Grundfos L-CBS-WP-10 User manual

GRUNDFOS
WHITE PAPER
Pump Installation and
Alignment
by Steve Wilson
This tutorial is intended to provide a quick overview of installation and alignment tech-
niques. As always, installation and alignment
should only be attempted by personnel trained
and familiar with such a task.
Local regulations and safety concerns are of
prime importance.
Always follow the recommendations of the
pump manufacturer as presented in their Instal-
lation, Operation, and Maintenance manuals.
Pump manufacturers will generally assume no
responsibility nor liability for installation and
alignment of their products, unless notified at
time of purchase.
Most pump manufacturers who supply horizon-
tal pumps will assure, at the factory, that they
can be aligned in the field. However, in certain
cases, improper installation may create condi-
tions which cause baseplate distortion, “soft
foot” and pipe strain. These situations, in turn,
may render a pump unable to be properly aligned
and may result in vibration or premature failure.
Misalignment of the piping and of the pump
to the driver results in more pump failure than
perhaps all other causes combined. Seal failure,
bearing failure, and wear component failure can
all be often traced to alignment issues.
GETTING STARTED
• Assure that receiving instructions have been
followed and the equipment has been properly
cared for prior to installation.
• Assure foundation is properly sized and flat.
• Place pump / drive / baseplate assembly on the
foundation.
• Disconnect the coupling halves. Do not recon-
nect until all alignment operations are com-
plete.
• Support the baseplate on metal blocks or shims
and not directly on the floor
• Adjust the metal supports until the baseplate
is level. (Maximum spacing around 24 inches.)
• Check suction and discharge for horizontal and
vertical, using a level.
• Check alignment
Figure 1. Getting started
CHECK ALIGNMENT
• (Even if final alignment is to be verified with
laser alignment tools or dial indication, at
this point, straight edge and feeler alignment
checking will prove satisfactory.)
• Check angular and parallel alignment.
• Check on 4 Planes: (1) Angular in vertical plane,

PUMP INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT GRUNDFOS WHITE PAPER | 2
(2) Angular in horizontal plane, (3) Parallel,
side-to-side, and (4) Parallel, top-to-bottom.
• NOTE: After any adjustment, both parallel and
angular alignment should be rechecked.
• NOTE: Straight edge and feeler alignments
depend on couplings being square and parallel
to shaft. (Make sure they are firmly axed to
each shaft.)
TIGHTEN TO FOUNDATION
• Tighten foundation bolts evenly, but not too
firmly. Do not fully tighten foundation bolts
until grout has fully set. (Approximately 48
hours.)
• Recheck alignment. At this point, again,
straight edge and feeler alignment should suf-
fice.
• Grout. Leave shims in place.
• Align. At this point dial or laser alignment is
recommended.
PIPING
• Pipe from the pump, taking care to properly
support all piping.
• Check alignment and realign as necessary.
• Check rotation
• (To check rotation, it is best to do so without
the couplings connected. It is imperative to
disconnect the couplings if rotation is to be
checked before the unit is primed.)
PRIMING
• Prime the pump, assuring that air is properly
bled from the unit.
• Connect the couplings and perform a “semi-
final” alignment before starting, using dial
indication or laser alignment.
PUMP START-UP
• Run the pump long enough for operating tem-
perature to be stabilized.
• Shut the pump down and recheck alignment.
(Use dial indication or laser alignment.)
RUN THE PUMP
• Run the pump for a week or more, shut it down
and recheck alignment, possibly caused by pipe
or temperature strains. (Use dial indication or
laser alignment.)
• If alignment has remained correct, and only if
Figure 2. Feeler and straight edge alignment

PUMP INSTALLATION AND ALIGNMENT GRUNDFOS WHITE PAPER | 3
it has remained correct, should the pump and
motor be doweled. (This practice is endorsed by
some, discouraged by others.)
MAINTENANCE
Ensure that alignment checking is an integral
part of your preventative maintenance program.
(Use dial indication or laser alignment.)
CONCLUSION
While the procedure indicated above is lengthy
and may to some seem excessive, pump failure
can be traced directly to poor installation and
alignment practices, or pump procedures that
were not followed. Taking shortcuts to save a
few minutes or a few hours during installation
and alignment may ensure the inconvenience
and expense of extended and frequent periods of
downtime.

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L-CBS-WP-10•Rev.12/09(US)
USA
GRUNDFOS Pumps Corporation
17100 West 118th Terrace
Olathe, KS 66061
Phone:(913)227-3400
Telefax:(913)227-3500
CANADA
GRUNDFOS Canada Inc.
2941BrightonRoad
Oakville, Ontario
L6H6C9
Phone:(905)829-9533
Telefax:(905)829-9512
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BoulevardTLCNo.15
Parque Industrial Stiva Aeropuerto
C.P. 66600 Apodaca, N.L. Mexico
Phone:011-52-81-81444000
Telefax:011-52-81-8144-4010
USA
PACO Pumps – National Headquarters
Grundfos CBS Inc.
902KoomeyRoad
Brookshire, TX 77423
Phone:(800)955-5847
Telefax:(800)945-4777