Cavitation in Pumps: Causes, Warning Signs, and How to Prevent It
Cavitation occurs when local pressure in a pump falls below the liquid’s vapor pressure, causing vapor bubbles that implode and damage components. This article…
PumpCalcs reference library
Category: Pump Hydraulics Fundamentals
Core concepts and equations that define pump hydraulic behavior.
22 resources
Methods · worked examples · references
How Viscosity Affects Centrifugal Pump Performance (and When to Derate)
Viscosity reduces a centrifugal pump's flow, head, and efficiency. This article explains the governing equations, shows how to apply viscosity correction factors, and tells…
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…
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…
NPSH Explained: NPSHa vs NPSHr and How to Calculate Both
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) determines whether a centrifugal pump will cavitate. This article clarifies the difference between available NPSH (NPSHa) and required NPSH…
K-Factors and Equivalent Length: Calculating Losses Through Valves and Fittings
K‑factors and equivalent length provide engineers with two practical ways to quantify the head loss introduced by valves, elbows, tees and other pipe fittings.…
Specific Speed and Suction Specific Speed: What They Tell You About a Pump
Specific speed and suction specific speed are dimensionless (or quasi‑dimensionless) indices that classify pump impeller geometry, predict performance curve shape, and quantify suction capability.…
Hydraulic Power vs Brake Horsepower vs Motor Power: The Difference Explained
Hydraulic power, brake horsepower, and motor power describe three distinct stages of energy transfer in a pump system. Understanding their definitions, relationships, and conversion…
Pump Affinity Laws: How Speed and Impeller Diameter Change Flow, Head, and Power
The pump affinity laws are fundamental scaling relationships that predict how centrifugal pump performance changes when rotational speed or impeller diameter is varied. Flow…
Best Efficiency Point (BEP): What It Is and Why Operating Away From It Destroys Pumps
The Best Efficiency Point (BEP) is the flow rate and head at which a centrifugal pump operates with maximum hydraulic efficiency. Sustained operation far…