PRIVATE WATER SYSTEMS - Installation - Control Units - Water-hammer Controls

Water-hammer Controls

Water Hammer The cause of water hammer is the ramming action that develops when a column of water is suddenly set in motion as when a pump starts, or when the water column suddenly stops as when the valve is closed quickly. It is usually recognized by the sudden thud and vibration that occurs when a water valve is closed quickly. Pressure tanks and elastic cells usually absorb most of the water hammer in the area where they are immediately located. The biggest problem occurs when water is being pumped up hill through long lengths of delivery pipe, and the pressure tank is located at the higher level where the water is being used. Solving the problem involves two pressure tanks, one at the pump level and the other at the upper or delivery point level. This leads to serious air supply problems between the two tanks in which the lower tank has difficulty keeping properly charged. A better solution is to use elastic cells next to the pump to do away with the air problem. Then either an elastic cell or pressure tank may be placed at the upper level.

Back ArrowReturn to Water System Control Units © Copyright