Centrifugal Pump Mechanical Seal Setting Plates (When to dis-engage)

[Tilas]

Hello,

Just want to ask if when is the best time to did-engage the mechanical seal setting plates which is normally set by Pump Vendor in the factory before shipment of the pump to site.

Normally, this is the first thing that I do before doing the primary alignment(or any rotation of shaft) of my pumps. I just wonder if I’m doing it in the correct timing.

Or perhaps, only before running the pumps?

In some pumps, even if the mechanical seal setting plates are engaged can be turned for preliminary alignment however some of them are quite difficult to turn so I suppose it is a good idea to did-engage it before any turning of the shaft is done.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Tilas

 

[JJPellin]

As soon as the pump is installed on the base, the plates can be disengaged. There is no value fighting them to roll the shaft for the coupling alignment.

Johnny Pellin