Franklin Electric VR Series User manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
VR Series-
Vertical Multistage Pump
Before any procedure of installation, handling
or start of the pump, read the instructions
contained in this manual carefully. Follow step
by step the rules for the correct assembly of
the components and observe the provisions
of the country of use concerning the best
practice of the state of the art.
1. GENERAL DATA
1.1 General description
VR pumps are vertical multistage centrifugal pumps.
Models 3VR, 5VR and 9VR operate with clockwise
rotation when observed from above. Models 16VR
operate counter-clockwise when observed from above.
(Exceptions can exist in high pressure assemblies where
one of the two pumps has operation and hydraulics
inverted.) These pumps are not self-priming. Pump
intake and discharge are located on the same axis, at
the bottom of the pump. A standard mechanical seal in
the shaft inlet provides separation of the electric motor
from the pumped product. Mounting dimensions can be
found on the dimensions table, page 5.
1.2 Flanges available:
F- Round flanges on body type PN25: the pump is
supplied with joints, bolts and counterflanges.
T- Oval flanges on body type PN16: the pump is supplied
with oval counterflanges for pipe to be screwed, joints
and bolts (Optional accessories).
V- Connections with rapid fittings type “VICTAULIC”:
the pump is supplied with the collars(Optional
accessories).
C-Connections with round fittings type CLAMP -
FlexiClamp: the pump is supplied without collars
(Optional accessories).
1.3 Applications
VR centrifugal multi-stage pumps are suitable for a wide
range of applications. They can be used in agriculture
as well as in the civil and industrial field, as for example:
water tank, watering, irrigation, high pressure washing,
fire fighting protection, air conditioning, etc.
1.4 Pumped liquids
Clean liquids, compatible with the construction materials
of the pump, not containing solid particles or fibres.
If the pump is used to pump liquids with viscosity or a
density higher than water ones, it is necessary to use a
motor with a proportionally greater power.
1.5 Temperature of pumped liquids
The pumped liquids must remain within a given
temperature range: -20 ºC to +120 ºC
2 DELIVERY AND STORAGE
2.1 Delivery
The pumps are supplied in their original package
in which they must remain until they are installed.
Pay attention not to subject the pump to flexing after
unpackaged: this may cause the misalignment or the
damaging of the pump itself. Take care not to bump or
bind the components.
2.2 Storage and Handling
Storage temperature:
Pump: -20 ºC to +60 ºC
Neither the pump, nor the motor should be exposed
to sunlight. If the pump was not packaged, it has
to be stored in the warehouse vertically, in order to
prevent any possible misalignment. The pump must be
protected against frost and atmospheric agents. During
storage, the pump can be supported as shown in figure
2.1. In case of lack of the motor use a belt wrapped on
the pump head, paying utmost care not to damage the
lateral joint covering protections.
The motors of the pumps supplied with
eyebolts must not be used to handle the
whole assembled electropump (see fig. 2.2).

3 INSTALLATION AND PREPARATION
3.1 Ambient temperature
Maximum: +40 ºC.
Should the temperature of the pumped liquid exceed
40 ºC, or in case of use at high altitude (higher than
1000 meters), the motor power reduces due to the
reduced density of air useful to cool the same. In some
cases, it may be necessary to replace the motor with
one with greater power.
Here below there is an aproximate diagram
concerning the yield of the motors according to altitude
or temperature.
3.2 Minimum suction pressure
Check the characteristic curves of the pumps to assess
the NPSH factor and avoid cavitation problems (fig. 1
case B).
3.3 Maximum pressure during suction
It is important to keep the sum of the inlet and of the
outlet pressure, this latter against closed valve, always
lower than the maximum operation pressure allowed by
the pump (fig. 1 case A).
3.4 Minimum rate flow
The operation of the pump at a lower level than
the minimum rate flow allowed can cause excessive
overheating and damage the pump.
The pump must never operate against a
closed delivery valve.
3.5 Power supply data
See motor nameplate.
4 INSTALLATION
Legend figure 1:
1- Filter
2- Bottom valve
3- Gate valve
4- Pressure gauge
5- Check valve
6- Floating device
7- Anchorings for pipings
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
60
70
80
90
100
110
40 45 50 55 60
T °C
ambient
max
H m
altitude
max
P/Pn %
There can be two relevant application cases:
- Case shown in fig. 1.A: Pump under pressure, which
both from a tank as shown in figure and from civil
waterworks system, shall allow the plant to foresee a
protection against water lack (see fig. 1.6).
- Case shown in fig. 1.B: Pump in suction.
4.1 Assembly
Install the pump in an accessible place, protected
against frost and as close as possible to the water
suction point.
The pump must be tightly fastened to the basement by
means of bolts, for the measures of the holes and their
distance between centres, see the table on page 5.
