With the onset of spring, depending on the area, the water pressure in the water supply system of residential buildings significantly decreases. This common problem always requires a solution. You can demand the necessary pressure from the public service, but for many reasons this is almost always impossible to achieve. Often in such situations, a conventional pressure boosting system is used. The purchase of these devices can be paid individually or by all residents of the apartment building. It is always possible to install pressure boosting systems yourself.
Pump functions
Special installations that increase pressure serve to stabilize the work of plumbing. The list of pump functions includes water supply for irrigation facilities, pumping liquids, and ensuring circulation in a variety of technological processes. Also, tasks are performed to increase the pressure in fire systems, engineering structures of cold and hot water supply.
In some cases, a low pressure does not allow the use of household appliances in a private house, office or apartment. In such a situation, the installation of increasing pressure in the water supply system will be simply irreplaceable.
Available models
The widest assortment of imported and domestic boosting pumps can be classified according to a number of key features. Devices can have automatic or manual startup mode. According to the type of design, centrifugal and in-line pumps are distinguished. Such devices differ in the horizontal or vertical direction of rotation of the axis in the working system.
Grundfos brand pumps
In many countries, these pumps are in very high demand. The products of the famous Danish concert with a duct sensor and a wet rotor are cast-iron UPA 15-90, as well as UPA 15-90N with a corrosion-resistant coating. Installations have always been compact in size. The power of such pumps is small, they almost do not create noise and are made only of high quality materials. The installation of increasing water pressure due to such characteristics occupies a leading position among existing manufacturers of such equipment. A special switch is provided on the housing, which allows you to switch the pump from manual to automatic operation.
WILO Products
The manufacturer specializes in multi-purpose pumps and manufactures wet-rotor units and flow sensors such as PB400EA, PBH089EA, PB201EA and PB088EA in cast iron housing. Several advantages of the units can be distinguished: high corrosion resistance, quiet operation, relatively low power consumption, low weight and compactness, thermal protection system, the possibility of easy installation using nuts for fastening.
Wester Booster Pump
Most often used in the design of water supply systems for cottages, houses, individual apartments, small offices. Installed anywhere on the pipeline. These pumps can operate in various modes. A special switch is installed on the terminal block.
After choosing a specific position, the installation of increasing water pressure will work in one of several modes. This may be a continuous action in which protection against dry running is not provided . The pump can be turned off, but the water will still flow through it to the consumer. The device can automatically turn off when there is no liquid and operate at a flow rate of more than 0.033 liters per second.
Pump recommendations
When choosing a suitable unit, you should pay attention to the maximum flow rate, pressure and power, the range of operating temperature in which the pressure boosting unit functions normally, as well as the noise level. The price of pumps may depend on the brand, performance, materials and technologies used in the manufacture. You can buy high-quality and compact units at an affordable cost on special trading floors where building materials are sold, in online stores with a fairly wide range of such devices, as well as in stores that sell plumbing. On the sites you can familiarize yourself in detail with the technical characteristics of such pumps, take a look at the attached photos, and compare prices for a specific model, as well as get advice from a qualified manager.
Possibilities of using pumping stations
Often pumps are used to build an irrigation system. In the simplest mechanisms, where only a supply of water pressure is needed, there is no need for additional devices. Automatic control of pressure boosting systems in such cases is not required.
In some buildings, water supply systems from wells are mounted. Such pumping stations always maintain the necessary pressure, turning off and on automatically.
A multi-pump pressure boosting system can be used with insufficient water pressure in the main pipelines. Complete with such devices intermediate storage capacities are often installed. Pumping stations are not recommended to be connected directly to main water pipelines because there is a risk of idling of mechanisms due to the lack of guarantees of continuous water supply or exceeding permissible pressure values.
The main components in water supply systems
The pressure boosting installation for a home can consist of a pressure switch, a hydraulic accumulator, as well as control and connecting equipment. Pumping stations are functionally distinguished by the possibility of constant support of the necessary pressure in water supply systems and automatic regulation of their own work depending on the use of water in the building.
Hydraulic accumulators are tanks made of metal with a special internal rubber membrane and air, previously pumped under pressure through a nipple placed under a plastic cover.
Pressure switches are electromechanical devices that respond to internal pressure in water supply systems, and open or close the circuit depending on the pressure. The settings of this device can be adjusted.
The principle of operation of pumping stations
When the pump station starts, the pressure boosting unit is automatically activated and starts pumping water to consumers. After closing the tap, the accumulator is filled, while expanding the membrane and increasing the pressure in the water supply system. After reaching a predetermined pressure level, the relay switches off the pump. When the tap opens, the accumulator supplies the consumer with water under pressure. The pressure in the system will decrease, and the pump will not be activated until a certain point. The relay switches on the pump again as soon as the head drops to a certain level.
Reasons for Pressure Drop
With the change of season, there are not only changes in the temperature of the environment, but also pressure in the water supply networks. This phenomenon is caused by several reasons: the first is the illiterate miscalculation of water supply systems during the design process, determining the required diameter of the water supply system, the required capacity of pumping stations, and the average daily and average hourly water consumption. For this, it is necessary to take into account the terrain, the number and population growth for the year, the length of the networks and other factors.
Installation of a pumping station
For the normal operation of each installation, it is especially important to choose the right diameter of the suction pipe. The most suitable for this would be flexible, crushproof, reinforced hoses, as well as plastic or rigid metal products. When installing the suction pipe, sharp expansions, contractions and turns must be avoided.
It must be ensured that the pipe constantly deviates from the installation to the source of water intake to prevent the formation of air congestion or the accumulation of bubbles. In order to facilitate the process of filling the suction line and pump before starting, and also to prevent leakage from the system when the mechanism is turned off, check valves with a special strainer are usually installed on the suction pipes. Instructions for dismantling the pressure boosting installation require preliminary pumping of water from the system and subsequent disconnection of all components.
Pressure line
Pressure mechanisms are not subject to such stringent requirements. Naturally, the diameter of the pipes without the need is better not to narrow, so as not to create an additional loss of productivity and pressure when supplying water to consumers.
Conclusion
Technique makes life easier for a person. The operation of many devices in the household is associated with a flowing water head. A pressure boosting pump unit is the most optimal choice in ensuring the normal functioning of household appliances. These devices are widely used today in agriculture, when designing home water supply systems or when fighting fires. To choose such equipment correctly, it is necessary to determine its purpose and the necessary technical characteristics.