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.

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.

If the maximum head of a pump is higher than the discharge pipe, it can then produce more pressure and the pressure pump is able to push the water higher.

Most pump manufacturers of pressure pumps including irrigation pumps and water transfer pumps will supply a performance graph with the curve of the graph showing the points of pump head and pump flow rate. The intersection of these points will give you the answer to if the pump will produce enough head at the flow rate you require for your application.

EG 1: If you have a pump with a vertical discharge pipe of 7m and the pump has the specifications of a 7m head, then the pump will pump the fluid up the 7m discharge pipe but with no flow at the discharge point.

EG 2: If you are pumping up a hill which has a vertical height of 40 metres from the pump, the pump you choose will have to have a maximum head of over 40 to have fluid arrive at the discharge point. The higher the head over 40 the more fluid arriving at the discharge point in litres per minute.