Glossary

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Glossaries

Term Main definition
Mechanical Seals

Mechanical seals are intended to prevent the fluid ( water or oil ) used by a machine or pump from leaking to the external environment ( the atmosphere or a body of water ).

Jet Pumps

Jet pressure pumps are mounted above ground and are a non-submersible pressure pump.

Impeller

An impeller or impellor is a rotor used to increase the pressure and flow of a fluid.

Horse Power

Horse power ( hp )is a measure of power used by a pumps motor or engine to show the rate at which the pump will get its work done. One horsepower = 745.7 watts.

Head / Draw

Pump head is a measurement of pump pressure usually written in metres / head and is the maximum height vertically in metres the pump is able to push the water or fluid against gravity.

Grey Water Pump

Grey water pumps are predominantly submersible pumps which are used as a fitting within a grey water recycling system. 

Friction Loss

Friction loss is the loss of energy or “head” that occurs in pipe flow due to viscous effects generated by the surface of the pipe. Friction Loss is considered as a “major loss”.

Foot Valve

A foot valve is a valve used in plumbing and commonly used in conjunction with pumps to allow a solution to flow in one direction only. A foot valve is also known as a check valve.

Flow rate

A pumps flow rate is the measurement of the volume of liquid the pump is capable of in a given time frame. Identified on a pumps specifications the maximum capacity flow rate of the pump is commonly measured in litres per minute (L/min), litres per second (L/sec) or metres³ an hour (m³/hr).

Flooded Suction

Flooded suction in pumps refers to the liquid flowing to the pump inlet from a higher source meaning it is gravity fed.

Float Valve

A float valve is a simple controller to which responds to changes in fluid level. It can also be called a liquid level controller. The float valve will open or close according to its required use.

Diaphragm Seals

A diaphragm seal is a flexible membrane that seals and isolates an enclosure. The flexible nature of this seal allows pressure effects to cross the barrier but not the material being contained.

Check Valve

A check valve is a valve used in plumbing and commonly used in conjunction with pumps to allow a solution to flow in one direction only.

Centrifugal Pump

A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device which is designed to move fluid or water by means of the transfer of rotational energy from one or more impellers within the pump. The momentum of the impeller produces an increase in pressure or flow at the pumps discharge.

Cavitation

Cavitation occurs when the liquid in the pump turns to a vapor at low pressure. This happens because there is not enough pressure at the suction / lift end of the pump. When cavitation takes place, air bubbles are created at low pressure which can make your pump noisy and cause damage to your pump.