Pump Fault — Cavitation Detected
What This Fault Means
Cavitation occurs when the pressure at the pump suction drops below the fluid's vapor pressure, causing vapor bubbles that violently collapse inside the impeller. It sounds like gravel or marbles inside the pump and rapidly destroys the impeller.
Common Causes
- Suction strainer or filter clogged
- Suction line too long, too small, or has too many elbows
- Fluid temperature too high (reduces NPSH available)
- Pump running too far right on the curve (excessive flow)
- Suction isolation valve partially closed
Recommended Fix
- Check and clean the suction strainer.
- Measure suction pressure with a gauge — compare to the pump's NPSH required (from the pump curve).
- Verify the suction valve is fully open.
- If the fluid is hot, lower the temperature or increase the static head on the suction side.
- Throttle the discharge slightly to move the operating point left on the pump curve.
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