Borehole Pumps

Borehole Pumps

August 15, 2024

Borehole pumps are a class of submersible pumps for lifting water from great bore depths. Steadypoint Engineering is a premier distributor and repairer of premium submersible pumps including Grundfos, Lowara and Pedrollo. Our range of high quality pumps will meet the needs, challenges and requirements of virtually every industry.

PVC Borehole Pipes

How to choose a borehole pump

An expert from Steadypoint Engineering will be happy to help you select the right pump for your application. You can always contact us for a free consultation and quote. We will base the selection on the points below, among other things

Depth of the source:

It is entirely important to know how deep the water is in the well, the water level. A borehole pump cannot withstand running dry and it is therefore important that there is always sufficient water supply for the pump in the well.

Head of the pump:

It is important to know from how deep the water should be pumped, and also how much pressure is required to pump the medium further. This head can often be calculated when you know the point of delivery where the medium is needed or the piping system.

Capacity of the pump:

How many liters /cubic meter is required per second, minute, hour? What capacity should the pump deliver. This question is often asked together with the head of the pump and is also referred to as the flow rate of the pump.

Typical Borehole Equipment

First and the heart of the equipment is a complete pump set (a coupled wet-end and the submersible motor). Second is the purchase of separate products (accessories), which in combination also ensures its function. These accessories include column pipes, borehole cover head, submersible cable and the switching unit. Although borehole pumps have an integrated check valve, it is also necessary to install a check valve on the borehole head so that when the pump goes off, the water head already in the pipeline does not back-flow and damage the pump with its pressure (water hammer).

Can Borehole Pumps be Used in a Well?

Yes. Borehole pumps can be placed vertically or horizontally. For a well, it is advisable to include a cooling sleeve, a special device in a shape of a tube which function is to cover and ensure flow around the pump. It is practically an imitation of a borehole. Cooling sleeve ensures water swirls around the pump to ensure its proper cooling. If a submersible pump is placed in standing water, it may overheat and cause irreversible damage.

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Booster Pumps

Booster Pumps

August 15, 2024

Pressure booster pumps adjusts water pressure to specific requirements in domestic or industrial applications. These pumps increase the pressure or head of the liquid in the main pipeline that the main duty pump or gravity cannot achieve. They come in different sizes in wattage (Kw)/Horsepower (hp) and the pumping head (m). Booster pumps are of single or three phase depending on the power available on site.

Booster Pumps

Years of experience in the filed has taught us that no two pumping problems are the same. We are a team of design experts who asses your needs to design the most viable solution for your applications. Our team can also interpret drafts made by other engineers to develop a finished product or project more efficiently.

How To Automate a Booster Pump

Depending on the application requirements, there are different switching units that control and in some cases regulate the operation of the pump. They come in three different varieties; pressure switch, float switch and flow switch. These devices not only ensure correct pump operation but also extends pumps lifespan, prevents dry running and also saves the pumps energy requirements.

Pressure Vessels

Switching Unit combining Pressure and Flow Switch

This switch is a combination of a flow and pressure sensor. Upon opening a tap, the pressure drops first and the switch turns on the pump. When the tap closes, the second sensor detects a stop in the flow and switches off the pump before the pressure in the system rises.

Pressure switching Units

Pressure switches work in combination with a pressure vessel. They switch on the pump so that pressure in the vessel remains within the set range. During water intake pressure drops, the switch detects it and switches on the pump. 

Pressure Switch

When the water draw-off is finished, the pump runs until the pressure in the tank reaches the set cut out value again. After opening the tap, water starts to flow, but the pump does not start again until the cut in pressure is reached.

Float switching unit

For dry running protection, float switching unit switches off the pump once the point of delivery is full. They can be incorporated in the control panel either as low level sensor or as high level sensor.

Float Switch

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PVC Borehole Pipes

PVC Borehole Pipes

August 15, 2024

PVC borehole pipes are crucial components in the process of a borehole infrastructure. These pipes are made up of a high-quality UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride) and the absence of plastic makes it rigid and strong. The strength of uPVC makes it the ideal material for borehole pipes, while its lightweight construction ensures quick installation. uPVC is a highly durable material and resistant to corrosion and rust, making it ideal for use in borehole applications.

