A well-installed pump can last for decades while providing reliable and cost-efficient pumping the whole time. However, that’s only true if the pump installation goes well. A lot of planning and preparation is needed, and not every installer has the expertise to ensure the pump is properly deployed.
FloRight Pump & Controls has decades of experience helping everyone from municipal governments to everyday farmers keep their water flowing. These are some of the most important issues to focus on during a pump installation.
Five Tips for An Effective Pump Installation Process
1 – A proper foundation
A pump must have a foundation capable of holding up the full pumping system, plus water, while also absorbing all vibrations created by the pump. This requires a thick concrete slab, installed to be as level as possible. A tilt, or uneven surface, of only 0.003″ could potentially disrupt the flow.
2 – Strong pipe support
Another common installation mistake is putting too much pressure on the connectors linking the pipe directly to the motor. That coupling is not designed to hold up the weight of the pipe, or even much weight at all. There need to be plenty of support structures in place to carry the pipe and ensure the connectors don’t become over-stressed.
3 – Perfect shaft alignment
In most cases, the pump and the motor controlling it will be collinear across both the horizontal and vertical planes. Any deviation here will disrupt the power shaft, reducing efficiency, and leading to mechanical issues over time. This is another reason that a well-placed and level foundation is a must.
4 – Verifying motor rotation direction before connecting
The pump in a pumping system is only designed to run in one direction. Attempting to spin it in the opposite direction will create catastrophic failures, very quickly. For this reason, the motor should always be tested before being connected to the pump, to ensure the rotation is in the proper direction.
5 – Test before committing
Finally, it’s good practice to do a short test run of the pump before committing to a full run. This will ensure everything is installed properly. Such tests are particularly important if the pump will be moving hot materials, as problems can easily arise when hot liquid hits the pipes and machinery for the first time.
Get Pump Installation & More
FloRight Pumps & Controls has the experience to install your pump properly, the first time. Please contact us whenever you need advice, or for a cost estimate on installations.
