Since the conditions surrounding pumping plants are so widely
different, it is impossible to treat every practical application in
detail, hence, the space allotted to this subject has been used in the
preceding succinct and plain discussion of the principles upon which
electric power is applied to the operation of pumps.
The following are some of the advantages claimed for electric pumping
machinery:
“Economy in operation and maintenance is the first and most vital
consideration that demands the attention in the installation of
pumping machinery. In respect to economy, the electric system has many
important advantages. It is saving in the transmission of power, and
thus enables a pumping installation to be situated at a considerable
distance from the source of power where the first cost and maintenance
expense of other systems would be almost prohibitive.
“The economy in space required is also worthy of consideration. The
driving mechanism of a modern electric pumping outfit occupies a small
amount of room and the space required for wiring is negligible. In
case of accident, any mechanical injury to wires can be quickly and
easily repaired--thus the economy in time and expenditure for repairs.
There is no large loss by condensation. The only loss sustained with
the electric system in the transmission of power is a small loss due
to line resistance, increasing directly with the amount of water being
pumped and ceasing entirely when the pump is not in operation.”
A well designed electric pump will give an efficiency of from 75 to 80
per cent.; and, as the transmission loss depends upon the weight of
copper in the transmission line it can be made as low as the cost of
power, and, 2, the investment in copper will warrant.