Gardening enthusiasts are always looking for ways to improve. Automating your irrigation with an electric pumping system is undoubtedly one such way. Electric-powered sprinkling has revolutionised gardening, and we're delighted to share our knowledge with you. In this blog, we look at the benefits, the different types, pump specifications, and what to consider, the installation, maintenance and accessories for building an irrigation system for your garden.
Benefits of Using Electric Irrigation Systems In Home Gardening
An electric irrigation pump can sprinkle your garden quickly and easily without spending hours dragging around a heavy watering can or hose. Moreover, they are more energy efficient than traditional gasoline-powered pumps.
Advantageously, electric pumps are much quieter and more environmentally friendly than traditional internal combustion engine devices, making them ideal for residential areas where silence and calm are welcomed. Finally, electric pumps are much easier to maintain than motor pump alternatives, which require regular oil changes and maintenance.
Types of Electric Pumps for Home Gardening: Surface or Submersible Pump?
Generally, domestic electric garden pumps for sprinkler watering systems are divided into surface pumps and submersible pumps. Submersible pumps are designed either for wells or deep boreholes.
Surface Pumps
Surface sprinkler system pumps distribute water evenly over the garden and are the easiest to install. If there is a water supply or a tank of water above the pump's installation level, you can use a non-suction pump. Such pumps are installed in basements and connected to an expansion tank and a network of pipes that carry water to different garden areas. Self-priming pumps can extract water from a deep well with an upper water level limit of no lower than 6-8 meters. These pumps are usually installed directly at the well in unique rooms under the ground (caissons).
⚠If you plan to source water from below the level of your equipment, starting with air in your pipes, you will need priming. In such a scenario, we recommend a self-priming pump that can begin operation with an air-filled hose.
Submersible Pumps: Wells And Deep Bore-holes
Submersible pumps can be further divided into pumps for wells up to 10 meters and pumps for deep boreholes up to 250 meters.
1. Well pumps are portable and universal and can be moved around the house or garden. They are convenient for watering and gardeners living in areas with heavy rainfall or low-lying areas prone to flooding. These submersible pumps can quickly drain water from basements or cellars.
2. Submersible deep bore-hole pumps have a more complex multi-stage design and a casing diameter (usually 4 inches) that allows them to be lowered into standard 110 mm borehole pipes. They are popular among households in Germany.
The Specifications of Electric Water Pumps: Water Flow Rate, Pressure Head and Power
Before you choose an electric water pump for your garden, you must understand the various specifications you will encounter. The three main characteristics are flow rate, head (pressure) and power (horsepower).
Flow Rate (g/min) or (l/min)
The flow rate or capacity is the amount of liquid moved in a given time and is measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or litres per minute (LPM). You should choose the pump capacity depending on the size of your garden and the type of irrigation system installed. You can check the flow rates of your sprinklers with the manufacturers. For the powerful GARDENA lawn sprinklers, for example, it is 600-1100 l/h:
The calculation of the total water consumption for a garden is usually similar to that for a home. All consumers in the house are specified and added together. For example, a system with one toilet (7-12 l/min), kitchen taps (7-12 l/min) and washing machines or dishwashers (7-16 l/min) requires a maximum pump capacity of 40 l/min if all are switched on at the same time.
Pressure Head (m)
Pressure head (Head) refers to the maximum height to which the water in the system can rise. This is important if you have a sloping site or your water source is below where you plan to equip your system. The head is usually measured in feet or metres and depends on the pressure. If the pressure is insufficient, consider using a booster pump.
Power (HP) or (kW)
HP or kW refers to the motor's electrical power that drives the pump. The electrical power is designated as P1, a critical technical characteristic when selecting a pump. The higher the power, the more powerful the pump is. However, a larger pump will use more power, so choose a pump that suits the size of your garden.
⚠Warning. Some sellers of pumping equipment quote lower wattages than the electrical rating of the motor when they sell the pump. For each pump, there is also a power P2 indicating the pump unit's pumping power. This is the real power to pump water after accounting for various mechanical and other losses. It is much lower than the power P1.
3 Factors to Consider Choosing The Right Electric Water Pump For Your Home Garden
Choosing the right equipment for your garden is easy if you familiarise yourself with the different specifications and pump types. However, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing an electric water pump for your garden.
1. Consider the size of your garden and the irrigation piping you have installed. If you have a large garden with a complex irrigation system, you may need an appropriate-sized pump to ensure a constant flow of water. Remember that the best efficiency point (B.E.P.) is to select a pump using a performance graph in the 60-75% range. This will allow you to run the pump long without overloading or breakdowns.
