The terms listed in this glossary are applicable to Red Lion Pump Specialist modules. This glossary is intended to be used as a resource for you while completing the Red Lion Pump Specialist certification.
Click on a letter to narrow your search.
The action of putting something into operation.
A force exerted upon the earth’s surface by the weight of air extending to a height of 25 miles above the earth. At sea level, 14.7 pounds per square inch.
A container connected to a sink, toilet, washer, or dishwater that is used to collect refuse that comes from these applications. Once collected, the waste is pumped from the basin to a pipe or septic tank.
Also known as sewage or wastewater, consists of water containing solids up to 2" in diameter.
The formation of air, steam, or vapor bubbles due to pressure falling too low, especially at the inlet of the pump, causing vibration and turbulence.
The force created by a spinning or rotating impeller, resulting in the movement of water outward from the center point. A pump uses an impeller to create centrifugal force.
A pump that uses centrifugal force to move water and create pressure.
An accessory used to prevent the back flow of liquid into the sump, tank, or well on the discharge side of the pump.
Installs above ground and contains electrical starting components for 3-wire submersible deep well pumps. To note, 2-wire submersible deep well pumps do not require a control box.
For deep wells where pumping water levels are as far as 90 feet below the pump. Also easily converted for shallow wells where pumping water levels are no more than 25 feet below the pump. Jet packages must be purchased separately.
The point at which the pressure switch turns the pump on.
A well with a depth to water greater than 25 feet.
For use on wells where pump water levels are up to 400 feet below point of use. The pump is submerged underwater in the well.
The vertical measurement from pump level down to water level. The pump height above the water.
The opening by which water is removed by the pump.
The amount of force or pressure of the water discharged from the pump.
The distance that the water level drops below the static water level when the well is pumped at its rated capacity.
The pipe used to carry water down a pump jet.
The pump motor that can be operated on 115 or 230 volts.
Water containing solids up to 1/2” in diameter, generated from activities such as dishwashing, bathing, laundry, etc. Also known as gray water.
A pump capable of handling 1/2” solids, designed for pumping effluent from a septic tank to a leach field. Used in many wastewater removal applications such as elevator pits, loading docks, construction sites, and emergency water removal.
The volume of liquid produced by a pump at any given head or pressure expressed in gallons per minute (gpm) or gallons per hour (gph).
Female National Pipe Thread – a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings. (The female end is larger than the male end).
Installs on the end of the pump suction pipe to prevent water from draining back to its source. Includes strainer to minimize suction of debris into the pump.
Water that is not salty, especially when considered as a natural resource.
A loss in pressure caused by friction when liquid moves through a pipe.
Gallons per hour.
Gallons per minute.
Also known as effluent. Water containing solids up to 1/2” in diameter generated from activities such as dishwashing, bathing, laundry, etc.
A wire that has an electrical connection to the earth.
A term used to define water pressure in vertical feet. The vertical distance from: The top of the well to the pressure tank. + the top of the well to the static water level + the drawdown (static water level to the pumping water level) + the vertical distance from the well to the house
Horsepower (power of motor).
The rotating part of the pump that imparts the centrifugal force to the liquid by throwing the water off its rim to raise the velocity of the liquid.
A device in which water is forced through a jet (nozzle) to cause a vacuum (suction), which draws in liquid, mixes with it, and then forces it forward through a venture tube and into the eye of the impeller.
The opening by which water is sucked into the pump.
A centrifugal pump which requires a jet to help build additional water pressure.
Male National Pipe Thread – a U.S. standard for tapered threads used on threaded pipes and fittings. (The male end is smaller than the female end).
For use on deep wells only with pumping water levels as far as 210 feet below the pump.
National Pipe Thread or NPT are U.S. national technical standards for screw threads used on threaded pipes and pipe fitting.
A force usually expressed in pounds per square inch.
Indicates the pressure of the pump as controlled by the pressure switch (not required for actual pump operation).
Pressure switch turns pump on at 30 psi and off at 50 psi.
Pressure switch turns pump on at 40 psi and off at 60 psi.
The switch that automatically turns the pump on and off at specific pressures of 30/50 psi and 40/60 psi. IMPORTANT: always replace an old switch with a new switch with the same pressure settings.
The initial filling of a jet or centrifugal pump with water so that air can be removed.
Pounds per square inch. A volumetric pressure measurement.
The amount of water a pump is capable of moving at a given pressure.
The distance below the ground where the water is found when the well is being pumped at its rated capacity. Static Water Level + Drawdown = Pumping Water Level.
The maximum rate of flow that a well is able to provide without being pumped dry.
Adding a component or accessory to something that did not have it when manufactured.
Pipe used to return water, coming from the jet and venture, back to the pump.
Required for all submersible pump and pressure boosting installations to prevent over-pressurization of water storage tank and system piping that could develop from pressure switch malfunction.
Water that contains significant amounts or concentrations of dissolved salts.
A shallow water well source obtained from no more than 25 feet below the ground.
Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.
A pump that will clear its passages of air and start pumping. The pump can mix air and water to create a pumpable fluid until it is fully primed (ready to function properly).
Water containing solids up to 2” in diameter, also known as black water.
A container connected to a sink, toilet, washer, or dishwasher that is used to collect refuse that comes from these appliances. Once collected, the waste is pumped from the basin to a pipe or septic tank.
A pump capable of handing 2” solids, designed for pumping raw sewage to a septic tank, gravity sewer, or lift station. Also used in many wastewater removal applications requiring higher flows.
A well with a depth of water 25 feet or less.
For uses in wells where pumping water levels are no more than 25 feet below the pump. Features a built-in jet.
The maximum in feet or pressure that a pump can produce, measured with the pump running against a closed discharge.
Properly matching product to application for best performance.
A pressure water storage tank where air comes in contact with water. Requires air volume control for proper operation.
The height in feet from the top of the liquid being pumped to the point of the fluid being discharged. (This may not be the highest point in the discharge piping).
The distance below ground where water is found when no pumping occurs.
For use on wells where pumping water levels are up to 400 feet below point of use. The pump is submerged underwater in the well.
The part of the pumping system that puts the water in contact with the eye of the impeller.
The vertical height from the pumping water level to the suction part of the pump.
A pedestal (vertical) or submersible pump designed for use in the sump of a basement to remove wastewater from seepage due to a high water table or rain.
Stores air and water under pressure to provide for automatic pump operation and a source of water when the pump is not running.
The amount of usable water available from a water storage tank between operating cycles of a pump.
Used to prevent motor start up torque from thrusting the pump against the side of the well casing.
The combination of static head + friction head (loss) + operational pressure (or system pressure) in head in feet (if applicable). This value is normally used to select the correct pump for an application.
A portable submersible or in-line pump used for multiple light to medium duty water transfer applications.
Refers to moving gases or fluids out of a region of space.
The casing of the pump head that encloses the impeller and delivers liquid to the discharge pipe.
Stores air and water under pressure to provide for automatic pump operation and a source of water when the pump is not running.
The absorption of air into water stored in a water storage tank, greatly reducing the amount of usable water drawdown available from the tank.
A hole drilled in the ground to utilize an underground water source.
Also known as the well’s replenishment rate or well recovery rate—the rate at which the well refills with water, measured in gallons per minute (gpm).
Also known as the well’s replenishment rate or well capacity—the rate at which the well refills with water, measured in gallons per minute (gpm).
Also known as the well’s recovery rate or well capacity—the rate at which the well refills with water, measured in gallons per minute (gpm).
Closes the well casing at ground level, preventing polluted water, or waste, from entering the fresh water supply.