Experts at electromechanical specialists Houghton International have highlighted that preventive maintenance is key to avoiding emergency repairs and expensive downtime.
The company emphasises the importance of regular maintenance which allows operators to spot seemingly minor issues such as worn bearings or a damaged seal which, if not addressed, could shut down an entire system.
Houghton urges pump owners to use modern testing and condition monitoring systems such as pump performance testing and vibration analysis.
A performance test can measure the efficiency of the pump system - the ratio of the delivered water horsepower and the brake horsepower delivered to the pump shaft.
A 75% efficiency rate is considered optimal, while 50% or lower indicates a potential issue.
Vibration analysis will examine vibrations occurring at specific frequencies across a wide spectrum. A reading of more than 1–2 mm/sec can indicate a problem.
A technician can advise on these areas to ensure optimum performance, safety and value.