Identifying the working components of an electric pump

Mar 9, 2015

The housing of an electric pump can be made of cast-iron or stainless steel, zinc-coated alloys or a tough thermoplastic that guarantees non-corrosive properties. This protective jacket is the shell that holds the components of the electric pump. As such, it must always keep the electric stage and the mechanical assembly isolated. In case anyone needs reminding, water and electricity don't mix, and it's water or a mix of water and matter that tends to travel in this mechanical stage.

Defining the 5 basic parts of a pump doesn't require much time. Take a glance at the critical elements of a functioning centrifugal pump. It's likely the model that most contractors and weekend Do-It-Yourself types will encounter.

• Electric motor
• An impeller
• A shaft
• The volute
• The housing/casing

The motor housing has already been documented at the beginning of our investigation. It's a hardy cylindrical casing with fins to keep the internal workings cool and fixing holes to secure the assembly to a mounting point. The electric motor within the housing rotates a shaft, using electro-magnetic force generated by AC or DC current to increase the rotational velocity of the impeller. This impeller has been carefully engineered with vanes and shaped extrusions to maximize the centrifugal force and convert kinetic motion into raw fluid dynamics, thrusting the fluid through the volute. The diameter and speed at which this shaft and impeller rotate will determine the pressure the pump makes.

The volute is the only term here that's going to cause some frowns. A term generally reserved for fluid motion and gas turbine operation, this is the funnelled casing that guides the discharge from the pump. It's simply a fancy label attached to the specialised casing section that regulates the dynamic forces surrounding the impeller.

Electrical current generates magnetic force amid hundreds of turnings of varnished wiring inside a motor. The wires and magnets are incorporated onto the exterior of the shaft and the internal area of the cylindrical casing, resulting in mechanical motion. This is the basic operational process that hides within an electric pump. Add a few more ingredients, real-life physics, and we have the final components of the device. These are:

• Bearings to minimise rotational friction
• Rubber seals to prevent ingress of the fluid
• Electrical controls and power supply

It's worth noting that we're addressing a centrifugal pump in this instance, but most other types conform to this example.

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