Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Dry Running Circulators

Options
Stokehold
Stokehold Member Posts: 43
in THE MAIN WALL
In checking a system with compressed air prior to filling with water, I notice that the circulators will spin. Will dry running for this short duration cause any problems for these water lubricated pumps? Should the air be released slowly or can a valve be opened full. It seems to me that if you let the air out too quick, the pumps will spin very quickly.
Also, if a similar system is flushed will domestic water at 60 lb.PSI, will this cause any problems spinning a low volume pump?


Comments

  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,569
    Options
    I do not believe you will damage the circulators with the proceedure you describe.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,143
    Options
    Seems like the pump would only spin if you are flowing across it?

    If you are doing a static air test how is the pump spinning unless there is a sizable leak of air downstream?

    if the system is all piped you should be able to isolate pumps with valves and still pressurize the entire system from one point, like the boiler or expansion connection?

    I believe fluid needs to be in the pump cartridge to lubricate the bushings.

    Cavitation caused vapor pockets in a pump will cause bearing or bushing damage rather quickly.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Dave H_2
    Dave H_2 Member Posts: 556
    Options
    No, with the two situations you are describing.
    1. Short amount of time and
    2. they are not powered and running, just the air flow in the system is turning the impeller.

    When we manufacture a circ and test before painting, they are all test run dry for at least 90 seconds with no affects. The speed of your circs with air flowing across is not the same speed as when they are powered (3450rpm).

    Enjoy
    Dave H
    ZmanRobert O'Brienlchmb

Categories