1. What is Pump Power Calculation?

The pump power calculation determines the mechanical power required to move a fluid at a specified flow rate against a given head (pressure). It's essential for selecting appropriately sized pumps and motors in fluid systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power (W)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( H \) — Head (m)
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical power required to move the fluid, then divides by pump efficiency to get actual power requirement.

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper pump selection, prevents motor overload, and optimizes energy consumption in fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For water, density is typically 1000 kg/m³
• Efficiency typically ranges 0.7-0.9 for centrifugal pumps
• Convert flow units to m³/s (1 L/s = 0.001 m³/s)
• Head is the total dynamic head (static head + friction losses)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between brake power and water power?
A: Water power is the theoretical power needed to move the fluid, while brake power (calculated here) includes pump inefficiencies.

Q2: How do I account for viscous fluids?
A: Use the actual density and consider that efficiency may be lower for viscous fluids.

Q3: What if my flow is in L/s or GPM?
A: Convert to m³/s (1 L/s = 0.001 m³/s, 1 GPM ≈ 0.000063 m³/s).

Q4: How does head relate to pressure?
A: Head (m) = Pressure (Pa) / (ρ × g). For water, 10 m ≈ 1 bar.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, typically add 10-20% to the calculated power for safety margin.