Judgment of water pump operating status: identification of working status through sound and vibration

Judgment of water pump operating status: identification of working status through sound and vibration

When the water pump is running, its sound and vibration are like its "language" and "pulse", which directly reflect the internal working status. Learn to listen and sense, and you can make a preliminary and quick judgment about the health of your device without disassembling it.

1. Diagnosis of diseases by listening to sounds: running sound is a “barometer of health”

Familiarity with the low, even "buzzing" sound of a water pump when it is running smoothly is the basis. Any deviation from this tone may signal trouble.

A sharp grinding or whistling sound:

Possible reasons: The bearing is seriously short of oil, worn or damaged; friction occurs between the impeller and the pump casing (orifice ring).

Status judgment: This is a clear alarm for dry grinding or interference of mechanical parts, usually accompanied by an increase in temperature. It is necessary to stop the machine for inspection as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Dull "buzzing" sound, and it is difficult or impossible to start (especially three-phase motors):

Possible cause: "Lack of phase" in the power supply (one of the three live wires is dead).

Status judgment: Very dangerous! The motor is in single-phase operation, the output is seriously insufficient and the current increases sharply, and it will overheat and burn out in a short time. The power must be cut off immediately and the power supply lines must be checked.

Irregular banging or "clicking" sounds:

Possible reasons: Solid debris (such as stones, screws) entered the pump cavity and was repeatedly hit by the impeller; or internal parts (such as impeller, bushing) became loose or broken.

Status judgment: There are foreign objects inside or structural damage, which will quickly destroy the balance and sealing of the pump.

"Boom" or cavitation sound like rolling stones:

Possible reasons: The water pump is "empty" or the water inlet pipeline is seriously leaking, causing the mixture of water and air to be violently compressed and exploded in the pump.

Status judgment: Not only is the efficiency extremely low, but bubble bursting will continue to erode the impeller and pump casing like countless small hammers, causing great damage to the equipment.

2. Identify diseases by sensing vibration: Abnormal vibration is a "fault early warning device"

The water pump will vibrate slightly and evenly during normal operation. Problems have often manifested themselves when vibrations become severe or irregular.

Violent and irregular shaking:

Possible reasons: First check whether the anchor bolts are seriously loose. If the bolts are tight, the impeller may be severely worn or unbalanced due to corrosion, or the pump shaft may be bent due to wear or impact.

Status judgment: The mechanical balance has been destroyed, the operation is extremely unstable, and the machine must be shut down for maintenance.

The vibration increases significantly and is accompanied by abnormal noise:

Possible causes: Usually a combination of mechanical failure such as damaged bearings, loose impeller, or poor coupling alignment.

Status judgment: This is a comprehensive manifestation of component wear or damage entering a serious stage.

Periodic or intermittent strong jitter:

Possible reasons: closely related to the "empty suction" phenomenon. The water pump sometimes contains water and sometimes takes in air, causing severe load fluctuations.

Status judgment: The liquid supply is unstable, and the water source level and water inlet pipeline sealing need to be checked immediately.

Safety tip: When checking vibration by touch, please quickly touch the motor or pump shell with the back of your hand (to prevent leakage), and be careful to avoid high temperature areas.

3. Comprehensive diagnosis and action suggestions

When an abnormality is found, please act as follows:

Correlation analysis: Combine sound and vibration abnormalities to determine. For example, "sharp sound + severe vibration" is most likely a bearing problem; "cavitation sound + intermittent shaking" points to air suction or air leakage.

Check externally first: stop the machine immediately and cut off the power, and give priority to simple external reasons such as power supply, water source level, water inlet pipes and joints, and whether the filter is clogged.

Internal fault: If external causes are eliminated, the problem may lie inside the pump body (impeller, bearings, shaft, etc.). At this time, it is not recommended that non-professionals dismantle it by themselves, and should contact professional maintenance.

In summary, a healthy water pump should have a smooth sound with no abnormal noise, slight vibration and no shaking. By developing the habit of "listening for a second and touching for a second" during inspections, you can be like an experienced doctor, detecting and intervening in time at the beginning of "minor problems" in the water pump, thereby avoiding greater failures and losses and ensuring long-term stable operation of the irrigation system.