Which maintenance concern is associated with a centrifugal pump?

• A. Maintain clean intake and check impeller
• B. Gear wear and bearing condition
• C. Check seals and leakage
• D. Impeller balancing

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is maintaining the parts of a centrifugal pump that directly affect flow and efficiency. Keeping the intake clean is crucial because debris, solids, or sediment in the suction side can restrict flow, cause clogging, and lead to cavitation. Cavitation damages the impeller and erodes surfaces, which lowers head and efficiency and can increase vibration. Checking the impeller itself for wear, cracks, or erosion ensures it’s delivering the designed head and flow and helps prevent sudden failures.

The other concerns are important for pumps in general, but they’re not as specific to the typical maintenance focus of a centrifugal pump. Seals and leakage matter, but leaks are not the primary factor driving performance issues like flow and head. Impeller balancing is important to minimize vibration, but balancing problems often stem from or are worsened by an upstream issue like debris or impeller wear. Gear wear relates to gear-type pumps, not centrifugal pumps, which rely on impeller geometry and suction cleanliness for performance.