A pump sump is a pump that is used to remove water that has accumulated in a pool of collecting water, usually found in the basement of the house. Water can enter through the perimeter channel of the basement waterproofing system, channel into the basin or by natural rain or groundwater, if the crypt is below the water level.
Sump pumps are used where basement floods occur regularly and to break the moisture where the water level is above the foundation of the house. Sump pumps send water away from home to places where there are no more problems, such as a city storm channel or a dry well.
Pumps can be disposed to sanitary sewers in older installations. Once deemed acceptable, this practice may now violate the city's piping code or regulations, as it may overwhelm the city's sewage treatment system. The City urges homeowners to decide and change the disposal route of the sump pump away from sanitary sewers. Fines may apply for non-compliance. Many homeowners inherit their sump pump configuration and do not realize that the pump is discharged into the sewer.
Usually embedded in a home electrical system, the sump pump may have a battery backup. Pressurized water supply at home drives several pumps, eliminates the need for electricity at the expense of drinking water use, potentially making them more expensive to operate than electric pumps and creating additional water drain problems. Because the stack tub may overflow if it is not constantly pumped, the backup system is important for the case when the main power goes out for a long time, like when the storm is terrific.
Generally there are two types of pumps - pedestal and submarine . In the case of a pedestal pump, the motor is mounted on the sump - where it is more serviceable, but also more conspicuous. The pump impeller is driven by a long and vertical extension shaft, and the impeller is in the scroll house at the base of the pump. The submersible pump, on the other hand, is fully inserted in the sump, and is specifically sealed to prevent short-circuit power. There is a debate about better pumping varieties. The pedestal sump pump usually lasts longer (25 to 30 years) if properly fitted and free from splinters. They are cheaper and easier to remove. The submersible pump will last only 5 to 15 years. They are more expensive to buy but can take the debris without getting clogged.
The gas pump system is also used in industrial and commercial applications to control ground-level groundwater problems. Artesian aquifers or high periodic water surface situations can cause the soil to become unstable due to water saturation. During the pump function, the ground surface will remain stable. These piles usually have a depth of ten feet or more; coated with corrugated metal tubes containing perforations or drainage holes. They may include electronic control systems with visual and audible alarms and are usually covered to prevent debris and falling animals.
Video Sump pump
Components
Components of modern pumping pumps in the United States are standardized. They consist of:
- A plastic, metal, or concrete container that forms a shelter, about 2 feet (0.6 m) across and 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 m) deep, 15 to 25 gallons US (60 to 100 liters)) capacity;
- Sump pump, 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower (200 or 400 W), be it battery or electric (or both).
Maps Sump pump
Pump selection
The selection of pumps can be considered:
- Automatic vs. operation. manual - the pump can be controlled automatically by the level switch.
- Power - Sump pump power will vary from 1/4 horsepower to some horsepower.
- Head Pressure - The hydraulic head pressure from the sump pump illustrates the maximum height that the pump will move water. For example, a 15-foot (4.6 m) maximum head pump (also called a head cover) would raise water up to 15 feet (4.6 m) before it actually loses its flow.
- The length of the power cord - Running a stronger electric motor remotely from the main service panel will require a heavier gauge cable to ensure adequate voltage on the motor for proper pump performance.
- Phases and voltages - Electrically powered sump pumps are available with single or three phase phase induction motors, which have a value of 110-120, 220-240, or 460 volt. Three phase power is usually not available in residential locations.
- Water level sensing type - A fully sealed pressure switch, usually inside the pump body, makes it immune to obstructions or debris floating in the reservoir. Floating switches, especially the type attached to the short end of the short flexible power cord, can be tangled or obstructed, especially if the pump tends to move in the hollow due to the torque effect at start and stop. The pressure switch is usually set by the factory and can not be adjusted, while the float switch can be adjusted in place to adjust the high and low water levels in the storage basin. There is a solid state switch that utilizes field effect technology, which will turn on and off the pump through the use of internal switches and push plugs of piggyback.
- Backup and alarm systems for important apps.
Backup component
A battery-powered backup pump that can generally operate if the first pump fails. The battery-powered secondary pump will have a separate battery and charging system to provide power if the normal supply is interrupted.
An alternative sump pump system can be driven by urban water pressure. The water-powered ejector pump has a separate pump, float and check valve. The float that controls the spare pump is installed in the reservoir above the normal high water mark. Under normal conditions, the main powered pumps will handle all pumping tasks. When the water rises higher than normal for any reason, the floating reserve on the sump will lift and activate the spare reserve pump. The ejector pump can also be connected to the garden hose to supply high pressure water, with another hose to bring water away. Although ejectors such as pumping wastewater and relatively inefficient, they have the advantage of having no moving parts and offering the ultimate in reliability.
If a backup reserve system is rarely used, component failures may be overlooked, and the system may fail when needed. Some battery control units periodically test the system and warn the failed electrical components.
A battery-powered water alarm can be hung below the top of the sump to sound an alarm if the water level rises too high.
Maintenance
Shelter and sump pumps should be maintained. The general recommendation suggests checking the equipment every year. Pumps that often run due to water levels, water drainage, or weather conditions should be checked more frequently. Sump pumps, which become mechanical devices, will ultimately fail, which can lead to flooded basements and costly repairs. Redundancy in the system (multiple/secondary pumps) can help to avoid problems when maintenance and repairs are required on the main system.
When checking the sump pump and cleaning it, dirt, gravel, sand and other debris should be removed to improve efficiency and extend pump life. This barrier can also reduce the pump's ability to drain the tub, and may allow overflow. Valves can also jam from the debris. Check the opening of the drain, if applicable, to ensure there are no obstructions in the line. Even a partially blocked drain can force the pump to work harder and increase the chances of overheating and failure.
The float switch is used to automatically turn on the sump pump when the water goes up to the specified level. Floating switches should be clean of any obstructions in the cooling container. Floating guards can be used to prevent accidental buoy switches from resting at the pump house, and stay on. Since mechanical floating switches can wear out, they must be tested periodically by manually moving them to ensure that they continue to move freely and that the switch contacts open and close properly.
If left standing standing, the pedestal pump must be run manually from time to time, even if the water in the shelter is not high enough to move the float switch. This is because these pumps are unable to move all the water into the sump and the lower bearings or bushings for the pump impeller shaft tend to remain submerged, making them susceptible to corrosion and eventually freeze the drive shaft on the bearings. In alternatively, the intended support pump remains silent for a long time to be removed from the feeder and stored out of water, or the dump must be dredged to bring the remaining water level well below the bottom shaft bearing..
Footnote
Resources
- Ann Cameron Siegal, "Sump Pump's Fault, or Yours?", Washington Post , August 9, 2008
- "Sump Pump Helps Keep Out Water", North Dakota State University Extension Service, June 14, 2005
- Thomas Scherer, "Pump Sole Question", North Dakota State University Extensions Service
- "Sizing Up a Sump Pump" (pdf), University of Illinois Extension
Source of the article : Wikipedia