How do you connect a pump to a motor? Here are FOUR common drive types

In a previous Pump Report Chad discussed the motors used to power pumps. But how do you connect a pump to that motor? And what if you want to run the pump slower than motor speed? In this episode Chad talks about drives and their related equipment. 

The term “drive” is used to describe the ancillary equipment used to mount and power a pump. This includes the motor, which we’d already discussed, but can also include a baseplate, coupling, guard, reducer, and more.

Cutaway of relief valve with parts labeled

Pressure Relief Valves: Critical to Pump and System Safety and Reliability

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A key advantage of rotary positive displacement pumps is providing consistent flow regardless of changes in liquid viscosity or differential pressure. But should a downstream blockage occur, pressure will rapidly build and may exceed the rating of the pump, drive equipment, system, or any combination thereof, with the potential for damage and unplanned downtime. For this reason, overpressure protection must be used, and pressure relief valves are the most commonly used form of overpressure protection for rotary positive displacement pumps.

Pump tag showing direction of flow

Reversing a Gear Pump

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With Viking pumps the answer is usually “yes,” but before you turn that “reverse” switch on your pump’s motor starter or variable frequency drive, there are a number of things to consider, which are discussed here

Can I reverse a pump to change direction of flow?

With Viking pumps the answer is usually “yes,” but before you turn that “reverse” switch on your pump’s motor starter or variable frequency drive, there are a number of things to consider, which are discussed here.

spanner wrenches

7 Essential Tools for Pump Repair

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Like any job, you need the proper tools to do it well – and the same is true for repairing or servicing positive displacement gear pumps. Below are helpful hand tools that Viking's pump experts recommend having ready for… read more.

testing of a pump in viking pump lab

5 Reasons to NOT Settle for Imitators 

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Having a great product, with a great reputation, and being a technology inventor like Viking Pump®, positions you as a market leader with high visibility. As such, other internal gear pump manufacturers naturally want to follow in your footsteps. While that is a huge compliment, it also causes confusion among internal gear pump buyers.

In this article we'll walk through 5 reasons you'll want to stick with genuine Viking Pump parts and products, saving you time, money, and a headache. 

Flanged port

7 Things You Want to Know about Flanged Ports, but are Too Afraid to Ask

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Flange standards used on Viking pumps have been in place for over a century so EVERYONE should be experts on this now…right? It turns out not so much. There are various standards and various design differences in each standard. AND the standards have evolved over the years, leading some to use obsolete terms which only compounds the confusion. The following should help clear up some of this confusion as well as give you a resource to help answer questions for others.

Damaged Rotor close up

PUMP CAVITATION: THE SYMPTOMS, CAUSE, DIAGNOSIS, AND CURE

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Customers don’t ask me to listen to quiet pumps. This is symptom #1 of a cavitating pump. The pump is loud. Descriptors like “growly”, “rumbling”, or “gravelly” are used to describe the atypically loud sound coming from the pump.

“Does it always sound like this?” I ask.

“No, it was fine in the fall, but it’s been loud all winter.”

Ink Pumping Solutions

Inks, especially those used in flexible packaging, are shear-sensitive and can have many variables that may lead to abrasive wear or chemical compatibility concerns. Some of these include the use of solvents, waxes, or surfactants and the possibility of semi-solid resin particles and pigment load concentration. 4624B Series™ pumps are cast iron with abrasive resistant sealing options and low shear capabilities. They have capacities up to 180 gallons per minute. 4127C Series™ pumps are 316 stainless-steel with high viscosity and abrasive resistant sealing options.