CENTRIFUGAL AND

SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS
Don Davis, CIC

Pump Applications
Centrifugal Pumps
Booster applications

Open water applications (25 maximum suction lift)

Shallow well applications

Applications where electrical lines cant 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.

Whats 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
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 / 2.31 = 10.8 PSI
25

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:

1 PSI loss for each 2000 increase in elevation

14.7 PSI x 2.31 = 33.9 feet of head

Insufficient atmospheric pressure to push water into the
impeller above 33.9

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 feet

Horizontal distances: measure friction loss
PSI, convert to feet

Friction Loss Tables

Friction 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 Head

171.3
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 site 17
Mainline friction loss (500 of 1 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 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

Proper installation using

galvanized fittings.

Avoid using PVC for direct connections to

centrifugal pumps. Heat generated
during operation or no-flow situations will
cause problems!

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 manufacturers 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 Damage
Brass 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

Winding Resistance Test

Refer to manufacturers 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 manufacturers 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 elevationwater line to pump
Vertical elevationpump to highest point
Mainline (size, type, length)
Suction line (size, type, length)
Well depth, yield, water level, pump set
depth
Well pump HP, GPM