Centrifugal Pump Testing

A pump test whitness opportunity is a great time to check for a lot of things. Obviously, recording actual head-flow relationships is the most important so that a real pump curve can be developed. Other things are important too, like if you plan to VFD the pump, checking for vibration along the shaft speeds anticipated is important. Also, leaks can be identified and and punch list items can be compiled for repair before the pump is shipped. As for the driver, you want to have full access to what is going on with the power and its relationship to head-flow, motor operating temp, current draw, power factor, vibration. etc. In essence, you want to take all the measurements necessary to recreat the manufacturers pump curve for that model of pump so that it is specific to your pump. Last but not least, you want to physically mark the pump so that when it arrives on site, it can be determined that that is the pump that you tested. This may seem like overkill, but believe me, I have seen stranger things happen when you go home and wait for the pump to arrive.

I hope this helped.....

If you are the cognizant (responsible)engineer for this pump or series of pumps of the same design, you should have obtained from the manufacturer a test specification detailing exactly what tests will be run to determine full-range normal pump performance head-flow, motor pumpdriver input power , running current and power factor, bearing temperatures and , if specified by your company, shaft radial and axial loads to verify bearing integrity. If abnormal operations like reverse rotation, reverse flow are expected and pre-specified, then these should be addressed in a full engineering test of the design. Test loop layout (especially inlet piping run),instrumentation types, ranges and locations to measure pump and driver performace should have been approved by your company prior to the test so there will be assurance of correct measurements in accordance with any pre-specified codes or standards.
If you are not responsible for the outcome of the test and are merely an invited bystander, don't worry about a thing. Just sit back and enjoy the action or chaos as the case may be. vanstoja

DOn't forget to request up-to-date instrument calibration certificates...HI specifies calibration intervals of various test instruments.

John/vanstoja is correct that a written test plan is ideal and should be agreed upon well in advance.

Also I would recommend checking vibration at various flows.