generally consists of periodically inspecting the electrical cord and the mechanical sea lubricant. There are none of the concerns common with engine-driven pumps such as noise, fuel or emissions.

Control boxes and float switches are available for unattended operation of submersible pumps. The boxes provide protection against voltage fluctuations and incorrect phasing while the float switches turn the pump on and off according to fluctuating water levels. A number of different accessories are available but care should be taken that they meet the electrical requirements of the pump.

Pump Terminology

As with any field working with pumps requires an understanding of the terminology common to their applications.

It was explained earlier that pumps lift water with the aid of atmospheric pressure then pressurize and discharge it from the casing. The practical suction lift, at sea level, is 25 feet. The published specifications of most pump manufacturers will list this as maximum suction lift.

Pump performance is measured in volume as gallons per minute and in pressure as head. In general a trade off occurs between head and flow with an increase in head causing a decrease in flow or vice versa.

Head refers to gains or losses in pressure caused by gravity and friction as water moves through the system. It can be measured in lbs/in² (PSI) but is most commonly listed in feet of water in published specifications.

To illustrate this consider that a Multiquip 3-inch trash pump is rated with a maximum head of 90-feet. A pump must produce 1 PSI to push a column of water vertically 2.31 feet. Therefore dividing the maximum head rating of a pump by 2.31 will provide the maximum pressure capability of the pump.

90 (ft/head) ÷ 2.31 (ft/head) = 38.96 PSI

Similarly multiplying 2.31 by the maximum pressure capability of the pump will provide the maximum head rating of the pump.

2.31 (ft/head) x 38.96 PSI = 90 (ft/head)

Depending on how the measurement is taken suction lift and head may also be referred to as static or dynamic. Static indicates the measurement does not take into account the friction caused by water moving through the hose or pipes. Dynamic indicates that losses due to friction are factored into the performance. The following terms are usually used when referring to lift or head.

Static Suction Lift — The vertical distance from the water line to the centerline of the impeller.

Static Discharge Head — The vertical distance from the discharge outlet to the point of discharge or liquid level when discharging into the bottom of a water tank.

Dynamic Suction Head — The static suction lift plus the friction in the suction line. Also referred to as Total Suction Head.

Dynamic Discharge Head — The static discharge head plus the friction in the discharge line. Also referred to as Total Discharge Head.

Total Dynamic Head — The Dynamic Suction Head plus the Dynamic Discharge Head. Also referred to as Total Head.

Water temperature and suction lift have an inverse relationship. As water temperature increases the practical suction lift will decrease, because warm water contains more entrained air, causing the pump to lose its ability to prime. If the water is too warm, it may be necessary to locate the pump below the water level. This creates a net positive suction head (NPSH). Always be cautious when pumping hot water, as it can damage your pump. It is advisible to contact the pump manufacturer to determine the maximum operating temperature.

The Vacuum Test

Each time the pump is returned from a rental, it is wise to run a simple vacuum test to determine the pumping and priming capabilities of your equipment. This test takes only a few seconds to run, and in no way requires a skilled technician.

To perform the vacuum test, the pump case should be filled with water and a small amount of grease applied to the rubber face of the vacuum gauge. The discharge port should be open and free of obstruction. After the engine has been started and brought up to the proper RPM, simply apply the vacuum gauge assembly to the suction opening. In a few seconds, a vacuum will start to develop and the gauge should remain in position during the test.

If the vacuum gauge reads 25", then rest assured that the pump is capable of lifting water 25 feet (assuming that the suction hose and fittings are correctly applied). If this test is performed each time a pump is sent out on a rent, you can eliminate the customer’s complaints of the pump’s inability to prime.

If the pump has been checked and it pulls 25" of vacuum, then the problem will be elsewhere and you should refer to Pump Troubleshooting Guide.

Air Bound — A condition occurring when a centrifugal pump body is filled with air and a vacuum can no longer be formed allowing water to flow into the pump.

Capacity is the water handling capability of a pump commonly expressed as either gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH).

Cavitation is the result of vapor bubbles imploding. This occurs when the amount of water flowing into the pump is restricted or blocked.

Cleanout Covers — On trash pumps a removable cover that allows easy access to the interior of the pump casing for removal of any debris.

Dewatering — The removal of unwanted water-clear or dirty but free from hazardous material.

Diffuser — A stationary housing similar to a volute in which the impeller rotates. Compact in design, it enables the pump to produce higher heads/pressures.

Discharge Hose — A collapsible hose used to move the water discharged from the hose.

Discharge Port — Same as the outlet. The point where the discharge hose or pipe is connected to the pump.

Drain Plugs — Removable plugs used to drain water from the pump during periods of inactivity.

Dynamic takes into account motion, as opposed to static.

Flapper Valve — Rubber molded around a steel weight that seals off the inlet or outlet preventing water from either entering or exiting the pump.

Frame — A wraparound tubular steel frame provides protection for the casing and engine. These frames can simplify storage (stacking) and lifting.

Friction Loss refers to reductions in flow due to turbulence as water passes through hoses, pipes, fittings and elbows.

Hazardous Material — Any volatile, explosive or flammable liquid that requires special handling and should not be used with a dewatering pump.

Head — A measurement of pressure typically expressed in feet/head or lb/in²

Impeller — A disk with multiple vanes. It is attached to the pump engine or motor and is used to create the centrifugal force necessary for moving water through the pump casing.

Mechanical Seal — A common wear part that forms a seal between the pump and the engine or motor. Also prevents water from seeping into the engine or motor.

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) — positive flow of water to the suction port of a pump.

Performance Curves — chart water flow by comparing total head to flow rate.

Prime — The creation of a vacuum inside the pump casing.

Pump Housing — The pump body or casing. Depending on the design may be made of plastic, aluminum, cast-iron or stainless steel.

Self-Priming — The ability of a pump to purge air from its system and creating an area of low pressure that permits water to flow into the pump casing.

Shock Mounts — Rubber mounts used to dampen vibration from the engine and help prevent the pump from “walking away.”

Skid Mount — Pump and engine mounting mounted on a base.

Slow Seepage — Water that drains slowly into a trench or work area from the surrounding area. Possibly caused from run off or high water tables.

Solids — Any particulate that passes through the pump: mud, sand, rock or other debris.

Static acting by weight not motion, as opposed to dynamic.

Strainer — A fitting at the end of the suction hose that prevents solids from entering the pump larger than what it is capable of passing.

Strain Relief Protector — A support that prevents the electrical cord of a submersible pump from being accidentally pulled out of the casing.

Suction Hose — A reinforced hose used through which water flows into the suction end of a pump.

Suction Port — Same as the inlet. The point where the suction hose or pipe is connected to the pump.

System — the network of hoses, pipes and valves linked to the pump.

Thermal Overload Sensors — A feature built into the motor of submersible pump that shuts it down should the operating temperature become too high.

Viscosity — The resistance to flow of a liquid at a given temperature. High viscosity liquids such as motor oil are more resistant to flow than water.

Volute — A stationary housing inside the pump housing in which the impeller rotates. It is used to separate air and water.

Water Hammer — Energy transmitted from a sudden stoppage in the flow of water out of the pump.

Wear Plate — A replaceable steel insert that fits inside the volute or suction cover of a pump. Helps to form a vacuum with the impeller and reduce the cost of replacement parts.

Weep Hole — A small opening on the underside of the pump where it is joined to the engine. Allows quick detection of a leak before water seeps into the oil sump of the engine.

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