Pump Parts Key Terms

Learn the some of the key terms that relate to pump parts

By Emmet McMahan

A pump may be any machine that moves a liquid or gas by increasing its pressure in the desired direction. The parts that make up a pump vary widely depending the specific purpose of the pump, such as fluid transfer, energy transfer or processing. Fluid pumps frequently measure performance by the amount of fluid they can move in a given period of time, such as gallons per minute (GPM). Pump parts also may influence other characteristics of the pump, such as its speed in revolutions per minute (RPM).

Absolute pressure

Absolute pressure is pressure that is measured against a perfect vacuum. Many pump parts have specifications indicating the amount of pressure they can create or withstand.
Try: Light My Pump provides extensive information on pump parts, including a glossary of terms that relate to pumps, such as absolute pressure.

Cavitation

Cavitation is a condition that occurs when the pump is not receiving its maximum capacity of material. The tendency towards cavitation is an important consideration when designing or selecting a pump part.
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Air bound

A pump that fills with air, thus preventing a vacuum from forming, is considered to be air bound. Pump parts should not allow a pump to become air bound.
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Head

The term "head" in the context of pump parts refers to the amount of pressure that a hydraulic pump can create. It is typically measured in pounds per square inch (psi).
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Positive displacement pump

A positive displacement pump moves water by sealing it in a chamber before reducing the volume of the chamber. Parts for this type of pump include a diaphragm, piston and rotary vane.
Try: Affordable Solar Group offers a variety of water pumps and also describes a positive displacement pump.

Centrifugal pump

A centrifugal pump relies on a continuously spinning vanned disk to move fluid. The primary advantage of this type of pump is that it does not create a pulsation.
Try: Pumps101 provides information on pumps and their operation, including a glossary of terms that relate to pump parts, such as centrifugal pump.