Common Troubleshooting: Identifying Problem Causes and Solutions

Common Troubleshooting: Identifying Problem Causes and Solutions

When a water pump fails, quickly and accurately identifying the cause of the problem and taking the correct solution is the key to restoring operation. The following provides clear identification and solution ideas for some of the most common faults.

1. Failure: The water pump does not produce water at all or the water volume is extremely small.

Key points for identification: After starting, no water flows out of the water outlet or the water flow is weak.

Main reasons and solution steps:

Check the power supply: Make sure the power switch and plug are normal and the voltage is stable. For three-phase motors, check for "missing phases" (no power in one phase), which can cause the motor to be weak or unable to start.

Check the water source and water absorption conditions: Make sure the water source is sufficient and the water inlet pipe is completely immersed in the water. Is the water level too low causing the water pump to "suck empty"? Check whether the actual suction lift exceeds the pump capacity.

Check whether the pump is filled with water: For centrifugal pumps that need to be filled with water, check whether the pump chamber is filled with water and drained of air? Refill with water and exhaust.

Check the water inlet channel: stop the machine immediately and cut off the power, check and clean the filter screen, bottom valve or pipe of the water suction inlet, and remove any blocked debris.

Check the impeller and steering: the impeller may be worn, clogged or fallen off after long-term use. For newly installed or repaired three-phase pumps, check whether the motor rotation is correct (reverse rotation will cause no water discharge).

2. Failure: The water pump discharges contains a large amount of air and is intermittent.

Key points for identification: The water column is white, with bubbles, and the water output is unstable.

Main reasons and solution steps:

Focus on checking the water inlet pipe: This is almost always due to a leak in the water inlet pipe or joint. Carefully check every joint, flange, and especially the hose section from the water source to the pump inlet to see if there are any cracks, looseness, or loose seals.

Check the water level of the water source: Is the water level too low, causing the water inlet to be exposed to the water intermittently and suck in air?

3. Failure: The water pump makes abnormal noise or vibrates violently during operation.

Key points for identification: the operating sound is harsh, dull or irregular, and the fuselage is obviously shaking.

Main reasons and solution steps:

Check the fixation: first check whether the anchor bolts and pump body connecting bolts are loose? This is the most common and easily overlooked reason.

Check whether there is "empty air" or air intake: Check the water inlet pipe according to the second point above.

Check the internal mechanical condition: manually turn the pump shaft (after power off) and feel if there is any sticking, friction or looseness. This could be a damaged bearing, a loose impeller, a bent pump shaft, or foreign matter entering the pump chamber. This type of internal failure usually requires professional repair.

4. Failure: Motor overheats or frequently starts and stops automatically

Key points for identification: The motor shell is extremely hot, or the supporting protection switch trips frequently.

Main reasons and solution steps:

Check the heat dissipation: Are the motor vents blocked by debris or dust? Make sure there is good air circulation around it.

Check the voltage: Is the voltage too low or too high? (Need to use a multimeter to measure)

Check the load: Is it overloaded for a long time? Is it because the actual head is much lower than the rated head of the pump, resulting in excessive flow and overloading? You can try to close the water outlet valve appropriately.

Check the control system: For automatic water supply systems, check whether the air bag in the pressure tank is ruptured and whether the pressure switch setting is reasonable.

5. Failure: Water pump leaks seriously

Key points for identification: There are continuous water drops or streams of water at the seal of the pump body.

Main reasons and solution steps:

Check mechanical seal or packing: this is the most common cause. The seal fails due to wear and aging, and it is necessary to replace it with a new mechanical seal or tighten/replace the packing.

Check the connections: Check and tighten the bolts at each connection of the pump body, and replace the aging sealing gaskets.

General troubleshooting procedures and safety tips

Safety first: any inspection and operation must be carried out after complete power outage.

From the outside to the inside, from simple to complex: first check the external and simple links such as power supply, water source, filter, pipeline, valve, etc., and then consider the internal problems of the pump body.

Make accurate judgments and avoid reckless actions: make comprehensive judgments based on the phenomena. For internal and complex mechanical or electrical faults (such as burning smell, abnormal bearing noise), it is not recommended for non-professionals to disassemble it by themselves, and professional maintenance should be contacted.

Keep good records: Record the fault phenomenon, inspections and attempts that have been made so that you can clearly describe it to the maintenance personnel.

In summary, when faced with a water pump failure, stay calm and follow the process of "cut off power → observe → troubleshoot from outside to inside → handle simple problems by yourself → seek professional help for complex problems", you will be able to solve the problem efficiently and safely and get the equipment back to normal as soon as possible.