To minimize the noise generated during the operation, it
is suggested to assemble the anti-vibration joints on the
tie rods fastening the base to the flooring.
Before proceeding to the final tightening of the pump,
make sure that it is in vertical position, otherwise adjust
the position with proper shims.
On the base of the pump it is indicated, by means of
arrows, the inlet and output direction of the pumped
fluid. On the lantern there are the arrows indicating the
motor rotation direction.
The pump can be assembled vertically or horizontally,
in any case it must not be placed vertically with motor
located in the lower part.
To avoid unnecessary stresses on the pump body,
place some support brackets (see fig. 1.7) in order to
support the incoming and outcoming pipe.
To avoid air blows affecting the pump operation, foresee
an inclination of the incoming pipes not lower than 2%.
Protect the pump against possible water hammers
by means of a check valve (bottom valve). Install a
shut-off valve upstream and downstream of the pump
in order to allow its insulation in case of maintenance
and disassembly.
4.2 Electric connections
The electric connection must be carried out
by qualified technicians in compliance with
the regulation in force in the countries of
installation of the pump.
Before replacing the cover of the terminal board and
removing / disassembling the pump, make sure power
supply has been disconnected.
The data concerning motor power supply are given on
the rating plate of the same. Before starting the motor,
check that electric power supply complies with the
features of the same.
For the connections, use electric cables complying with
local regulations.
When observed from above, standard 3VR,
5VR and 9VR pumps should rotate clockwise,
16VR should rotate counter-clockwise.
If necessary, the motor can be rotated on its axis to ease
the access to the same by maintenance technicians.
In this case, it is necessary to unscrew the screws
tightening the motor on the pump, remove the joint
covering safety carter and rotate the motor on its seat
paying attention not to remove the coupling joint.
2

Reassemble the joint covering carter and re-tighten
the screws of the motor at the end of the above
mentioned procedure.
Wire electric cables to the motor according to the
diagram given within the cover of the terminal board.
Avoid any contact of the electric cables with
the pipes or other parts of the pump. Carefully
insulate the cables against humidity.
ALWAYS CONNECT THE GROUND.
5 COMMISSIONING
CAUTION: The pump must NOT be started without
previous filling. Dry running can damage irreparably
the mechanical seal and the bearings.
Make sure not to remain in the trajectory of
liquid output from the valve during the start of
the pump, a liquid output may occur during the
drainage, which would be dangerous for the
user in case the liquid is at high temperature
or in case of pumping of hazardous liquids.
5.1 Filling and drainage
5.1.1 Pump under pressure (see figure 1.A
and figures 3.A and B)
1- Close the gate valves on the delivery side of the
pump in order to avoid the flow in the circuit of the fluid
that is being used to fill the pump.
2- Remove the upper drainage cap (see fig. 3.A)
and unscrew slightly the by-pass valve (see fig. 3.B)
in order to let the two internal chambers of the pump
communicate and ease their filling. Do not remove
completely the by-pass valve, this is removed only and
exclusively to empty the pump. In the filling phase just
unscrew it for 3 or 4 turns.
3- Open the gate valve located on the pump suction
side in order to let the fluid come out on the pump. Make
sure that the difference in level between the pump and
the shutter is such as to assure a complete filling of
the pump.
4- When there is an homogeneous flow from the
drainage cap close it again carefully. Close the
by-pass valve.
5- Check the motor rotation direction as indicated on
the same.
6- Start the pump and check that it rotates on the
right direction.
7- Open the gate valve slowly on the discharge side
until stroke end.
Pay particular attention to point 3 in case the pump is
filled with hot or hazardous liquids, since the fluid coming
out of the upper drainage cap may hit people. Make sure
you are in a safety position during this operation. Close
the gate valve after the outcome of a constant liquid flow
from the cap before closing it again in order to avoid the
contact with the liquid.
5.1.2 Pump in suction (see figure 1.B and
figure 3.A, B and C)
1- Close the gate valve on the pump delivery side in
order to prevent the flow in the circuit of the fluid that is
being used to fill the pump and open the gate valve on
the suction side.
2- Remove the upper drainage cap (see fig. 3.A)
and unscrew slightly the by-pass valve (see fig. 3.B)
in order to let the two internal chambers of the pump
communicate and ease their filling. Do not remove
completely the by-pass valve, this is removed only and
exclusively to empty the pump. In the filling phase just
unscrew it for 3 or 4 turns.
3- Fill the pump as shown in figure 3.C until the fluid
comes out from the upper drainage cap.
4- Carefully close the cap again.
5- Check the motor rotation direction as indicated on
the same.
6- Start the pump and check that it rotates on the
right direction.
7- Open the gate valve slowly on the discharge side
until stroke end.
