How to protect your pump from dead-head conditions

Hi, I'm Dana, and I'm here to talk to you about pump protection intelligence made easy. We will explore the best way to protect your pumping systems from the damaging effects of a dead-head or other underloaded condition like a starved or dry pump.

What is a dead-head

A dead-head is when a centrifugal pump operates with no flow through the pump due to a closed or blocked discharge valve. The pump will recirculate the same water, causing the water temperature to rise. The excessive heat produced can damage expensive seals and significantly reduce the life of your pump.

How to protect your pump

It's ideal to detect the development of an underloaded condition, like a dead-head before the damage occurs. Traditional pump diagnostic methods, like a float switch, are ineffective in detecting a dead-head condition because water levels do not decrease. The key to fast and accurate detection is being able to identify decreases in motor load.

How to detect underloaded conditions

The best method for detecting underloaded conditions is by using tools that can monitor power. This is because of the difference between the way power varies across the load profile compared to current. While current is relatively flat below 50% loading, power varies literally with respect to load across the load range. This makes low power protection a reliable method for quickly detecting even small decreases in the load due to a dead-head. For light loads, power is up to 10 times more sensitive than current-based methods of detection.

Tools like Eaton's Power Xpert C445 motor management relay provide industry-leading configurable protection options for current voltage and power conditions. Customers can take advantage of easy-to-use low power protection to accurately detect a dip in power when a dead-headed condition occurs, taking the motor offline before costly damage. Low power protection can be set to the desired percentage of rated power and provide separate warning trip levels and delays. C445, provides a single, compact solution for pump protection, as well as thermal overload, ground fault and other current- or voltage-base protections.

For more information, contact your local Eaton sales representative, or call Eaton Care at 877-ETN-CARE, 877-386-2273.

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