9
10. General intake (suction) piping notes
The intake suction piping is the most critical part of the installation. Errors or air
leaks will cause significant issues for performance and pump reliability.
Reminders of best practice:
Pipe size must be equal to or larger than the
inlet port size (see Section 13)
Inlet piping as short and straight as practical
Avoid bends within 150mm of the inlet port
Avoid pipework which results in air pockets
Connection to the pump using unions ensures
easy removal for servicing
If the water supply is above the pump inlet, fit
an isolating valve close to the pump
A gate valve on the pump discharge will aid
diagnosing system problems
Optional: If the water is known to contain particles (sand etc.) an in-line strainer/filter can be
fitted. Usually 500 micron is sufficient, Regular maintenance is required to keep an in-line
strainer/filter clean and ensure best pump performance.
Air Pocket
Elbow too
close
Min 150mm
Connected
using a union
Intake Pipe
sized correctly
Isolation valve on
discharge line