CAUTION: the pump must not work for more than
10 minutes with the delivery valve closed and with
pumped liquid temperature higher than 40ºC. If the
temperature is higher, limit this time to 5 minutes.
6 MAINTENANCE
Before any intervention on the pump, make
sure that power supply has been disconnected
and that it cannot be restored accidentally
during maintenance.
The bearings of the pump and the mechanical seal do
not require maintenance. If the pump is emptied before a
long period of standstill, remove one of the joint covering
elements and grease slightly with silicone oil the shaft
between the head of the pump and the motor in order to
avoid the gluing of the mechanical seal.
Motors without greasing nipple: the bearings are life-
long greased and do not require any greasing. Motors
with greasing nipple: grease these motors with lithium
oil for high temperatures following the instructions given
on the motor cover.
In case the pump works seasonally, grease the motor
before any prolonged standstill.
To protect the pump against frost, empty it completely
removing the upper drainage cap (see fig. 3.A) and
extracting the by-pass valve (see fig. 3.B) completely
in order to let all the liquid flow outside the pump. Once
the pump has been emptied, let it without caps. When
proceeding to its commissioning again, repeat the filling
and drainage according to point 5.
3

7 TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE
Before any intervention, disconnect the pump
from power supply.
If the pump is used for hazardous liquids for
human beings, inform compulsorily the per-
sonnel performing the repairing. In this case,
clean the pump, in order to assure the safety
of the operator.
See table below.
Fault Cause Remedy
7.1 The motor does not run when
started.
a) Lack of power supply. Connect power supply.
b) Blown out fuses. Replace fuses.
c) Thermal protection tripped. Restore the thermal protection.
d) Motor defective. Replace the motor.
7.2 The thermal protection of the
motor starter trips at start.
a) Fault in the contacts of the thermal
switch of the motor starter.
Replace the contacts of the motor
starter.
b) Connection of the cables faulty. Tighten or replace the cables.
c) Motor wiring faulty. Replace the motor.
d) Mechanical block of the pump. Remove the mechanical pump block.
e) Calibration of the thermal relay
too low.
Calibrate the motor starter correctly.
7.3 The thermal protection of the
motor starter trips now and then.
a) Calibration of the thermal relay
too low.
Calibrate the motor starter correctly.
b) Low voltage during the peaks. Check power supply.
7.4 The flow rate is not constant. a) Pressure too low during suction
(cavitation).
Check the NPSH of the pump.
b) Suction manifold / pump partially
obstructed by impurities.
Clean the pump or the suction
manifold.
c) The pump sucks air. Check the suction conditions.
7.5 The pump rotates but does not
supply water.
a) Suction manifold / pump partially
obstructed by impurities.
Clean the pump or the suction
manifold.
b) Bottom valve or check valve
blocked in closed position.
Repair the bottom valve or the check
valve.
c) Leak in the suction manifold. Repair the suction manifold.
d) Presence of air in the suction
manifold or in the pump.
Check the suction conditions.
e) The motor rotates in wrong
direction.
Change the motor rotation direction.
7.6 The pump vibrates. a) Anchoring on the plinth faulty. Verify and completely screw the nuts
of the bolts of the studs.
b) Foreign body obstruct the pump. Disassemble the pump and clean it.
c) “Hard” rotation of the pump. Verify that the pump rotates freely
without anomalous hindrances.
d) Electric connection faulty. Verify the connections of the pump.
4

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
The above listed products comply with the following Directives: Machinery Directive 98/37/EC. Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. Electromagnetic Compatibility 2004/108/EC. They are also subject to the following harmonized standards: EN 809, EN 60335-2-41
Riccardo Fornasa
Director of Engineering - R&D
Pump
Type
F-Version (Round) T-Version (Oval) V-Version
Vitaulic
C-Version
Flexi-Clamp
L
(mm)
H
(mm)
DN L1
(mm)
L2
(mm)
B1
(mm)
B2
(mm)
øD
(mm)
L
(mm)
H
(mm)
D
(Rp)
L
(mm)
H
(mm)
D
(mm)
L
(mm)
L
(mm)
D1
(mm)
D2
(mm)
3VR 250 75 25 100 150 180 210 13 160 50 1-1/4 210 50 42,2 162 50 59 36 5VR 250 75 32 100 150 180 210 13 160 50 1-1/4 210 50 42,2 162 50 59 36 9VR 280 80 40 130 200 215 250 13 200 80 1-1/2 261 80 60,3 202 80 87 40
16VR 300 90 50 130 200 215 250 13 200 90 2 261 90 60,3 202 90 87 40
4xØD
L
L1
2B
B1
2
L
H
DN
H
LDL
H
D2
D1
L
H
D
DIMENSIONS
5