The Pump Curve and The Tag
Module 8 · ~12 min
See the flow-versus-pressure trade for yourself — and learn to judge how much pump you have left using the rated-capacity tag.
The Pump Curve and The Tag
The Pump Creates Flow, Not Pressure
In Pump Basics you saw that opening a discharge drops master pressure. Here is the deeper truth behind it: a centrifugal pump's job is to MOVE WATER — to create flow. Pressure is what shows up when that moving water meets resistance: hose friction, a nozzle, elevation. Demand more flow from the impeller at the same speed, and there is less energy left over to show up as pressure.