2. When installing the pump above a natural water source, consider the height of the water surface you are pumping. Watering your garden from a pond or pool requires less pressure, as the pump does not need extra energy for self-priming; however, if your system must be equipped to pump water from a deep well, you will need higher pressure. 3. Also, consider your budget. Depending on the specifications and features, the price can vary from a few hundred euros to several thousand euros. It is important to choose a quality pump that is within your budget but still meets your garden's needs. A high-quality pump can cost you less in the long run than buying several pumps of lesser quality. And especially be weary of lesser-known, more affordable brands as they could be dangerous to operate and may not meet the stated technical characteristics.
Easy Installation and Setting Up Irrigation Pump: Step-by-Step Guide
Installing and setting up your electric water pump may seem daunting, but it's a relatively straightforward process if you follow these steps:
Choose the location for your pump: make sure it's close to a power source and the water source you'll be pumping from. Surface-type pumps should be placed in places protected from the effects of precipitation, sun and freezing temperatures.
Install the pump: follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, ensuring the pump is in place. The electrical power supply of the water pump must be connected following the established electrical safety rules and regulations. The pump must be grounded. To connect the pump, it is better to use the services of a qualified electrician.
Connect the pipes: connect the intake and outlet pipes to the pump, ensuring they're secure and tight. To replace the water pump and service the irrigation system, installing a valve in front of the pump is advisable.
Prime the pump: Before starting the pump for the first time, fill the suction pipe and pump housing with water to remove air bubbles. To do this, there is a hole with a plug in the upper part of the housing on all surface pumps.
Test the pump: turn it on to ensure it works correctly, and there is no water leakage, vibration and extraneous sounds.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips for Irrigation Pumps
Carry out regular maintenance to ensure your electric water pump works efficiently. These include:
✔ check the pump and connected equipment for water leakage;
✔ clean the suction filter and suction hose;
✔ inspect the mechanical system for signs of damage or wear;
✔ check the quality of the electrical connection and the integrity of the wiring.
Troubleshooting
And if you experience any problems with the electric water pump, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can try before calling a professional:
Check temperature requirements and specifications characteristics and the right choice of pump for your application.
Check that the power supply to the water pump is connected correctly.
Inspect suction and discharge piping for blockages and leaks. Check if the hoses have the correct diameter as specified in the water pump instruction manual.
Check the garden pump housing and impeller for damage.
Check the pressure of the pumped water.
⚠Attention. Avoid dry running the pump over 20 seconds, or you risk damaging the mechanical seal.
Seek Help and Repair.
If all else fails, you should seek help from a specialised service centre. To avoid problems with repairs and service, you should only buy water supply equipment for your home and garden from reputable manufacturers with a direct supply of spare parts:
Accessories and Add-ons: Flow and PressureControl for Irrigation Pumps, Pressure Tanks, and More
In addition to electric water pumps, there are many different irrigation pump accessories and add-ons that you can use to enhance your garden's irrigation system.
Mechanical Accessories
Consider adding an Interchangeable membrane, manometers, and valves with filters.
Electric Accessories
These accessories include Flow and Pressure Control boxes for irrigation pumps, frequency inverters for energy-saving by water pump sets, pressure switches, and different control boards for easy start and electrical protection.
At a minimum, you will need a pressure switch to turn the pump on and off automatically. The pressure switch controls the upper and lower limit of water pressure, depending on the calculated parameters for the irrigation system of your agricultural area.
Complete System
Correctly Foras selected water pump accessory kits to include all the pipes, connectors, faucets, fittings, expansion tanks and controls needed to create a complete irrigation system for your garden. Before purchasing a pump, you should plan for the garden irrigation system, considering the application of the necessary options in the irrigation system of your land.
Conclusion: Revolutionising Your Home Garden with an Electric Irrigation System
Electric water pumps have revolutionized how we water our gardens, offering many advantages and benefits over traditional pumps powered by a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine. By choosing the right electric water pump for your garden and following the installation and maintenance instructions, you can enjoy an efficient and productive garden all year round. So why not invest in an electric water pump today and see how it can affect your home garden?
Many brands are available on the market, but purchasing a pump from well-known EU manufacturers with guaranteed quality and technical support is advisable. For example, Foras by Pentax, Pedrollo S.p.A, Panelli, Calpeda, and DAB. These brands offer a wide range of pumps with different features and functions, making it easy to buy and find the right pump for your garden needs. The benchmark for quality is Foras pumps, which, unlike many pump manufacturers, are both mechanically and electrically tested, making them reliable and saving you time and money in the long run. In addition, Foras distributors can find about 1000 different models with a capacity of up to 1000 cubic meters per hour and a water pressure of up to 1000 meters, custom-made for any need.
If you're ready to improve your home garden with an electric water pump, check out our range of pumps, filters and accessories today. You can create a beautiful and efficient garden by combining our high-quality filters, pumps, and expert advice.
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