Water pumping stations are needed in any home. If there is an autonomous water supply system, it is required to take water from an underground source and supply it under the necessary pressure to the water supply system.
In the presence of centralized water supply, installation is also necessary, since the necessary pressure is not always available.
The main elements of the pumping station
These include:
- pump;
- accumulator;
- pressure switch;
- check valve.
The principle of operation of the pumping station
First of all, water must be raised from the ground to the place of use. To do this, the tap opens. Turning on the pump every time is impractical, because it takes time to create pressure, and frequent starts will quickly disable it.
When a water pumping station is purchased, the instructions accompanying it contain a description of the equipment. To ensure the necessary comfortable conditions in the use of water, first of all, a membrane tank is used - a hydraulic accumulator. It is a drive with a liquid level sensor. When the accumulator is full, the pump turns 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 turned on much less frequently, 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 advent of pumping stations greatly facilitated the conditions for using water. There is no longer a need for collecting individual elements and setting up a water intake system.
The main characteristics of the pumping station
- Pump power. Depends on the number of points of consumption, the height of the liquid, the distance to the source.
- Performance. It should not exceed the source replenishment rate.
- Accumulator volume. It stores a reserve of drinking water. Its amount should provide for the needs of the house during interruptions in supply (from 25 liters). The case is made of steel, cast iron and plastic.
- The height of the water level in the source. The type of pump selected depends on this.
- The presence of electronic protection against overheating of the motor winding and dry running. Due to this, the durability of the pump increases.
- Management method. Automatic stations maintain a constant supply of water and pressure in the water supply. A water pumping station for giving does not need expensive automation, which can not be installed, but dispensed with manual control. This requires a pump, storage tank and pipeline with valves.
- The presence of a filter and check valve. Protect equipment from contamination and increase its life.
Application in a centralized water supply network
Water pumping stations are easy to connect to domestic water supply. To do this, they are accompanied by detailed descriptions, where there are installation diagrams 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 tank capacity to 60-100 liters. Otherwise, the residents of the apartment do not even have the opportunity to turn on the washing machine or column.
If there is no water in the pipes, the pump will not start because it is protected against dry running. As soon as it appears, the station will immediately resume operation.
Source water intake
For deep wells, a water pumping station for the house is installed indoors, with the exception of the submersible pump, which is placed in the well.
The surface pump has the ability to draw water only to a height of 7-10 m.
Water pumping stations are mainly used to lift water from wells and wells. When working indoors, noise is important. Nowadays it is impossible to leave a pumping station unattended. In addition, when working year-round, insulation is required. It is most convenient to install pumping stations in the basements of houses. To do this, even during construction, mini-wells are drilled and a caisson is installed nearby, where the unit is located.
The device of the pumping station
A characteristic feature of the pumping station is its initial willingness to work. If the pump requires additional fittings, here everything is already ready assembled. The water pumping station, the diagram of which is shown below, contains a pump unit, a hydraulic accumulator, coarse and fine filters and a crane. It also includes automation of fluid pressure control and protection against overheating.
The main part of the equipment is a surface centrifugal pump. It is equipped with an induction motor.
The metal accumulator contains a membrane against which the injected air presses. 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. An ejector, a filter and a check valve are attached to it.
The cable should be replaced depending on the required length. Pipelines and hoses are selected depending on the design parameters.
The principle of operation of an automatic station
Water from the accumulator is consumed until the lower level contacts, which turn on the pump, operate on the pressure switch. The fluid is pumped into the system, fills the tank and stretches the membrane located inside it. The internal pressure begins to increase until it reaches the upper limit set on the pressure switch. In this case, the contacts open and the pump motor is turned off.
The power of a household pumping station is 650-1600 watts. In an hour, it pumps from 3,500 to 5,000 liters of water under a pressure of 2.5-5 atm.
Water pump station: malfunctions
1. The engine rotates, but the pump does not pump water. Most often this occurs due to a violation of the tightness of the suction pipe. Check the tightness of all joints. If the check valve does not work, it must be repaired or replaced. The cause of the malfunction may be a blockage or failure of the spring. So that the pump can pump, the water supply is filled with water. The end of the suction hose must always be immersed in liquid. In this case, the lifting height must always be less than the permissible value specified in the technical data sheet.
2. Production between the impeller and the housing can cause a decrease in pump performance up to the point that it starts to idle. The impeller may also deteriorate as a result of wear. Parts or pump need replacing. In this case, you do not need to change the entire station.
3. The power of the electric motor to a large extent depends on the magnitude of the voltage in the network. If it is not enough, the necessary speed for pumping water can not be gained. Here you need a stabilizer.
4. Intake of water jerky due to air leaks in the suction pipe.
5. Frequent starts and shutdowns 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 with a manometer (1.5-1.8 atm in the absence of water) and, if necessary, is pumped up with an air pump. If cracks appear on the accumulator housing, they are repaired by cold welding. If the tank is serviceable, you need to check the operation of the pressure switch and replace it if necessary.
6. The pump spins without stopping. This requires adjustment of the pressure switch at the upper and lower levels. After prolonged use, the previous pressure can no longer be achieved. Therefore, it is reduced by loosening the spring or installing a marker. Sometimes it is enough to clean the inlet of the relay from hardness salts. You should 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, you need to turn the impeller or shaft by hand, and then plug it into the network. A capacitor that supplies three-phase motors operating from a single-phase network can fail. It needs a replacement.
If you select, install and operate water pumping stations correctly, repair will not be needed for a long time.
Mounting
What else should be considered when a water pumping station is planned? Its installation is carried out near the source. For year-round use, it should have a warm room.
Pipes from a well or well 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 it from pollution.
The pump station is installed on a solid foundation, bolted and grounded.
The system is filled with water, after which the pump is turned on. After the pressure rises to a predetermined value, it should turn off and turn on again as the water flows.
Conclusion
Water pumping stations are used to create and maintain water pressure in the water supply system within specified limits. The characteristics of the device must be correctly selected based on the needs and parameters of the source. Properly installed equipment will stably and for a long time supply the house with drinking water, creating an adequate supply in case of interruptions in its supply or power outages.