Diaphragm Pump Installation Tips

When installing a pneumatic diaphragm pump, anyone who is not familiar with pumps and pump installations will often make small mistakes that result in costly damages.

Here are some useful tips that will save you having to learn the hard way.
1) The diaphragm pump must be mounted onto a rigid baseplate.
2) The suction port size must never be reduced.
3) The suction pipe or hose must never be smaller than the suction port size.
4) The suction pipe or hose must be as short as possible and preferably never more than 5 meters
5) The discharge pipe can be reduced subject to design requirements within reason.
6) The pump must have a dedicated air filter/regulator installed.
7) The air pressure must be regulated to 2 bar on the first startup, especially if the pump is fitted with TEFLON diaphragms.
8) A cycle speed of 60 to 70 cycles per minute is ideal for long life and a low cost of ownership.

When receiving the pump, if it was not ordered with a rigid baseplate, make sure the unit is bolted down onto a baseplate to secure the unit. Pumps are often not bolted onto anything, the very nature of the diaphragm pump is that it moves with the cycling of the diaphragm, That movement on concrete will eventually wear the pump feet down resulting in costly spare part purchases.

The suction port size must never be reduced.
For example, a 1″ pump will have a 1″ suction and discharge port, the suction port must never be reduced to a 3/4″ or 1/2″ because that is the size pipe or hose you have on hand.
Install a 1″ hose or pipe fitting onto that port, never go smaller.