English
Surface pumps have become increasingly popular over recent years, partly because they are easy to install. They use gravity to move liquid materials such as water and liquid chemicals through a system of tubing and can also operate with very little noise. Unlike submersible pumps, surface pumps do not require any sort of housing to maintain their position.
The main components of submersible surface pumps are: an outlet, inlet, sealed fan and an impeller. The outlet is connected to a body of water and the inlet may be plugged with a hose or removed entirely if desired. The amount of circulating water is controlled by the position of the inlet, usually depending on whether a counterbalance is provided. As with most other submersibles, the motor turns at high pressure, which is connected to the impelling unit. As the impellator spins it generates a centrifugal force that draws the liquid from the pump into and out of the system.
Submersible surface pumps can be either oil-lubed or water-lubed. Oil-lubed surface pumps tend to have better lubrication properties than water-lubed ones. Oil surfaces have a tendency to stay cool, even during operation, while water surfaces tend to accumulate a raft of mineral build up and sludge over time. Some oil-lubed surface pumps require regular maintenance while water-lubed pumps only need to be covered when they are drained. Some oil-lubed pumps are capable of self-cleaning while water-lubed pumps cannot.
There are two basic submersible pumps: electric pumps and surface pumps. The electric pump works with the power from an electric motor. Electric pumps are the most commonly installed in residential applications as they are usually easier to install and can save you some labor costs if you do not know much about machinery. However, if you are using an electric pump for your submersible pumps then you should take note that you may encounter some electrical issues if your system experiences voltage issues. These problems can usually be solved by contacting a qualified electrical contractor.
Surface pumps, however, have an advantage over electric pump water flow systems in that they are less likely to experience a voltage problem and they do not require any electrical connection to your well. Electric surface pumps, however, are also more likely to experience wear and tear as well as wear and tear to the fluid path. For this reason, it is recommended that you allow your surface pumps to gradually idle before transferring the water source to your well. Electric surface pumps have limited water flow rates and can even stop working altogether. It is always best to avoid using your electric pump on shallow wells.
Surface Pumps are an excellent choice for shallow wells in areas that receive little or no sun exposure. Solar pumps are used in areas where the sun is out most of the day and your water supply is not at risk from a lack of sun exposure. Solar pumps are available in both self contained models and those that need to be connected to a power plant or water tower. Solar pumps work on the same principle that other solar powered pumps use - the solar panel collects energy from the sun, stores it in batteries, and then converts the energy into energy needed for pumping water from your well.
