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What is a submersible pump and what is it used for?

What is a submersible pump and what is it used for?
Categories: submersible-pump

Of all the different water pumps, the submersible pump is one that is most commonly used. The article on this page will provide you with information about what a submersible pump is and when it can be used, as well as how to find the most suitable water pump for your situation.

The submersible pump: a brief introduction

The submersible pump is sometimes called a bell pump and is fully immersed in water to be extracted. These pumps are used in situations that involve flooding, such as rising groundwater in cellars or basements, flooded boats, or flooded areas. 

Submersible pumps come in different models, and they distinguish themselves mainly in terms of the water that needs to be pumped, for example, clean-water submersible pumps,  which are used for rainwater. Other models are dirty-water or wastewater submersible pumps that are able to process water that contains sand, soil, and residue, or heavy-duty models that can process even coarser materials such as large solid particles. The impeller at the bottom of the pump processes solid particles by cutting them up so that they can be easily drained.

Submersible pumps are supplied with or without a float, though a float is handy if the pump needs to switch on or off automatically. If a space has to be drained completely dry, this will need to be done manually. The pump has to be switched off in time to prevent it from running dry. Some models are fitted with both a manual and an automatic mode (float switch).

What is the submersible pump used for?

The submersible pump is used for draining water: for example, for reducing groundwater, pumping groundwater to be used as drinking or fire-fighting water, pumping dirty water, and draining wastewater.

If you have a swimming pool in your garden, this pump can be used for draining it if you want to reduce the water level or add clean water. If you are dealing with a flooded cellar, for example due to leakage, this pump can be used to drain the water.

How does a submersible pump work?

The pump has a suction grid fitted to the bottom, through which water is drawn directly into the pump. The water is then transferred through the pump body to the delivery connection, through which the water can leave the pump. The delivery connection has a discharge hose or tube attached to it so that the water can be drained. The pump can be partly or completely immersed in water because it cools itself with the water it pumps. As a result, running dry can damage a submersible pump. This is why no submersible pump is capable of draining a surface completely dry in automatic mode (using a float), but some models are able to do so in manual mode. They drain to the point that just a few drops need to be mopped up. In principle, it is the most simple model in this category of water pumps. The hose is screwed onto the pump, the plug is inserted into the socket, and the pump does its job, or starts as soon as the float is activated.

What type of submersible pump should I buy?

There are different types of submersible pumps that can easily be tailored to the type of water/fluids needing to be pumped. Situations may arise that make draining water difficult, but there is usually a solution. For example, if a space needs to be drained completely dry, a submersible puddle pump is perfect for the job. Sometimes these spaces are very limited in terms of size, and therefore special internal floats/float switches have been developed so that the pump can continue operating automatically. These pumps have also been kept small in size so that they can be placed in a sump pit.

Another specific model in this range is the FEKA submersible pump. They are often used on farms for draining faecal matter, and there are many additional solutions for problems involving these situations. Because faecal matter contains caustic substances that may affect the pump and its rubber seals, these special submersible pumps are fully protected against these substances.

Buying a submersible pump: four tips

If you are looking for a submersible pump and want to make sure it is worth the investment,  the following four tips may come in handy for determining the best model:

Tip 1: Check pump capacity. One pump may have a capacity of 7,500 litres per hour, while another one is able to process 18,000 litres per hour. Ask yourself what capacity you require, and look for a pump with this capacity. 

Tip 2: Check the delivery head. The delivery head refers to the maximum height at which a pump can raise water.  Some pumps have a delivery head of eight metres, while others have one of five metres. Check again what you need, and find a pump that meets your requirements.

Tip 3: Consider whether the pump needs to switch on and off automatically. This is done with a float. In automatic mode, pumps are not capable of pumping a surface completely dry. This is only possible in manual mode, and you need to switch it off in time.

Tip 4: Check which accessories are supplied with the pump. Some pumps are more user friendly than others, simply because they come with more accessories. If you consider ease of handling very important, we advise you to check which accessories are standard with the pump.

With the above tips in mind, you will definitely find the submersible pump most suitable for your needs.