IRRIGATION


CONSIDER AESTHETICS, SAFETY AND AVAILABLE POWER SUPPLY WHEN CHOOSING WHERE TO INSTALL A PUMP.


that can take single-phase power in and make three-phase power,” Gurzler says. “Tat’s recommended for commercial customers with a larger pump. Te higher the voltage, the more efficient the motor typically is, and the lower the cost of operation.” It’s also worthwhile to note that while a simple pump


start relay is either on or off, you can set the pressure with a variable frequency drive. “With a variable frequency drive, you set the pressure it


runs at, so if you do oversize the pump, you can still set the pressure you want,” Gurzler says.


CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTALLATION


When it comes to pump installation, there are several fac- tors to take into consideration to provide the right pressure and avoid doing damage to the system. While the designer may envision the pump in one location, and while that lo- cation may logistically make the most sense, that decision may need to be revisited at the job site due to aesthetic concerns.


Gurzler recalls one job where the designer was adamant about the location of the pump, which was supposed to be placed right in front of a beautiful building. Realizing it would be a complete eyesore, Gurzler says he contacted the designer to express his concerns. After several calls back and forth, the designer finally agreed to a change order, because in the end, aesthetics are a very important con- sideration. Safety is another key consideration when choosing the


right location for a pump. “You don’t want people touching the pump,” Gurzler


says. “It has spinning parts, so you have to consider the lo- cation.” Because pumps have to be accessible for service, they


can’t be buried. Tey can’t be in a box below ground level, which could flood, causing damage to the motor. “Typically, it has to have some kind of shroud around


it,” Gurzler says. “Tere will be some kind of enclosure to prevent vandalism, and to keep the sun, rain and snow from damaging the motor.” Sometimes, a pump can be installed and secured inside


a building, protected from curious hands and nature. In that case, it likely doesn’t need a safety cage surrounding it. Te availability of a power source is the last key concern


when choosing where to install a pump. “Sometimes that may not be the biggest consideration in the design, and you have to bring power to the pump,” Gurzler says. In situations where power has been overlooked in the


planning stages, there is still a fix on the back end. But, that fix is often costly. “When the available power isn’t what was part of the


original plan, it negates the pump design,” Gurzler says. “Maybe the site doesn’t have three-phase power but the designer assumed it did. Tat can be a problem. You can install a variable frequency drive at the pump, but the drive has to be sized much larger because the amperage is figured on the lower voltage. It’s an expensive oops. Tere is a large range for the cost of the equipment, but it could be in the thousands of dollars.” Considering the power source from the outset can also


save yourself the hassle of determining who will pay for a costly pump that wasn’t part of the original plan. “Tat situation often leaves the irrigation contractor


and the client trying to decide who is responsible for pay- ing for the pump,” Gurzler says. Once a pump is sized, selected and installed, most of


the hard work is complete. However, Gurzler recommends regular inspections to make sure all parts are in good work- ing order. “You should make sure all electrical and mechanical connections are tight, at least annually,” Gurzler says.


Left: Regular cleaning of the filter keeps your equipment running effectively. Right: Documenting electrical values helps you plan for replacement and shows you where possible issues may arise.


24 Irrigation & Lighting Late Fall 2022


Lauren Sable Freiman is a freelance writer based in Cleveland and can be reached at laurensable@gmail.com.


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