Can submersible pumps run dry?
“The continued operation after all pumping fluid has been transferred will create a dry run condition inside the pump, leading to damage from this lack of lubrication. Such a situation may also occur during pump-priming, where the pipe system and pump casing have not yet been filled with fluid and the pump runs dry until the priming period is over.
Many submersible pumps s must remain submerged to ensure that the motor is properly cooled. Occasional maintenance to keep the inlet strainer unobstructed is necessary, depending on operating conditions. DO NOT allow a submersible pump to run dry unless it is specifically rated for this.
Some submersible pumps are designed to use water as a coolant, overheating when they run dry and eventually burning out, resulting in mining companies having to incur costly repairs or buy new.
Therefore, a submerged motor should not be run for more than a few seconds without being immersed to prevent over-heating. The point made earlier that a dry pump will over-run and cause damage to the rotating elements (bearings, etc) is also valid.” For more queries, checkout tftpumps.com.
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