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Pump Motor Technologies General Manufacturing

Guide to Industrial Pump Maintenance

By OTC Insights Team on December 6, 2022

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OTC Insights Team

Established in 1963, OTC Industrial Technologies is one of the largest industrial distributors & service providers in the United States. We're committed to seeing industrial operations advance through expert technical solutions & unmatched support using our years of experience.

Maintenance on an industrial pump is critical to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency. Pumps are complex machines that require care to keep them running at their best. Without maintenance, you risk pump damage, production downtime, and potentially higher energy costs.

To ensure your industrial pumps are running at optimal capacity and efficiency, it’s important to regularly perform maintenance on them. You need to have a maintenance plan and set up contingencies for any issues that come up.

This guide covers the basic steps needed for pump care, and it will also give you insights and tips that will help you get ahead of any issues before they occur.

Keep in mind, every pump is unique and it’s essential to work with a trusted technical expert to conduct regular reviews in addition to your own maintenance.

How to Create an Industrial Pump Maintenance Plan

Creating a maintenance plan for your industrial pump is vital to ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

With such a large variety of pumps, no maintenance plan can cover every pump configuration or type. Your plan should be tailored to the pump and should include preventative checkups that cover risk points on the pump. Include the recommended frequency of maintenance, the dates when maintenance was performed, and any notes from the work. Most pumps suggest regular maintenance every six months, but more demanding applications may require it more frequently.

Here are a few things you may want to include in your maintenance plan:

  • Assess the durability of the oil drain plug, pump casing, and bolts.
  • Inspect the pump seal.
  • Check for leakage or damage, including air leaks.
  • Lubricate all moving parts.
  • Remove oil and debris from the bearing bracket.
  • Clean the pump and pumping system area.
  • Examine the wear plates.
  • Replace any worn or damaged parts.
  • Test the pump motor for proper voltage and amperage.

By monitoring how your pump performs, you can identify minor issues before they cause a shutdown. During the check, verify each component is functioning correctly, monitor the wear on parts, and see if there was any change from the previous maintenance check.

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All pumps need to be regularly inspected for wear and tear. Additionally, all pumps need to be properly lubricated to prevent damage.

It's important to consult with technical experts in addition to your own maintenance. They may be able to recommend opportunities for improvement or identify potential problems that can be corrected before a break or pump shutdown. Contact OTC with any questions.

Regularly Monitor Your Pump’s Performance

Monitoring your pump’s performance is important to ensure it is running smoothly. Industrial pump monitoring should cover essential process parameters, such as:

  • Flow rate
  • Fluid properties
  • Liquid levels
  • Process pressures
  • Pump power
  • Pump performance
  • Suction pressure

During your monitoring, you should track measures that are outside of the norm, as these can be signs of a problem. Review the pump to identify the root cause of the problem. For example, a flow rate problem could be an issue with the mechanics of the pump, or it could be a block at the pump intake.

Often, there is a simple solution to the problems with your pump; however, it is important not to ignore even a small discrepancy in performance. Even that small discrepancy can quickly escalate to a larger and much more expensive problem.

Make sure to consult with an expert for any issues that don’t have a ready reason or solution.

Contact OTC for Expert Industrial Pump Maintenance

Contact OTC to learn about our selection of industrial pumps, and how we can help you create an industrial pump maintenance plan that works for your pump application.

 

OTC offers a wide variety of industrial pumps to meet your specific needs. We also provide expert maintenance and troubleshooting assistance. Our team of experts can help you create a custom maintenance plan for your industrial pump. Contact us today to learn more!