Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Biz Solutions

The Effects of Oversizing or Undersizing When Choosing a Pump

Choosing the right pump for industrial or residential applications is one area where choosing the wrong size pump can cause serious issues. This article will go through some of these effects so you can keep them in mind when choosing a pump.

Every engineer worries about being too conservative or not conservative enough when designing a system. Choosing the right pump for industrial or residential applications is one area where choosing the wrong size pump can cause serious issues. This article will go through some of these effects so you can keep them in mind when choosing a pump.

An Oversized Pump Wastes Energy

A pump’s size is directly related to how much energy it uses. A bigger pump has larger and heavier internal parts and also consumes more energy because it’s designed to move a larger volume of fluid in a given period.

Knowing how to choose the right size pump will help you get one that is perfect for your use case while avoiding oversizing. Doing so will save you a lot of money due to the lower energy requirements of the smaller pump.

Oversizing Can Lead to Cavitation

Cavitation occurs when a motor exerts itself so much that bubbles form in the liquid it is trying to pump. The air pockets and bubbles formed can damage the pump if it continues running at a higher speed and pressure than it was designed for.

Cavitation can cause an implosion, with the damage being slight or severe depending on how fast the pump was running and how much cavitation was present.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Right Pump Has a Longer Lifespan

A direct result of the size of a pump is its lifespan. An oversized pump that operates inefficiently is more likely to get damaged, costing you a lot of money in servicing costs. One that is too small has to work harder to pump the fluid if you want it to pump the same volume a bigger one would.

This overexertion leads to tear and wear that directly impacts how long the pump lasts and how efficiently it runs.

The Wrong Pump Might Require Design Changes

A smaller pump has a much slower flow rate. For this reason, you have to use additional pumps or adjust the system to handle a higher flow rate. The latter is typically done by opening a discharge valve or adding one or multiple recirculation lines.

An oversized pump delivers more fluid than needed for your use case or application. You can reduce the flow rate by trimming the impeller or using a throttle valve.

All the options above will cost you money when you redesign the system to accommodate the smaller or larger pump. You might also have losses in revenue when using a smaller pump because your output will be affected.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Let The Manufacturer Help You

If you do not know how to choose the right pump, it is always best to let the manufacturer help you. They will ask you questions, such as how you intend to use the pump, to ensure you get one that operates within its best efficiency point (BEP).

Conclusion

Choosing the right size pump is important if you want one that runs as well as you would like and helps you achieve your manufacturing goals. Ask a manufacturer to help you pick the right one.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

You May Also Like

HEADLINES

Alipay+ Voyager combines Ant International's agentic AI capabilities with the galaxy of cross-border travel services offered by OTA partners and 100 million global merchants...

HEADLINES

Launched in November 2023, the Pro-Digital LOOP Project addresses two critical challenges in the country’s education system: unequal access to technology and increasing online...

HEADLINES

In the first quarter of 2025, 87% of Globe’s total service revenues came from data, up from 85% the previous year—a strong sign that...

HEADLINES

DV Authentic AdVantage combines DV’s verification and optimization capabilities into a single offering, specifically designed to address the challenges of advertising in walled gardens.

MOBILE PRODUCTS

Packed with creator-loved features like built-in 3-axis stabilization, NFC One-Tap Shooting, a sturdy selfie stick and tripod, Deep Track 4.0, Multi-Person Tracking, Active Zoom Tracking, and an extended 10-hour battery life,...

HEADLINES

One of the most pressing challenges federations face is the unauthorized use of data for sports betting and fan engagement purposes. This practice undermines...

HEADLINES

Through its robust Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) fleet and nationwide multimodal logistics network, 2GO is stepping up to address the temporary logistical constraints caused by the...

HEADLINES

As one of BidaBoss’ strategic corporate partners, LBC now operates a dedicated warehouse facility in South Luzon that serves as the platform’s primary distribution...

Advertisement