Pump Motor Protection
Pump Motor Protection
(OP)
I am designing a pumping station which will pump to a series of irrigation fields. Under normal operating conditions only two (2) or three (3) fields are irrigated at a time. The pump will operate at some 95psi which results in a 40 or 50 hp motor at the design flow. The pump should onlt operate on the first half of the curve under normal conditions. However, if the operator mistakingly opens more than three (3) irrigation zones, it is possible that the pump will operate `out' on the curve in excess of the rated horsepower. What is the best way to protect the pump from operating out of the normal range should the operator open more than the prescibed number of irrigation zones?





RE: Pump Motor Protection
Calorimetric flow sensors or "flow-captors" are ideal for this application as they have no moving parts and are impervious to dirty water.
RE: Pump Motor Protection
Perhaps, if you provide more info about the system I could help you better.
RE: Pump Motor Protection
Alternatively, you could consdeer variable speed pumps - If you do pay attention to the affinity laws
RE: Pump Motor Protection
Since this is for an irrigation system, the ability to put in complex controls is probably limited, but keep in mind if the operator is likely to open more valves than he or she should, he or she is just as likely to not open any, so make sure the discharge pipe material between the pipe and valves can handle the shutoff head (zero flow)of the pump and provide a high pressure and low pressure cutoff to the pump.