How to Calculate Friction Loss in Pipe (With Worked Examples)
Friction loss quantifies the pressure drop caused by fluid friction in a pipe and is essential for accurate pump selection and system design. This…
PumpCalcs reference library
Author: John C. Wilcox
86 resources
Methods · worked examples · references
Pump Commissioning and Start-Up: A Step-by-Step Procedure
This article provides a standards‑based, step‑by‑step guide for pump commissioning and start‑up. It covers NPSH calculations, performance verification, safety considerations, and practical tips to…
How to Read a Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve graphically relates flow rate to head, power, efficiency, and NPSH required. Learning to read these curves is essential for selecting…
Self-Priming Pumps: How They Work and When You Need One
Self‑priming pumps can lift liquid from a dry suction condition without external boosters. This article explains the hydraulic principle, key design equations, typical performance…
Fire Pump Basics: Ratings, Curves, and What NFPA 20 Requires
A fire pump must deliver the flow and pressure demanded by the fire‑protection system while meeting NFPA 20’s stringent reliability and testing standards. This article…
Air Entrainment vs Cavitation: How to Tell the Difference
Air entrainment and cavitation are distinct phenomena that can both degrade pump performance, yet they have different causes and signatures. This article explains the…
Motor Enclosures, Insulation Class, and IP Ratings for Pump Applications
A thorough guide to motor enclosures, insulation classes, and IP ratings that affect pump reliability and safety. Learn the standards, key facts, selection methods,…
Water Hammer: How to Calculate Surge Pressure and Control It
Water hammer is a rapid pressure surge caused by sudden changes in fluid velocity. This article explains the Joukowsky equation, walks through US and…
Head vs Pressure: Why Pumps Are Rated in Feet Instead of PSI
Pump manufacturers express performance in feet of head because head directly represents the energy added to the fluid per unit weight, independent of fluid…
Pump Not Pumping? A Step-by-Step Diagnostic Sequence
When a pump fails to develop the expected flow, a systematic diagnostic sequence quickly isolates the cause and prevents equipment damage. This article presents…