Dangers of pump idling
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We often say that pumps should not run idle, but what are the actual hazards of idling?
Idling? No medium? The seal still doesn’t burn, huh?
Take a look at this post on the forum; it explains it very clearly. http://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-1362786-1-1.html
Idling definitely shouldn’t happen. Different types of pumps are damaged in different ways
If it runs idly for a long time, the mechanical seal will burn out, and even the pump may be damaged.
1. When a centrifugal pump is running idle, the impeller does not come into contact with, or only minimally comes into contact with, the fluid, and thus cannot perform work effectively. Since no effective work is done, the load on the motor is very small, and the current generated is also low; therefore, this has little impact on the motor ； 2. Running the pump without load indeed has a fatal impact on it. Pumps running idle are prone to cavitation, which can cause damage to the pump body and the flow-through components ； Whether the pump is running idle with a mechanical seal or a packing seal, it will lack liquid lubrication, resulting in dry friction and thus rapid damage ； The idling pump rotor components and the pump body will heat up; without the cooling effect of liquid, those narrow gaps (such as seal rings) are prone to becoming stuck due to thermal expansion and contraction ； The balance disk of an idling multi-stage centrifugal pump receives no lubrication, and it will soon be burned out and damaged.