Some of the services Filpumps can offer are listed below, please click the relevant one for further information:
Frequently Asked Questions & Basic Procedures
In an effort to deal with common issues our customers come up against, we have compiled basic information below to help overcome some of the more common problems encountered. Please click on the one relevant to your issue:
My water is surging, going fast then slow, then fast, etc what can I do?
My pump is hunting - ie pump is switching on/off too frequently
I've got my water analyis results back - what does it mean?
My water is surging, going fast, then slow, then fast, etc what can I do?
OR My pump is hunting - ie pumps is switching on/off too frequently
For Water Pressure Surging or Pumps Hunting On/Off, it could be that the starting pressure of your pump or your pressure switch may need adjusted, or it may be that the Non-Return Valve on your pump suction line is leaking.
Expansion Vessel Precharge Settings
The precharge pressure of expansion tanks must be set to 0.3 bar less than the starting pressure of the pump.
Example:
To ensure correct maintenance:
The air pressure may be checked using a good quality type pressure gauge on the Schraeder Valve fitted to the top of the expansion vessel, or in the case of horizontal vessels the Schraeder Valve will be fitted to one end.
Check the air precharge pressure of the expansion tank at least every 4 months, with the pump switched off and a tap opened to ensure that the water pressure reading on the gauge is zero bar.
If the pump is used more often this can be established by checking the pressure after a shorter period of time, and if no addition air charge is required, then the frequency may be extended.
Pressure Switch Settings
There are several types of pressure switches used on pressure sets. They may look like this:
Instructions for Adjusting the Pressure Switch
The automatic pressure switch models are provided with a factory setting that is sufficient for most applications and requirements. To set the pressure switch to meet your specific requirement follow the instructions below for the model of pressure switch purchased.
Establish Required Pressure Settings
• Depending on the exact application, and taking into account the static head of the system, decide on the minimum pressure required to start/operate the pump (cut-in pressure).
• Set the expansion vessel precharge pressure to 0.3 bar less than the cut-in pressure. This procedure must be carried out with the pump switched off and the water pressure gauge at zero bar.
• Identify the make of pressure switch supplied with the pump.
Square D (Fixed Differential Pressure Type):
• Turn the nut A clockwise to increase the cut-in pressure or anti-clockwise to decrease the cut-in pressure. This will automatically change the pump stop (or cut-out) pressure as the differential pressure between the two cannot be adjusted.
Telemecanique / Square D - Telemecanique / Italtecnica:
• Turn the nut A clockwise to increase the cut-out pressure or anti-clockwise to decrease the cut-out pressure.
• Turn the nut B clockwise to increase the differential pressure between the cut-in and cut-out pressure. Turn the nut B anti-clockwise to decrease the differential pressure between the cut-in and cut-out pressure.
The pressure switch is supplied with a 1.38 bar (20 psi) differential which will be appropriate for most applications.
I've got my water analysis results back - what does this mean?
Chemical Tests
pH is a measure of the degree to which the water is acidic or alkaline. pH 7 is classed as being neutral with anything below 7 being acidic and anything above that level being alkaline. Most local supplies are slightly acidic with a naturally low pH but the acceptable statutory limits cover a range from pH 6.5 to pH 9.5. As any health implications are limited to waters with extreme pH values compliance with the statutory limit values can be relaxed in certain domestic situations.
Low pH waters will however tend to be corrosive to copper pipework and stain household fittings, and should be avoided. Treatment systems can be installed to adjust the pH of the supply.
Turbidity is an optical property relating to the degree to which suspended particles in the water scatter light. In practical terms it means the extent to which the water appears cloudy or hazy. Highly turbid water is unacceptable to consumers. In Scotland there is a standard for turbidity in drinking water of 4 NTU at consumers’ taps. The standard is primarily an aesthetic one, but high turbidity needs to be investigated and it could mean that the effectiveness of disinfection will be compromised.
Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. Pure water has a low conductivity but the more dissolved ions in the water the higher the conductivity reading.
At higher conductivity levels water may have an unpleasant taste or odour or may even cause stomach upsets. This test is normally used however to indicate possible pollution and a failure or large variation over a number of tests would require further investigation.
Nitrate can occur naturally in water as a result of the oxidation of ammonia and in some areas agricultural fertilisers are the major source of nitrate in private water supplies.
The statutory limit for Nitrate in drinking water is 50mg per litre but high concentrations of nitrate in water can cause methaemoglobinaemia (blue baby syndrome) in very young children. This is an extremely unusual illness, the last recorded case in the UK occurring in the 1950s but water with levels above 50mg/l should not be used for bottle feeding babies.
Treatment systems can be installed to remove nitrate from the supply.
Lead is not normally present in natural waters in this area but may dissolve into the water supply if lead piping is present in plumbing. Lead pipes tend to be found in older properties as its use was discontinued around 1970. Lead is a neurotoxin and exposure to high concentrations of lead over a sustained period can damage health. Children are particularly vulnerable.
The only certain way of reducing exposure to lead is to ensure all lead pipework in a property is removed. In the short term however, if the water has been standing in the pipes for a length of time (such as overnight or if the property has been unoccupied) exposure to lead can be minimised by running the tap to waste for a few minutes before using it for human consumption.
Iron is present in many local sources of water and can also be found in some instances where corroding iron pipes are present in the supply system. High iron concentrations will be very apparent to consumers in the form of brown discolouration.
The statutory limit for iron in drinking water is 200 mg per litre but as the health implications of using water with a slightly larger iron content are likely to be limited, the statutory limit value can be relaxed in certain domestic situations.
Treatment systems can be installed to remove iron from the supply.
Manganese occurs naturally in some water sources, where it is dissolved from the surrounding rocks. It can cause black discolouration of supplies and can sometimes block pipes completely. The discolouration of the water will become unacceptable to consumers long before concentrations reach levels that or health concern.
The statutory limit for manganese in drinking water is 50 mg per litre but as the health implications of using water with a slightly larger manganese content are likely to be limited, the statutory limit value can be relaxed in certain circumstances.
Treatment systems can be installed to remove manganese from the supply.
Bacteriological Tests
These tests are carried out to detect the presence of three main types of bacteria in a given sample of drinking water. The regulatory standard is that none of these bacteria should be found in a 100ml sample of water. (In the Certificate which shows the results for your sample the figure <1 means that no bacteria have been detected)
The three types of bacteria are Coliforms, E.coli and Enterococci. All are found in the gut of warm blooded animals and their presence in a water sample would indicate that there is a problem with the structural integrity of the distribution system or the disinfection process.
Coliforms are a group of bacteria that are found widely in the environment not just in animals. Most are not harmful in themselves, but their presence in a water sample indicates that there is a problem with contamination.
E.coli are members of the Coliform group and as with Enterococci can cause serious illness in humans.
If any of the organisms are detected in the water supply you should BOIL YOUR WATER before consumption or use an alternative supply. Any sample failure must fully be investigated as it could mean that there is a problem with the supply system or treatment process. All of these organisms can be removed by an effective treatment system.