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Pressure boosting and maintaining pumps

Pumps for increasing and maintaining pressure, also referred to as booster stations, are devices that increase the comfort of using water in places with fluctuating or low pressure in the water supply system. The principle of their operation is similar to domestic waterworks, but these systems are usually equipped with a more powerful pump. Here, on Bolasystems, you can find solutions not only for family houses, but also residential or office buildings.

The system usually contains a pump, a pressure vessel, a manometer and a pressure switch. Thanks to the sensors that are part of the booster station, the system automatically takes care of switching the pump on and off and a constant supply of water at the required pressure.

When to buy a pressure-boosting pump?

There is insufficient pressure in the connection of the water supply system in many areas. Simply put, in such case only a very light stream of water flows out of the tap. For example, filling a bathtub or washing hands becomes very uncomfortable. In addition, insufficient pressure can cause malfunctions and, in extreme cases, damage to household appliances. The solution is to buy a water pressure boosting and maintaing system. However, its purchase should be preceded by the approval of the waterworks manager. In case of their disagreement, it is necessary to use a separating pressureless tank.

How does a water pressure booster station work?

Its functionality is similar to that of domestic waterworks. Only difference is that instead of sucking water from a well, it sucks water from the tap. The pump fills a pressure vessel and the vessel then maintains a constant pressure in the water mains.

In contrast to domestic waterworks, in this case more advanced and more efficiently controlled pumps with a motor equipped with a frequency converter are more often used. The system is equipped with an overhanging atmospheric tank in large buildings, which prevents the pressure in the supply network from dropping in the event of a new connection to the system. You do not have to worry that your consumption will reduce the water pressure of neighboring objects.

  • Perfect water pressure in all taps
  • Reliable operation and long service life
  • Low noise
  • Ready for immediate installation
  • Low noise
  • Protection against dry-running

Typical control

The system consists of a pump connected to the municipal water supply, a pressure vessel and a pressure or flow switch.

At the beginning of water consumption the pressure drops, the switching unit detects the change and switches on the pump. The pump always runs at full capacity and the pressure vessel compensates for pressure shocks so that the water pressure in the pipes can be constant and at the same time the number of pump switchings is reduced.

At the end of water consumption the pump runs until the pressure in the vessel reaches the required value again. In practice, pumping by thirds of the volume of the pressure vessel is usually used. By default the pressure vessel is filled with two thirds and the pump is switched off. After opening the tap, water starts to flow, but the pump does not start operating again until the switching unit detects a drop below one third of the volume. The pump runs until the volume is re-pumped to two thirds.

System with a frequency converter

Another option suitable for larger buildings is a booster station equipped with a pump with a frequency converter, which can constantly maintain a pre-set pressure and suffices with a smaller pressure vessel. It relies on an integrated pressure sensor, which tells the pump when we turn on the tap and then it compares the measured pressure with the set pressure. It  then sends a signal to the frequency converter, which immediately sets the pump speed for the required water pressure.

Thanks to the intelligent control this system is able to immediately react to situations when multiple taps are turned on at the same time (for example, in addition to the tap, the shower is switched on) without unpleasant fluctuations in the water flow.

How to choose a pressure-boosting and maintaining water system?

When installing a boosting system for the whole residential apartment buildings, a powerful pump is needed. Such large stations are usually used. For a one or two family houses, a smaller booster such as Grundfos Scala2 or Grundfos Scala1, or a Wilo booster station with pressure vessel, is usually enough.

To select a suitable product, it is essential to take into account the following parameters:

  • Pressure vessel size: usually ranges from 100 liters. Choosing the right size can prevent the pump from switching unnecessarily often.
  • Pump head,
  • Flow rate,
  • Material,
  • Type - bladder / diaphragm.