Understand the operating status of the water pump: judge whether it is normal based on sound, vibration and water flow

Understand the operating status of the water pump: judge whether it is normal based on sound, vibration and water flow

The water pump is the heart of the irrigation system. Learn to judge its operating status through simple senses, just like an old Chinese medicine doctor diagnosing patients through "look, smell, ask, and feel." You don't need professional tools, just pay attention to the three aspects of sound, vibration and water flow to quickly understand whether the water pump is "healthy" and detect abnormal signs in time.

1. Listen to its sound: the operating sound is the “first alarm”

The basis is to be familiar with the smooth and even "buzzing" sound of the water pump when it is operating normally. Any departure from this tone is worthy of attention.

Normal sound: Smooth and continuous, like a low buzzer, without sharp or intermittent noise. The sound level changes smoothly with the load (water output).

Unusual sounds to be wary of:

Sharp metal friction or whistling sound: It usually means that the bearings in the pump are seriously worn, there is a lack of oil, or the impeller and the pump casing are scratched. This is a sure sign of mechanical wear and tear.

There is a dull "buzzing" sound, and it cannot start or is difficult to start (especially for three-phase electric water pumps): It is most likely that the power supply is "lack of phase" (one of the three live wires is out of power). The machine must be stopped immediately to check the circuit, otherwise the motor may burn out within a few minutes.

Irregular knocking or "clicking" sounds: It may be that foreign objects (such as stones and debris) have entered the impeller cavity and been hit repeatedly; or internal parts may be loose or broken.

Cavitation sound (like stones flowing through the pump body): It sounds like sand and stones are rolling in the pump. This is usually because the water pump is "empty" or the water inlet pipe is leaking, causing part of the air and water mixture to be squeezed and exploded at high speed in the pump. This can cause severe damage to the impeller and pump casing.

2. Feel the vibration: touch the vibration to feel the "smoothness"

It is normal for the water pump to vibrate slightly and evenly when it is running. Abnormal vibrations are often a precursor to problems.

Normal vibration: The hand feels a continuous and uniform slight numbness, and the body is stable.

Abnormal vibrations to be wary of:

Violent and irregular shaking: First check whether the anchor bolts are seriously loose. If it is not an installation problem, the impeller may be unbalanced due to wear or corrosion, or the pump shaft may be bent due to wear.

Vibration increases significantly, accompanied by abnormal noise: This is usually a combination of mechanical failures, such as damaged bearings, loose impellers, or poor coupling alignment.

Periodic or intermittent strong shaking: It may be related to the "empty suction" phenomenon, that is, the water pump sometimes contains water and sometimes takes in air, causing severe load fluctuations.

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

3. Watch the flow: the water discharge status is the "final report card"

The state of water flow directly reflects the working efficiency of the water pump.

Normal water flow: The water output is sufficient and stable, the water column is full, and the pressure (judged by the nozzle range or feel) is as expected and stable.

Abnormal water flow to be wary of:

The water volume is significantly reduced or intermittent: first check whether the water inlet filter or bottom valve is blocked and whether the water source is sufficient. It may also be that the impeller is worn or clogged, or the sealing ring is worn, causing serious internal leakage.

The water outlet pressure is insufficient and cannot reach the previous height or range: when the pipeline is blocked and the valve is not fully opened, it is usually the performance of the pump that has declined for the same reason as above (impeller wear, seal leakage, etc.).

The outlet water contains a large amount of air, and the water column is white and unstable: This is a clear indication of air leakage in the water inlet pipe or interface, or the water level in the water source is too low, causing the water pump to suck in air.

The water pump is running but does not produce water at all: In addition to the above reasons for blockage and air leakage, it may be that the air in the pump is not exhausted (for pumps that need to be filled with water), or the motor direction is wrong (for newly installed or repaired three-phase pumps).

Comprehensive judgment and action suggestions

When you find an exception, you can follow this process:

Immediate correlation: combine the abnormal phenomena of sound, vibration and water flow to see. For example, "sharp sound + severe vibration" is most likely a bearing problem; "no water coming out + cavitation sound" points to air leakage or air suction.

Check simple external causes first: After a power outage, give priority to checking external links such as power supply, water source level, water inlet and outlet valves, pipe interfaces and filters. These are common and easy to solve problems.

Do not run while sick: If the abnormality persists, especially if there is abnormal noise, severe vibration or the motor is overheated, stop the machine immediately. Forced operation can turn a minor ailment into a serious one, causing more expensive damage.

Seek professional help: For internal faults that involve disassembly of the pump body (such as impeller, bearing, sealing problems), it is recommended to contact a professional for maintenance.

In summary, a healthy running water pump should have: smooth sound without abnormal noise, slight vibration without sloshing, sufficient water flow and strong pressure. By developing the habit of regular inspections by "listening, touching and looking", you can become the "health doctor" of your own water pump, ensuring that it is running smoothly every irrigation season.