What term describes when a pump runs with little or no flow?

What term describes when a pump runs with little or no flow?

• A. Pump Deadhead
• B. Pump Runout
• C. Parallel Pump
• D. Series Pump

Answer: (A)

Deadheading is when a pump runs with almost no flow. In centrifugal pumps, as the flow rate approaches zero, the head the pump can develop approaches the shutoff head. The pump still generates pressure, but with very little fluid being delivered, so nearly none of the energy is transferred to the system. This condition can cause overheating and potential damage if kept up, since there’s little fluid circulating to carry away heat. It typically happens when a discharge valve is closed or the system offers more resistance than the pump can overcome at its current operating point. Other terms describe different concepts: placing pumps in parallel or in series changes overall system capacity or head, not the operating state of near-zero flow, and a term like runout refers to mechanical misalignment or other issues rather than the running condition of the pump flow.

Deadheading is when a pump runs with almost no flow. In centrifugal pumps, as the flow rate approaches zero, the head the pump can develop approaches the shutoff head. The pump still generates pressure, but with very little fluid being delivered, so nearly none of the energy is transferred to the system. This condition can cause overheating and potential damage if kept up, since there’s little fluid circulating to carry away heat. It typically happens when a discharge valve is closed or the system offers more resistance than the pump can overcome at its current operating point.

Other terms describe different concepts: placing pumps in parallel or in series changes overall system capacity or head, not the operating state of near-zero flow, and a term like runout refers to mechanical misalignment or other issues rather than the running condition of the pump flow.