Pump stations: instruction, diagram, installation, malfunctions

Water pump stations are needed in any house. If there is an autonomous water pipe, it is required to take water from an underground source and supply it under the required pressure to the water supply system.

If there is a centralized water supply, the installation is also needed, since there is not always the necessary pressure.

The main elements of the pumping station

These include:

• pump;
• Accumulator;
• pressure switch;
• Check valve.

The operating principle of the pumping station

First of all, the water must be raised from under the ground to the place of use. A tap is opened for this purpose. Turning the pump on every time is impractical, since it will take time to create pressure, and frequent starts will quickly disable it.

When a water pump station is purchased, the instruction accompanying it contains a description of the equipment. To ensure the necessary comfort conditions in the use of water, a membrane tank is first used - a hydraulic accumulator. It is a drive with a liquid level sensor. When the accumulator is full, the pump switches off and turns on only when the amount of liquid in the tank is reduced to a minimum. As a result, the pump will be switched on much more rarely, although the frequency of starts is directly related to consumption. But here you can increase the volume of the membrane tank or install an additional one in the network, which will allow you to accumulate more water.

The appearance of pumping stations greatly facilitated the use of water. There was no need to collect individual elements and adjust the water intake system.

Main characteristics of the water pump station

1. Power of the pump. Depends on the number of points of consumption, the height of the rise of the liquid, the distance to the source.
2. Performance. It should not exceed the rate of replenishment of the source.
3. Volume of accumulator. It stores a reserve of drinking water. Its quantity should provide for the needs of the house in case of disruptions in supplies (from 25 liters). The case is made of steel, cast iron and plastic.
4. The height of the water level in the source. This determines the type of pump to be selected.
5. Presence of electronic protection against overheating of engine winding and dry running. This increases the life of the pump.
6. Method of management. Automatic stations maintain a constant supply of water and pressure in the water supply. The water-pump station for the dacha does not need expensive automatic equipment, which can not be installed, but can be managed manually. This requires a pump, a storage tank and a pipeline with shut-off valves.
7. The presence of a filter and a non-return valve. Protect the equipment from contamination and extend its life.

Application in a centralized water supply network

Pump stations can easily be connected to domestic water pipes. To do this, they are accompanied by detailed descriptions, where there are mounting schemes and operating instructions.

For a city apartment it is enough to have a membrane tank with a capacity of 20 liters. This stock is enough for the user. On the upper floors the water pressure is always lower, and it is advisable to increase the capacity of the tank to 60-100 liters. Otherwise, the tenants of the apartment do not even have the option of including a washing machine or a column.

If there is no water in the pipes, the pump will not start, because it is protected from dry running. As soon as it appears, the station will immediately resume its work.

Water intake from the source

In deep wells, the water pump station for the house is installed indoors, with the exception of a submersible pump that is placed in the well.

At the surface pump it is possible to produce a water intake only to a height of 7-10 m.

Pumping stations are mainly used for lifting water from wells and wells. When they work in the rooms is important noiselessness. You can not leave the pumping station unattended in our time. In addition, all year round work requires warming. It is most convenient to install pumping stations in the cellars of houses. To do this, even during the construction of the Buryat mini wells and equip the caisson near where the unit is located.

Pumping station device

A characteristic feature of the pumping station is its initial readiness for operation. If an additional reinforcement is required for the pump, everything is already ready in the assembled state. The water pump station, shown below, contains a pump unit, a hydraulic accumulator, coarse and fine filters and a crane. It also includes automatic control of liquid pressure and protection against overheating.

The main part of the equipment is a surface centrifugal pump. It is supplied with an asynchronous electric motor.

The metal accumulator contains a membrane on which pressurized air is pressed. When filling, water presses on the membrane and compresses the air. The amount of liquid inside is regulated by the sensors of the upper and lower levels.

The pump is attached to the tank from above. It comes with an ejector, a filter and a non-return valve.

The cable should be replaced depending on the required length. Pipelines and hoses are selected depending on the design parameters.

The principle of automatic station operation

The water from the accumulator is consumed until the low pressure switch on the pressure switch activates the pump. The liquid is pumped into the system, fills the tank and stretches the membrane inside it. The internal pressure starts to build up until it reaches the upper limit set on the pressure switch. The contacts are opened and the pump motor is switched off.

The capacity of the household pumping station is 650-1600 W. In an hour it pumps from 3500 to 5000 liters of water at a pressure of 2.5-5 atm.

Water Pump Station: Faults

1. The motor rotates, but the pump does not pump water. Most often this is due to a breach of the tightness of the suction pipe. Check the tightness of all joints. If the non-return valve does not work, it must be repaired or replaced. The cause of the malfunction may be a blockage or failure of the spring. That the pump could pump, waterpipe fill with water. The end of the suction hose should always be immersed in the liquid. The lifting height must always be less than the permissible value specified in the technical data sheet.

2. The generation between the impeller and the housing can be a cause of a decrease in the pump's performance, even to the point that it starts to run idle. The impeller can also collapse as a result of wear. Parts or pump need replacing. You do not need to change the entire station.

3. The power of the electric motor depends to a large extent on the voltage in the network. If it is not enough, the necessary speed for pumping water can not be dialed. Here we need a stabilizer.

4. Water intake by jerks due to air sucking in the suction pipe.

5. Frequent starts and shutdown of the pump due to improper operation of the level sensors. The cause is rupture of the membrane. Its serviceability is checked by pressing the nipple. If water escapes from the air compartment, the membrane must be replaced. The air pressure may also be too low. It is measured by a manometer (1.5-1.8 atm in the absence of water) and, if necessary, is pumped by an air pump. If cracks appear on the accumulator body, they are sealed with "cold welding". If the tank is OK, check the operation of the pressure switch and replace it if necessary.

6. The pump rotates without stopping. Here you need to adjust the pressure switch on the upper and lower levels. After a long time of operation, the previous pressure value can not be achieved. Therefore, it is reduced by loosening the spring or installing the marker. Sometimes it is enough to clean the relay inlet from the hardness salts. Also check the reliability of the contacts in the electrical circuit.

7. The pump does not rotate. When it is not used for a long time, it is necessary to turn the impeller or shaft manually, and then turn it on. The capacitor, which is supplied with three-phase motors, running from a single-phase network, can break down. It needs a replacement.

If it is right to choose, install and operate water pump stations, repairs will not be required for a long time.

Installation

What else should be considered when a water pump station is planned? Its installation is performed near the source. For all-the-year-round use it must have a warm room.

Pipes from the well or borehole are laid in a trench below the depth of freezing of the soil. In this case, the source is reliably insulated. A special mesh is installed on the non-return valve to protect against contamination.

The pump station is installed on a secure base, bolted and grounded.

The system is filled with water, after which the pump starts. After the pressure rises to the set value, it must be switched off and switched on again as the water flows.

Conclusion

Pump stations serve to create and maintain water pressure in the water pipe within the specified limits. The characteristics of the device must be correctly selected, based on the needs and parameters of the source. Properly installed equipment will be stable and long supply the house with drinking water, creating a sufficient supply in case of failures in its supply or the disconnection of electricity.