Features

As part of borehole installation materials, PVC pipes have desirable features for their applications. They are corrosion-resistant, cost-effective and much more durable as compared to metal pipes. This makes the pipes ideal for use in areas with high humidity or exposure to water. Desirable features that makes uPVC column pipes superior are:-

• Rigid construction and longer life span.
• The best alternative for G.I Pipes and cost effective.
• Ideal for potable water supply.
• Internal and external square threaded spigots ends and rubber gasket for easy, reliable joining and pressure sealing.
• Specially designed square threads are capable of withstanding heavy loads.
• Internal surface of these pipes are very smooth, resulting in very low head loss due to friction as compared to G.1. pipes thereby saving power.
• Borehole pipes are resistant to chemical reactions when used in acidic or alkaline waters.
• Can handle water with maximum temperature up to 45°C.
• These borehole pipes come in 3m Standard length and are of light weight ensuring easy handling and storage.

PVC Borehole Pipes

Borehole Pipes Sizes and Selection

These versatile pipes come in a range of sizes from 1¼” to 3″, making them suitable for any project requiring columns of different height or width. While selecting borehole pipes, it must be ensured that the pump delivery pressure does not exceed the permissible hydrostatic pressure. To begin with, Upvc borehole pipes load withstanding capacity is rated in bars, or kg/cm².

 

In the column, for every 10m above the pump, there is a pressure drop of 1 kg/cm², therefore, while selecting the borehole pipe, ensure that the total load is very well within the recommended ultimate breaking load. Depending on the recommended installation depth, borehole upvc column pipes are categorized into medium, standard and heavy duty.

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Pump Control Panels

Pump Control Panels

August 15, 2024

There are a wide variety of pump control panels. This includes single-phase and three-phase panels, simplex and duplex, all available in a wide variety of voltage and amp ratings. While these panels actuates pumps in one way or another in water-based systems, each is designed to serve a specific purpose.

Pump Control Panels

Steadypoint Engineering can undertake the design and installation of a system for your specific application requirements. This includes a simple single pump, to complex control systems incorporating multiple pumps and instrumentation. We also repair and program control systems and associated equipment, from starter panels to motor control centers.

Operator Interface

An operator interface on a control panel can take different forms, including pushbuttons, switches, indicator lights, digital meters, or human-machine interface (HMI) display. Each of these interfaces can be used on their own or in conjunction, depending on the level of functionality needed.

Submersible Pump Control Panels

All our pumps control panels designs, single phase or three phase have features to protect the pump sets from any faults that might occur. We source our panels components from world leading brands to ensure components combinations that are of high quality, reliable in operation and accuracy in protection.

We ensure the panels protects the motors against:

• dry running
• overload
• over voltage
• incorrect phase sequence
• phase loss or imbalance
• over/under current

Scope

We assemble custom panels for borehole pumps, water treatment plants, automatic fire safety systems, motor starter panels, electrical substations and power factor correction panels. Our technical team model and check each panel in CAD for quality and compliance before assembly.

Our expertise stretches into industrial and commercial, floor standing and wall mounting control panels. All enclosures come standard with a chassis or mounting plate.

The end product is powder coated to withstand weather conditions and has a lock key to prevent unauthorized access.

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Pump Installation and Maintenance

Pump Installation and Maintenance

August 15, 2024

Pump Installation and Commissioning

The long-term performance and operating costs of a pump can significantly be affected by how well it’s been installed and commissioned. Our technicians place all their experience and expertise at your service so that your system operates and runs to peak performance Ours is to ensure your pumping unit is as energy efficient as possible from start-up.

Our experts professionally commission new, upgraded, or repaired equipment and run through on-site testing. This is to ensure that equipment is fully set up, functions as needed, and without compromising on safety. We can also assist in the isolation and removal of redundant equipment where applicable.

Pump Installation and Maintenance 

Products range from booster sets, pumping stations, fire-sets and submersible pumps. Depending on your need, our technical team will guide you in choosing the most reliable, efficient and economical option. Our brands are sourced from world renowned manufacturers, including Grundfos, Lorentz, Ebara, Wilo among others.

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

Pumps are not resistant to wear. Over time, consistent and unchecked wear can ruin a pump’s efficiency and functionality. This pathway eventually leads to failure. Pumps fail as a result of poor installation and/or poor maintenance. The best way to keep a pump operating at its peak throughout its lifespan is with protective and preventive maintenance. Well-maintained equipment lasts longer and requires fewer and less-expensive repairs.

A pumping unit should be installed in a position that is easily accessible for inspection during operation. Our technical team will take you through the pump sizing, to advice you on the most efficient pump for your application. We will also take you through the pump’s maintenance requirements to ensure that the pumps productive lifespan is maintained.

In the event there is a pumping utility breakdown, our technicians will assess the breakdown, write a report and recommend on the best approach of servicing the pump. We stock genuine spares including bearings and impellers from major brands. We also have a state of the art workshop where we perform tests to ensure that the pumps meet the manufacturer’s specifications.

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