Updated ANSI/HI standard improves submersible pump acceptance testing

The Hydraulic Institute (HI) has updated the 2001 edition of the ANSI/HI standard on submersible pump tests and published ANSI/HI 11.6 – 2012 Rotodynamic Submersible Pumps for Hydraulic Performance, Hydrostatic Pressure, Mechanical, and Electrical Acceptance Tests.  The updated standard applies to customer acceptance testing of submersible pumps driven by induction motors, unless otherwise agreed or specified.

ANSI/HI 11.6 – 2012 provides uniform procedures for performance, hydrostatic, net positive suction head required (NPSHR), submersible motor integrity, and vibration testing of submersible pumps; and data recording and reporting of the test results. It is intended to define test procedures that may be invoked by contractual agreement between a buyer and manufacturer. It is not intended to define a manufacturer’s standard practice.
 
A submersible pump is defined as a close-coupled pump/motor unit designed to operate submerged in the pumped liquid.  This definition includes submersible pumps operating in either a wet-pit or dry-pit environment.  A standard test measures pump performance from suction flange to discharge flange and electrical input power.  It does not include accessory items, such as discharge elbows, suction fittings, or valves, unless specified by a contractual agreement.

The following submersible pump designs are covered in the 2012 edition of the standard:

·         Semi-permanent/pull-up/wet-pit types

·         Dry-pit/dry-installed types                                         

·         Portable/flexible discharge types

·         Chopper/cutter/grinder types

·         Close-coupled types

·         Integral electric motor types
 
Information in the standard may be applied to pumps of any size and to any pumped liquids behaving as clean cold water. This standard does not deal with the structural details of the pump or with the mechanical properties of their components.

Hydraulic Institute- www.Pumps.org