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Working of Sump Pump: How It Works
Working of Sump Pump: How It Works
Working of Sump Pump: How It Works
A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. Its job is
to help keep the area under the building dry and to prevent it from flood-ing. Usually, sump
pumps are installed in specially constructed sump pits. Water flows into the sump pit through
drains or by natural water migration through the soil. The sump pump's job is to pump the
water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawlspace stays dry.
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, more than 60 percent of American
homes suffer from below-ground wetness [source: Basement Systems]. But even more
homeowners are likely to have to deal with a flooded basement at some point. It doesn't take
much water to cause thousands of dollars of damage. A moist basement can also lead to mold
and mildew growth, bringing with it all its related health and breathing hazards.
How it Works
A sump pump usually stands in a sump pit -- a hole with a
gravel base about 2 feet (60 centimeters) deep and 18 inches
(45 centimeters) wide -- dug in the lowest part of your
basement or crawlspace. As the pit fills with water, the pump
turns on. It moves the liquid out of the pit through pipes that
run away from your home to a spot where the water can drain
away from your foundation. The pipe usually has a one-way
valve called a check valve at the pump end to keep the water
from flowing back into the pit.
Most sump pumps turn on automatically through a float
activator arm or a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor works
just like its name suggests: Water exerts more pressure on the sensor than air does, which
causes the pump to activate. The float activator works a lot like the one in your toilet tank. A
buoyant ball floats on top of the water, manually moving the arm as the water level rises. You
can also buy a manually operated pump, which works only when you decide to turn it on, but
these aren't as common because of their lack of convenience. Automatic pumps also have an
option for you to activate the pump if the float arm or sensor should fail to work.
The typical home sump pump uses a centrifugal pump to move water. When the motor is on, it
causes a screw- or fanlike device called an impeller to turn. Using centrifugal force, the spinning
impeller forces water toward the sides of the pipe, creating a low-pressure area at its center.
Water from the pit rushes to fill the void, and the impeller's spinning action pushes it out
through the pipe.
Sump pumps for home use are powered by electricity and use standard household current, so
they don't require specialized wiring beyond a grounded outlet. Since the pump is always in or
near water, it's a good idea to have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on the outlet to
prevent accidental electrocution.
There are two primary sump pump designs, both of which are about 2 1/2 to 3 feet (76.2 to 91
centimeters) high. A submersible pump rests in the water. It's encased in a waterproof housing,
with the pump itself at the bottom and the outlet pipe near the top. A flat screen or grate
covers the bottom of the pump to keep out debris. When the pump turns on, water is sucked
up through the grate and routed into the pipes and out of your home.
The other common type of sump pump is the pedestal pump. Pedestal pumps look something
like a long stick with a fat head. The pedestal keeps the pump out of the pit, away from the
water even when the pit is full. An inlet pipe reaches down into the bottom of the pit to draw
the water out. Since the motor and pump are out of the water, pedestal pumps are usually
louder -- but less expensive -- than submersible pumps.
sump pumps have many options available, when choosing one, you need to make some
decisions:
Manual or automatic: Although manually operated sump pumps are available and slightly less
expensive, an automatic pump is far more convenient.
Horsepower: Sump pumps are commonly one-quarter to one-third horsepower. More powerful
motors will pump more water, but you don't need to go overboard if your moisture problem is
minor.
Head pressure: Head pressure is the height a pump can raise water. For example, a pump with
head pressure of 12 feet (3.7 meters) can raise water to that height, minus about 10 percent for
physical limitations like bends in pipes. The pump you choose must be able to lift water out of
the sump pit and up to the outlet pipe.
Cord length: You n-eed to be able to plug a sump pump directly into a ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) outlet -- you shouldn't plug one into an extension cord.
Voltage: Most sump pumps for use in U.S. homes operate on standard 110-volt circuits. Pumps
with 220 or 4690 volts are available but are more commonly used in industrial applications.
Backup and alarm systems: Choose the alarm notification and backup system that fits with your
personal lifestyle.
Pickup Truck
A pickup truck, or pickup, is generally a motor
vehicle with an open cargo area in the rear.
Typically a work truck, this type of vehicle is easily
recognizable and has been in general use since the
1920s. A pickup truck's ability to work can be
classified by many features, including its towing
capacity. Tradespeople throughout the world
routinely use pickups to transport equipment. These
vehicles are also commonly used for personal
transportation in North America.
The chassis for a pickup is typically constructed of channel or tubular rails and has the cab
separated from the cargo section. This design allows the chassis to flex under stress, while
preventing any warping of the sheet metal in the body of the pickup. Sheet metal is generally
not a load-bearing component in pickups.
The first commercial pickup was the Model T Runabout, which entered production in 1925. It
used the same chassis as the Model T, but the rear body was modified. The Model A replaced
the Model T in 1928, which provided the chassis for the Model A pickup. The 4-cylinder engine
for this pickup produced 40 horsepower (hp), which was a powerful engine at the time. Many
full-size pickups today produce more than 400 horsepower.
Length -The longest is the Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 (231.7 inches), followed by the Chevrolet
Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 (230.2) and Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x2 (228.7). The shortest is
the Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x2 (227.5 inches).
Width- While the widths of the cargo boxes are all about 51 inches across, the Chevrolet (69.3
inches) is the longest. The Ram 1500 (67.4 inches) and Ford F-150 (67.0) are only marginally
shorter, but the Toyota Tundra (66.7) is the shortest.