Help reading pump curves please

[Deleted User]

Norm, get John Siegenthalers Hydronics Pro software. Its available at www.hydronicpros.com

With this software, you can model numeorous parallel loops of varying base board lengths and outputs and varying loop length. You can then drop a circulator into the mix using his drop down menu to see "what if".

As for your verbage, you have to cover the circuit with the highest pressure drop, and not the addition of the head from all of the circuits. You do however add up the total GPM requirements of all circuits.

Note I said circuit with the highest pressure drop. Generally speaking, if you can cover the highest pressure drop circuit, whcih is not always the longest circuit, and at that feet of head, carry all of the GPM requirements of all zones, then you should be good to go.

But as I said, why guess. Spend the money on Siggys Simulation sfotware. It's a one of a kind tool.

Heres a screen shot of that portion of the software.EDIT: Wall is having some minor technical issues right now with attachements. Will try again later. ME

ME

Unknown

I consider myself a good heating guy, looking to become a great heating guy. Specificly to become "That guy"

I normally deal with loop baseboard heating systems, pipe my 3/4 copper zones with zone valves and a pressure differential bypass valve using one taco 007 circulator.

Id like to learn more about sizing pumps properly and reading pump curves. So here are my questions...

1) Assuming the largest flow rate for the pipe the circulator is servicing I go up from the horizontal line on the chart looking for feet of head. Now allowing 6' per every 100' pipe run I find the spot on the chart and whatever pump is closest to that spot is the pump I choose.

Is the feet of head for the longest run on the manifold?
or
Is that that total for all the zones? As if I had 4 zones calling at the same time, the circulator would be able to push through the friction loss of all the zones?

2) I notice that the higher head side of the charts are all on the lower flow rate end. What kinds of residential/light commercial applications call for a high head/slow flow rate?

Thanks for your help.

hot_rod

Not that simple

if you get the chance attend a Grundfos, Wilo, Taco any pump specfic class.Time well spent.

It is possible to find both a high head and a low head curve cross at the same point on the curve. Depending on the application one will usually be better suited.

Also system overlay's are a great tool to learn to use. It will show exactly where on the curve a certain pump will run, once you input the system data.

The head requirement is based on the most restrictive zone, not an addition of all the zones. Flow rate, or gpm would be the total load you need to move. Find this info on your heat load and design "bottom line"

hot rod

[Deleted User]

Better'n Butter...

Norm, get John Siegenthalers Hydronics Pro software. Its available at www.hydronicpros.com

With this software, you can model numeorous parallel loops of varying base board lengths and outputs and varying loop length. You can then drop a circulator into the mix using his drop down menu to see "what if".

As for your verbage, you have to cover the circuit with the highest pressure drop, and not the addition of the head from all of the circuits. You do however add up the total GPM requirements of all circuits.

Note I said circuit with the highest pressure drop. Generally speaking, if you can cover the highest pressure drop circuit, whcih is not always the longest circuit, and at that feet of head, carry all of the GPM requirements of all zones, then you should be good to go.

But as I said, why guess. Spend the money on Siggys Simulation sfotware. It's a one of a kind tool.

Heres a screen shot of that portion of the software.

ME