We are starting up a system and apparently getting no flow from the pump and no increase in discharge pressure and low amps. I'm thinking the rotation may be reversed. I originally thought a blocked/closed suction, but upon checking the amps, I'm leaning towards a rotational issue?
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking as well. Other thoughts is actually a broken shaft, but that would be highly unusual, especially in both pumps. Wouldn't a blockage in the suction cause an increase in amps though?
Suction: 4.5 psi on both pumps (This seems to be close to what the suction head of the tank is)
Discharge: 4 psi on one pump gauge and 3 psi on the other
So, when the pumps are turned on, the suction gauges go to 4 psi and the discharge gauges go to 2 psi.
How much power was it supposed to take? If there's no impeller and just a shaft or if the impeller is loose on the shaft then there will be very low power required compared to what was expected.
Or a key was left out of the coupling and the impeller isn't turning at all.
Or the impeller isn't keyed to the motor shaft/nut loose or something like that.
Force them to tear one of these down with you there and document everything.
But what I was driving at is that this needs to be documented.
If they come back in a few weeks and say everything is working fine with no other info I would be concerned.
I have seen maintenance guys take something apart, find the fault, 'fix' it, but not check to see if there was any damage from the earlier attempts.
The first question is always, is there anything to pump, wouldn't be the first time a blanking flange hasn't been removed?
2nd question, is the pump rotating?
3rd, is it correct direction?
4th. Has all air been removed from the casing?
If yes to the above, you have a problem
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
