CENTRIFUGAL AND SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS

Don Davis, CIC

Pump ApplicationsCentrifugal Pumps• Booster applications• Open water applications (25’ maximum suction lift)• Shallow well applications• Applications where electrical lines can’t be installed in open water

Submersible Pumps• Deep well applications• Open water applications with suction lifts above 25’• Open water applications with excessive elevation requiring higher output pressure• Applications where a visible pump is undesirable

Centrifugal Pump Operation How does a pump….pump?

An airtight intake creates a vacuum during impeller rotation.

14.7 psi of atmospheric pressure exists at sea level. This is the pressure pushing water into the impeller. (Atmospheric pressure decreases 1 psi for each

2000 feet increase in elevation) The spinning impeller creates inertia,

increasing pressure and discharging the water.

What’s Inside?

Internal Components Electrical motor

Voltage, phase varies by application Impeller

Plastic, cast iron, brass material options Rotating impeller pushes water against pump

casing or volute and increases pressure. Add more impellers to increase pressure and

create a multi-stage pump (that is how a ¾ horsepower pump in a 1000 foot deep well can supply water)

Pump Terminology Horsepower

Power required to lift 33,000 pounds or 3750 gallons of water 1 foot in one minute

Feet of Head A 1’ high column of water contains the

potential energy of 1’ of head The 1’ high column of water will have a

pressure of 0.433 PSI at the base

Feet of head divided by 0.433 = PSI PSI x 2.31 = feet of head

Example

What is the pressure required to pump water to the top of a 25’ column?

25’25’ / 2.31 = 10.8 PSI

0r

25’ x .433 = 10.8 PSI

How much pressure do we have at the top of the column?

Maximum Suction Lift How does this affect pump applications? Convert 14.7 PSI at sea level to feet of head:

14.7 PSI x 2.31 = 33.9 feet of head Insufficient atmospheric pressure to push water into the

impeller above 33.9’

1 PSI loss for each 2000’ increase in elevation 4000’ elevation would equal 12.7 PSI atmospheric

pressure 12.7 PSI x 2.31 = 29.3 feet of head

Rule of thumb: DO NOT exceed 25’ suction lift

Pump Curve Data Curve provides performance data for a

specific pump Curve notes GPM the pump provides at a

specific feet of head Selection of pump should be ABOVE your

specific design point on the curve Selection of a pump in the center of the curve

is ideal System design criteria is critical for pump

selection

Pump Curve - Centrifugal

Pump Curve - Submersible

Calculating Feet of Head

Vertical elevations: measure feetHorizontal distances: measure friction loss PSI, convert to feet

Friction Loss TablesFriction loss tables provide the PSI loss per 100 feet of pipe at a given flow.

Larger diameter pipe results in lower PSI loss at the same flow.

Calculating Feet of Head Assume system requirements are 12 GPM at 50 PSI:

Suction lift (assume submersible for this example)0’

Elevation change from pump to highest point on site 17’ Mainline friction loss (500’ of 1” SCH 40, 12 GPM)

38.8’ 3.36 PSI loss/100 feet * 500 feet mainline = 16.8 PSI 16.8 PSI * 2.31 = 38.8’

Desired operating pressure of 50 PSI converted to feet:115.5’ 50 PSI * 2.31 = 115.5’

Total Feed of Head171.3’

Will need to use the 1 hp submersible from the pump curve

Pump Selection Reducing feet of head requirements may allow selection

of smaller pump. Take the previous example:

Suction lift (assume submersible for this example) 0’

Elevation change from pump to highest point on site17’

Mainline friction loss (500’ of 1 ¼ ” SCH 40, 12 GPM)10.2’ 0.89 PSI loss/100 feet * 500 feet mainline = 4.45 PSI 4.45 PSI * 2.31 = 10.2’

Desired operating pressure of 45 PSI converted to feet:103.9’ 45 PSI * 2.31 = 115.5’

New total feet of head:131.1’

Can use the ¾ hp submersible from the pump curve

Proper Plumbing - Suction Most pumps fail due to improper

plumbing on the suction side. Minimize fittings and bends Size the suction line 1-2 pipe sizes larger than

the inlet thread size. Make it as short as possible. Use a straight, level length of pipe into the

suction. (length = 5-10 times the pipe diameter)

Foot valve/strainer must be in clean water.

Proper Plumbing - Discharge

Discharge plumbing tips: Use galvanized pipe/fittings Install an isolation valve to aid in priming Pressure relief valve/priming port should directly above

discharge Install a union for maintenance purposes Add filtration to all non-potable water sources Install a pressure gauge Install a high temperature sensor, low pressure sensor

Avoid using PVC for direct connections to centrifugal pumps. Heat generatedduring operation or no-flow situations will cause problems!

Proper installation using galvanized fittings.

Submersible Pump Installation

Pump sled to include an inlet strainer and outlet well seal

Install union in discharge line near shore for maintenance purposes

Include safety line for retrieval

Install check valve in suction line

Submersible Pump Installation

Pump sled can be constructed from PVC pipe and fittings.

Use galvanized (or stainless steel) fittings between the pump and discharge pipe. Pump start-up torque WILL unscrew the pump from PVC fittings!

Well seal prevents torque spin Secure wiring to discharge pipe. Leave excess

wire at shore line for maintenance purposes. Install isolation valve upstream of pump for

troubleshooting purposes.

