Any design, even the most modern, may fail and start working incorrectly. Problems related to broadly understood functioning include, among others: heating installations using circulation pumps. It happens that disturbing symptoms are visible at first glance, so we can take quick preventive and corrective actions. What symptoms are we talking about? What symptoms should you pay special attention to? What should worry us? And what are the most common causes of incorrect operation of the circulation pump? We answer these and other questions in our article.
Disturbing symptoms - what to look out for?
Improper operation of the circulation pump may cause numerous symptoms. Our attention should be drawn primarily to unusual sound effects, such as noises reminiscent of hammer tapping, the occurrence of which is usually associated with pressure surges and mass inertia. The general increase in noise level caused by the operation of the circulation pump may also be disturbing.
Another symptom is severe heating circulation pump, especially its engine, and insufficient cooling of the most important elements of the entire installation. Other disturbing symptoms include a general deterioration in the operation of the installation, higher electricity consumption, underheating of the rooms (especially if the outside temperature is below zero), emergency shutdown of the pump, and overall failure of the heating device.
Incorrect operation of the circulation pump - the most common causes
There can be many reasons for incorrect operation of the circulation pump. One of them is overheating caused by:
- voltage too low or too high,
- three-phase current instability,
- insulation resistance losses,
- high ambient temperature,
- lack of ventilation,
- excessive turnover,
- too low or too high flows,
- increased friction in a mechanically damaged pump,
- high viscosity of the liquid or its high density.
Incorrect connection of individual pump elements, especially its sensors, should also be taken into account. The most common causes of failure also include: breakage or loosening of the rotor, damage to the bearing or seal, damage to the drive wheel and narrowing of the cross-section caused by corrosion or sealing agent.
Other causes also include:
- damaged drive sprocket, loose drive sprocket ring: too much timing belt tension, incorrect belt setting, cracked water pump bearing (bearing cage),
- coolant leak caused by applying too much sealant,
- corrosion in the entire cooling system, especially damage to the cylinder head gasket,
- serious damage to pump components, such as the impeller or body,
- excessive leakage of coolant from the drain hole, caused by corrosion in the cooling system.
