5 Critical Points Plant New Equipment Startup Checklist

Are these 5 CRITICAL points on your plant’s new equipment startup checklist? If they’re not, they should be!

As an annual ritual I am compelled to remind pump industry people that 99.35% (approx.) of industrial centrifugal pumps do not arrive ready to run and play – unfortunately this “Plug and Play” pump industry myth continues to persist.

Overview

1. There is NO OIL in the pump.
2. The impeller may or may NOT be set to the proper clearance.
3. The driver is NOT aligned to the pump.
4. The direction of rotation on the motor has NOT been determined.
5. The mechanical seal is NOT set.

If you already know these 5 things and fully understand the significance, then you can stop here. If you don’t know or would like a refresher please read on.