Max. flow
The maximum flow of a pump is the amount of liquid it can pump in a certain amount of time.
Features of choosing the optimal performance option depend primarily on the purpose of the pump (see above). For example, for DHW recirculation models, the pump performance should not exceed the performance of the water heater. If the water heater is capable of delivering 10 litres per minute to the DHW circuit, then the maximum pump performance will be 10*60=600 L/h. The basic formula for calculating the performance of a heating system takes into account the power of the heater and the temperature difference at the inlet and outlet, and for the cold water system — the number of points of water intake. More detailed information about the calculations for each application can be found in special sources, and it is better to entrust the calculations themselves to professionals.
Max. head
The head can be described as the maximum height to which a pump can lift liquid through a vertical pipe without bending or branching. This parameter is directly related to the pressure that the pump produces: 10 m of head approximately corresponds to a pressure of 1 bar (do not confuse this parameter with operating pressure — see more about it below).
The head is one of the key specs for most circulation pumps. Traditionally, it is calculated based on the difference in height between the location of the pump and the highest point of the system; however, this principle is relevant only for units that
boost the pressure of cold water(see "Suitable for"). Circulation pumps for heating and DHW work with closed circuits, and the optimal pressure depends on the total hydraulic resistance of the system. Detailed calculation formulas for the first and second cases can be found in special sources.
Minimum fluid temperature
The lowest fluid temperature at which the pump is capable of operating normally.
Almost all pumps can normally transfer cool water, regardless of the purpose (see above); therefore, for normal household use, this parameter is not critical and for some models, it may not be indicated at all. But if you need the ability to work with liquids with temperatures below 15 °C, you should pay close attention to the minimum temperature. Some models that can be used with antifreeze normally tolerate even temperatures below zero.
Features
— Number of speeds. The number of speeds provided in the design of the pump. Each speed corresponds to its performance value (see above). The options could be:
- 1 speed. There are no adjustments in such models; when turned on, the pump can operate only at one speed. This is the simplest and most inexpensive option, due to the absence of additional elements (regulators) in the design. Of course, it is convenient only in cases where the unit must operate at full capacity every time it is turned on.
- 2 speeds. 2 speeds give the user some degree of choice: the pump does not have to be turned on at full power — when it is not required, the unit can be run at reduced power to save electricity and not wear out the mechanisms beyond what is necessary.
- 3 speeds. The largest number of adjustments found in modern pumps — it makes no sense to provide a larger number for many reasons. It gives even more options for setting operation parameters than 2 speeds.
- Stepless adjustment. This option implies the ability to set the regulator to any position from minimum to maximum (in some models, fixed settings may also be provided, but only as an additional option). It provides maximum freedom and precision in the choice of operating mode. However, it significantly affects the price; and the real need for smooth adjustment occurs quite rarely.
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Automatic operating mode.... The essence of this function differs depending on the purpose of the device (see above). So, in models for increasing the pressure of cold water, the automation turns on the pump when the tap is opened and turns it off when it is closed — a special sensor reacts to the movement of water. In models for heating and domestic hot water, automation is responsible for adjusting the operating parameters — for example, when screwing the valves and reducing the flow rate, the pump can reduce the pressure, as well as, for additional functions, such as an on-off timer. Anyway, this feature makes life easier for the user, eliminating the need to perform certain operations manually and adding new features to the pump; but the specific set of these features depends on the model.
— Display. Various additional information can be displayed on the display: operating mode, performance settings, water temperature, set timers, error messages and much more. It makes management more convenient and intuitive. Pumps usually use the simplest form of black and white LCD screens, but this is quite sufficient for the purposes mentioned.
— Control panel. In this case, the control panel means a panel that has a switch with a choice of operating modes between automatic (see above) and manual. Accordingly, the presence of several modes almost necessarily means the presence of a control panel. But the speed switches themselves are not considered for this function.Max. power consumption
The electrical power consumed by the pump during normal operation and maximum performance.
This indicator directly depends on performance — after all, for pumping large volumes of water, an appropriate amount of energy is needed. And the power depends on two main parameters — electricity consumption and the load on the power grid, which determines the connection rules. For example, pumps with a power of more than 5 kW cannot be connected to ordinary household sockets; more detailed rules can be found in special sources.
Motor type
The type of electric motor provided in the design of the pump.
— Asynchronous. Engines of this type have the simplicity of design and low price, combined with reliability. Their main disadvantage is the dependence of the rotational speed on the load, which leads to the fact that it is difficult to adjust this frequency accurately for such an engine. At the same time, for domestic use, it is not critical and in the professional sphere, it rarely creates difficulties. Therefore, induction motors are very popular in modern pumps.
— Synchronous. Synchronous motors are distinguished by high accuracy in speed control — it practically does not depend on the load on the rotor; this is their main advantage over asynchronous ones. On the other hand, this type is more complex and expensive, and the need for fine adjustment is quite rare. Therefore, synchronous electric motors are mainly installed in high-end pumps designed for use in specific conditions.
Shaft material
It is the material from which the motor shaft in the pump is made.
— Cermet. It is a material that combines metals and their alloys with non-metallic components. In modern pumps, different types of cermets can be used, differing in price and quality; usually, the features in each case directly depend on the price category of the unit. However, it is well suited for household models with relatively low performance but is poorly suitable for professional use. Therefore, in pumps of more than 15,000 litres per hour, cermet shafts are rarely used.
— Stainless steel. This material is highly durable and reliable, due to which it is found in almost all categories of pumps — from relatively simple to professional, the performance of which is in the tens of thousands of litres per hour. However, it is somewhat more expensive than cermets.
Country of brand origin
In this case, the country of origin refers to the country from which the product brand originates. A brand, in turn, is a general designation by which the products of a particular company are known in the market. The country of its origin does not always coincide with the actual place of production of the product: to reduce the cost of production, many modern companies transfer it to other countries. It is quite normal for products, for example, of an American or German brand, to be made in Taiwan or Turkey. Contrary to popular belief, this in itself does not lead to a decrease in the quality of the goods — it all depends on how carefully the brand owner controls the production. And many companies, especially large and famous ones, monitor the quality very zealously — after all, their reputation depends on it.
Insulation class
The heat resistance class of the insulating materials used in the construction of the pump. The higher the heat resistance — the more reliable the device, the less likely it is to ignite or break the insulation in case of overload or overheating. In addition, powerful performant units can become very hot even in normal operations.
In modern pumps, mainly the following classes of insulation are found:
— B. Materials with a heating limit of 130 °C. They are the most modest option by the standards of pumps. Use binding and impregnating compositions of organic origin.
— F. For this class, the heating limit is 155 °C — the average for pumps. Such insulation uses mainly synthetic binders.
— H. Insulating materials based on organosilicon binders/impregnators. Due to this, their heat resistance reaches 180 °C.