The motor pump is not working properly, what now?

Have you noticed that the motor pump is not working properly or has even stopped working? Find out what you can check before calling a technical assistant.

(Eduardo Terres Secco – Engineering and Technical Sales)

In principle, if you purchased quality equipment for pumping liquids and it was installed correctly, it is very likely that it will continue to work for a few years without any major difficulties.

Certainly, most of the malfunctions of a motor pump are due to inadequate model selection as well as incorrect installation and maintenance of the equipment. Depending on the application, inadequate specification of the motor pump and the materials that make up the entire pumping system generates great risks of damage to the equipment, sometimes irreversible.

Assuming that the pump was sized correctly and that until then it was operating normally, but stopped doing so, what could be happening?

 Firstly, it is important to check some simple conditions. So, before seeking assistance, here's what to do:

1. Check the power source

If the pump has stopped working or is not operating at expected standards, it could be a power issue. First of all, check the equipment specifications and ensure that it is being powered as indicated by the manufacturer. Above all, don't forget to take a look at the wires, they need to be in good condition, with no loose connections. Take advantage and also check if the electric current is actually reaching the pump.

But ATTENTION: if you are not qualified to perform this function, it is best to contact a qualified electrical professional to carry out this inspection safely.

2. Check the water supply

Maybe the problem is a lack of water. Therefore, it is recommended to always check the presence of water in the piping that supplies the pump BEFORE it is turned on, thus avoiding possible damage to the equipment. This process of eliminating the air inside the pump and suction piping and filling these regions with the fluid to be pumped, before starting the pump, is called priming.

In most equipment that requires prior priming (except self-priming motor pumps). Failure to supply liquid during operation, popularly called “dry working”, can damage the pump, especially the mechanical seal.

3. Check for leaks and obstructions

In addition to these, another very common problem with pump malfunctions is the lack of pressure and flow at the operating point and this may be due to:

• Problems with leaks in the piping (installation not watertight or broken);
• Obstruction of the piping, rotor or pumper;
• Foot valves, registers or check valves that are malfunctioning, obstructed or partially closed; or
• Air entry into the water intake or air entry into the suction pipe.

In short, discard all these factors or, in case you find any of these problems, immediately fix them! Depending on the fluid being pumped, any leak could be a health risk or a major injury and needs to be addressed.

4. Check if it is making any unusual noise

Any change in the noise emitted by the motor pump should be a warning of problems that may be occurring in the pump or pumping system.

If the noises occur close to the rotor and sound like small pops, it is most likely a cavitation problem. This occurs when the pressure with a certain liquid changes, forming air pockets that then implode. As we already said here on the blog in a previous post (click here to read), cavitation can cause serious damage to equipment and that is why it is so important to be aware of any evidence of this type of problem.

So, stay tuned and remember: one of the first signs of a pump malfunction is noise.

5. Check factory specifications

Even if the pump has been running, it may be underperforming due to a factory specification that is no longer met. To be sure, check, in addition to the operating range (maximum flow and pressure), the operating limits:

• The type of fluid pumped;
• The temperature of the pumped fluid;
• Do Ph of the pumped fluid; It is
• From the passage of solids.

In the case of FAMAC motor pumps, these and other specifications are clearly highlighted in the technical catalog that you can download from the website. To do this, simply select the desired equipment in the tab Products that the technical catalog will be available for consultation.

Finally, the problem of a drop in performance or even a stop in operation can occur due to excessive wear and even the breakdown or burning of some part or part, be it the housing, the rotor, the mechanical seal or the engine. About this, we will bring more details in a next post, okay?

To ensure you don't miss any content about pumping systems and the solutions and products manufactured and sold by FAMAC, be sure to follow us here and on social media @famacmotobombas. To the next!