What causes a mechanical seal to fail on a pump?

Choked flow causes recirculation within the pump, which generates heat and promotes a seal failure. Dry Running & Improper Venting of Seal: A vertical pump is the most susceptible since the mechanical seal is positioned on top. If you have improper venting, air can get trapped around the seal and won’t be able to evacuate the stuffing box.

What causes water to leak from a centrifugal shaft?

Usually a “lantern ring” allows flush water to be applied to the packing. That water, necessary to lubricate and cool the shaft, will leak either into the process or into the atmosphere.

What causes a centrifugal pump to go dead headed?

Insufficient Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH): If you don’t have enough suction head to your pump, the rotating assembly can become unstable, cause cavitation, and result in a seal failure. Operating Dead-Headed: If you set the control valve too low to throttle the pump, you can choke the flow.

Can a dry run cause a mechanical seal to leak?

Dry Running & Improper Venting of Seal: A vertical pump is the most susceptible since the mechanical seal is positioned on top. If you have improper venting, air can get trapped around the seal and won’t be able to evacuate the stuffing box.

What to do if your sump pump switch fails?

If the cause of the switch failure is purely mechanical, the solution is often as easy as cleaning the basin and repositioning the sump pump so that the float can move freely. Therefore, it’s often a good idea to start diagnosing the problem by checking the switch.

What causes a submersible pump to stop working?

This scenario often occurs when a submersible pump, for some reason, shifts from its original position inside the sump basin. The lack of proper maintenance can lead to debris accumulation in the basin that sometimes can prevent the free movement of the float, thus the smooth operation of the switch.