Pump Sled or Sleeve A casing is mandatory for a submersible pump!

The water intake is located above the motor. Placing the pump in a casing forces all of the intake water to pass over the motor for cooling purposes.

A pump left in open water WILL overheat. Cistern or dock applications: install pump inside

a sleeve.

On-Demand Pump Systems Use in situations where a continuously

pressurized mainline is not desired Does not require pressure tank

installation Pump activates only when irrigation

controller signals operation

On-Demand Pump Controls

Pump Start Relay 2 wire pumps can use a standard PSR 3 wire pumps require a control box with start

capacitor Refer to manufacturer’s cable sizing charts to

determine wire gauge requirements

Pressurized Pump Systems Use in situations where a PSR is not

feasible Multiple controllers using same pump Quick couplers or hydrants desired on site Controller and pump are not in close

proximity

Special requirements: Shelter large enough to accommodate

pressure tank(s) Drain to exterior for PRV

Pressurized Pump Controls

Size bladder tank at minimum one gallon drawdown for each GPM of pump capacity. Multiple tanks can be installed in series for higher GPM requirements. Set tank pressure at 2 PSI below pump cut-in pressure.

Tank tee allows for pressure switch, pressure gauge, pressure relief valve, drain valve, and check valve installation in a compact location.

Varied GPM Requirements Cycle Stop Valve

Restricts pump output to match GPM demand. As demand decreases, the Cycle Stop Valve increases back pressure on the motor. Increased back pressure decreases the gallon requirement. This decrease in gallon requirement reduces the load on the motor, resulting in reduced amperage draw and therefore power consumption.

Pressure downstream remains constant within the allowable flow rates for the particular unit.

Byproduct of Cycle Stop Valve operation is the elimination of water hammer.

Varied GPM Requirements Variable Frequency Drive Motor (VFD)

Varies the frequency and voltage supplied to an electric motor. As frequency (or hertz) increases, motor RPM increases.

While a standard motor will operate at full RPM regardless of GPM demand, a VFD has potential for energy savings when operating at a lower frequency during lower GPM demand.

3 phase motor required

Cavitation Formation of air bubbles in a liquid that

occurs when the pressure falls below the vapor pressure.

The vapor will turn back to a liquid and ‘explode’, causing damage to the components.

Preventing Cavitation Increase net positive suction head (NPSH)

available by: Increase the diameter of suction line Minimize fittings in suction line Reduce flow rate through pump Reduce suction lift elevation Reduce suction line distance Create artificial pressure on the discharge by

installing smaller diameter discharge pipe or throttling valve

Cavitation DamageBrass Impeller

Troubleshooting – All Motors

MOTOR STARTS TOO OFTEN Check setting on pressure switch. Reset limit

or replace switch. Damaged or defective check valve will not

hold pressure. Check for waterlogged pressure tank. Change

air charge or replace tank. Examine system for leaks and repair as

necessary.

MOTOR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY Check pressure switch for welded contacts;

adjust settings as necessary Pump intake blocked Check valve stuck closed Low water level or loss of prime Leak in discharge Worn pump: symptoms similar to low water

level or drop pipe leak; reduce pressure switch setting and pump will shut off indicates warn parts

PUMP DELIVERS LITTLE OR NO WATER Low line voltage to motor Incomplete priming of pump Air lock in suction line Drop pipe has disconnected from pump Low water level Clogged or defective foot valve / strainer Worn pump parts or plugged impeller

Circuit Breaker, Fuse, Overload Trips

Check for correct line voltage. Overheated control or starter may require

ventilation. Defective control box. Defective motor or cable. Worn pump or motor.

Insulation Resistance Test Ohm reading < 500,000 indicates

insulation damage. With power off and motor leads disconnected,

test resistance between any one of the motor leads and equipment ground. A normal ohm value for all leads indicates the motor is not grounded and the cable insulation is not damaged. New motor (without drop cable): 20,000,000 +

ohms Existing motor (without drop cable): 10,000,000

+ ohms New motor in well: 2,000,000 + ohms Existing motor in well: 500,000 – 2,000,000

ohms

Winding Resistance Test Refer to manufacturer’s charts for ohm

values. 2 wire motors: measure resistance from line

to line 3 wire motors: measure resistance Y to B

(main winding) and Y to R (start winding) If all ohm values are normal, motor is not

grounded and cable insulation is not damaged If any one value is < normal, the motor is

shorted If any one value is > normal, the winding or

cable is open / bad splice

Control Box Schematic

Control Box-Ohm Tests Power OFF for ohm tests:

Overloads should ohm less than 0.5 Capacitor should ohm near 15,000 Relay coil should ohm 4500-7000 Relay contact should zero ohm Start and run capacitors should ohm near zero

and then move toward infinity

Control Box-Amperage Tests

Motor under load for amperage tests: Red lead current should start high and then

fall to manufacturer’s chart reading. Black and yellow lead current should not exceed chart reading. Relay or switch failure: Constant high red lead

current and overload tripping Open run capacitor: lower than normal red lead

amps, and higher than normal yellow and black lead amps

Failed start capacitor or open switch / relay: red lead current is not momentarily high at starting

Review Water source type Minimum and maximum flow, GPM Desired pressure at sprinklers Vertical elevation—water line to pump Vertical elevation—pump to highest point Mainline (size, type, length) Suction line (size, type, length) Well depth, yield, water level, pump set

depth Well pump HP, GPM