ELECTRIC PUMPING MACHINERY.
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.