Page 170 - Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps

Pump and Motor Alignment

Fiaure 10-15

Equipment alignment sequence

Develop and practice the following alignment sequence.

Typical Steps
Secure the pump to the base
Always begin with the thinnest shims
Use the minimum number of shims under any foot.

Pump Motor
Fiaure 10-16

Cou pl i ng a I ig n men t

Don’t use a flexible coupling to compensate for misalignment between
the pump and motor shafts. The purpose of the flexible coupling is to
compensate for temperature changes and to permit some axial
movement of the shafts without interference, while they transfer energy
fiom the motor to the pump.

There should be enough space between the coupling halves so that they
don’t touch should the motor shaft move forward toward the pump.
This space should also consider movement due to wear in the pump
thrust bearing. The coupling manufacturer specifies the minimum

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