MYTH: Factory Supplied Pumps are “Plug and Play”
Pumps shipped from the factory are NOT ready to be started when and as received in the field.
As an annual ritual I am compelled to remind pump industry people that 99.35% (approx.) of industrial centrifugal pumps do not arrive ready to run and play – unfortunately this “Plug and Play” pump industry myth continues to persist.
Overview
- There is NO OIL in the pump.
- The impeller may or may NOT be set to the proper clearance.
- The driver is NOT aligned to the pump.
- The direction of rotation on the motor has NOT been determined.
- The mechanical seal is NOT set.
If you already know these 5 things and fully understand the significance, then you can stop here. If you don’t know or would like a refresher please read on.
Oil
A pump shipped from the factory will NOT have oil in the bearing housing. Someone at the site must add oil prior to startup.
Oil is considered a hazardous substance in the commercial shipping world, consequently it is a violation of several federal laws to ship oil in the pump… Yes, there are means and methods to overcome this issue, but it requires special shipping, more money and paperwork. Additionally, OEM pump manufacturers are not in the business of stocking the multitude of different oils that a customer may request.
Impeller Clearance
A pump shipped from the factory may or may not have the proper axial clearance when it arrives on site. The factory adjusts the clearance at a nominal setting for the pump type and size based on ambient temperature water specifications.
The factory does not know the liquid’s temperature or other properties for the operating system. Note: it is also very possible the settings could have been adjusted after it left the factory. Confirming the clearance in the field is both easy and a professional best practice. Why take the chance? Also, prior to running the pump is the perfect time to take the initial total axial movement readings for the maintenance records.
Alignment
The driver will NOT be aligned precisely to a pump shipped from the factory. The factory utilizes laser manufactured templates for layout and performs a series of nominal checks to ascertain that the motor can be precisely aligned to the pump. Even if the factory did align the driver to the pump in accordance with the highest standards… as soon as the skid is picked up/transported the precision alignment will morph to unacceptable levels.
To learn more about about pump alignment, please check with your regional sales manager or refer to my articles on this subject:
Does Your Pump Have an Alignment Problem?
19 Tips and Common Alignment Mistakes
Driver Direction of Rotation
A pump shipped from the factory will NOT have the coupling spacer installed because you must first complete the driver rotational check with the coupling (spacer) removed. Additionally, with the coupling removed the process to set the impeller and mechanical seal is simplified.
The factory has a 50/50 chance of guessing the correct electrical phase rotation at your local site. If the rotation is wrong, the pump quickly converts to an expensive pile of useless scrap metal shortly after startup.
Mechanical Seal Setting
Factory installed mechanical seals will NOT be set. The pump comes with the seal clips in place (sleep position) to ostensibly preclude damage to the seal during shipping and handling. Plus prior to setting the seal the impeller clearance will need to be checked/set and the alignment completed.
Summary
☑ Read the instructions
☑ Add the oil
☑ Set the impeller clearance
☑ Complete the alignment and rotational checks … then set the seal
☑ Install the coupling spacer and the OHSA guard
Need some assurance when commissioning your pump? Give your RSM a call and/or perhaps review this article on the subject:
Finally
A warning tag is attached to each pump to communicate these 5 key steps to the end user/installer. Of course these steps have always been stated in the Instruction and Operations Manual (IOM). The IOM is included with every pump and if misplaced can also be downloaded from our website.
-Jim Elsey