Liquiflo FTS300 Series, Safety, Installation, Operation And Maintenance Instructions, Page: 11 / 50

3 Operation
Liquiflo FTS Transfer Pump User Manual
Series No. FTS300
11
Startup procedures
Checklist
Prior to starting your Transfer Pump, go through the checklist below to verify
you are ready to begin pump operation:
Check Explanation/comment Checked
Is all piping supported independently
of, and lined up naturally with, the
pump flange? This helps to prevent:
• Strain on the pump
• Misalignment between the pump and the drive unit
• Wear on the pump bearings and the coupling
• Wear on the pump bearings, seal, and shafting
Is the piping as short as possible? This helps to minimize friction losses.
Are only necessary fittings used? This helps to minimize friction losses.
Are all the piping joints and fittings
airtight? This prevents air from entering the piping system or
leaks that occur during operation.
Are all required valves open before
operation? Do not operate the pump against a blocked discharge
–
this will “dead head” the pump and cause immediate
damage to the pumping mechanism
Are any electrical connections made
to all applicable codes and standards? This helps prevent dangerous electrical hazards
Are all covers in place? This includes the junction box covers and any other
safety guards required for your application. This helps
prevent dangerous electrical hazards as well as serious
personal injury or death
Is the pump securely mounted at the
service location? This will ensure safe operation and prevent serious
personal injury or death
If a motor is being used, have you
installed a variable frequency drive
(VFD) or Soft Starter? Using these devices will prevent premature failure of the
Transfer Pump and can prevent serious personal injury,
in addition to providing potential economic benefits
Pump priming
The Transfer Pump is self-priming, however the ability
of the pump to self-prime is related to the Net Positive
Suction Head Available (NPSH
A
) in the installation. As
long as there is sufficient NPSH
A
, the Transfer Pump
will successfully prime. The amount of time it will take
to prime depends on the dry volume of the piping on the
suction side of the pump. To reduce priming time,
reduce the volume of empty piping on the suction side
of the system.
Understanding the Net
Positive Suction Head
(NPSH) requirements of your
Liquiflo FTS pumping unit is
critical to its performance.