S SERIES PUMPS
OM-06259
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
PAGE E - 22
It is recommended that a vacuum pump be used to
draw the vacuum on the cavities. If a vacuum pump
is not available, a compressor/venturi system may
be used. If the compressor/venturi cannot draw
the higher vacuum level shown in Table E-1, draw
the motor cavity vacuum down as far as the system
will allow, then draw the seal cavity down so the dif
ferential between the two cavities is the same as
the differential between the vacuum readings
shown in the table.
Install full‐closing ball‐type shutoff valves with
quick‐disconnect fittings in the pipe plug holes in
both the motor and seal cavities. Test the motor
cavity for its full duration first, then use the shutoff
valve to maintain the motor cavity vacuum while
testing the seal cavity. The motor cavity vacuum
must
be higher than the vacuum in the seal cavity
to prevent separation of the seal faces or unseating
the stationary seal seat between the seal and mo
tor cavities.
Figure E-7 shows a simple schematic for setting
up either a vacuum pump or a venturi/compressor
test system.
ÎÎÎ
ÎÎÎ
Tee
Manometer
Vacuum Pump
Submersible
Pump
Full-Closing
Ball-Type
Shutoff Valve
Quick Disconnect
Fitting
Quick Disconnect
Fitting
Air Compressor
Venturi
Figure E-7. Vacuum Test System
Table E-1 shows the vacuum to be drawn on each
cavity, and the duration to maintain each vacuum
reading.
Any
change in vacuum reading during
the test indicates a leak which
must
be identified
and corrected before putting the pump back into
service.
Table E-1. Vacuum Test Data
Pump
Model
Seal Cavity
Vacuum
(In. Hg.)
Motor Cavity
Vacuum
(In. Hg.)
Duration
(Minutes)
Duration
(Minutes)
S8B
30
8
20
2
LUBRICATION
Seal Cavity
Check the oil level in the seal cavity before initial
startup, after the first two weeks of operation, and
every month thereafter.
Check the oil level only when the pump
is cool. If the oil level plug is removed
when the pump is hot, pressure in the
seal cavity can cause hot oil to be
ejected as the plug is removed.
To check the seal cavity oil, lay the pump on its side
and remove the seal cavity plug (9) in the interme
diate. Tip the pump and drain off a small amount of
oil into a transparent cup. If the oil level is abnor
mally low, or the color milky or dark, refer to
Drain
ing Oil From Seal Cavity
in this section for instruc
tions and troubleshooting tips. If the oil is clear, ap
ply `Loctite Pipe Sealant With Teflon No. 592' or
equivalent to the threads of the pipe plug, before
reinstalling the plug.
