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Welcome to Inspector Pumphead’s Classroom! In this series, I will discuss various aspects of pumps, pumping technology and the pump industry. I'm here to school you on pumps. So pull up a chair, open up your notebook and grab a pen - it’s time for class! Wastewater Graywater or effluent is “used” water that does not touch any urine or fecal matter. Most of the water fixtures in your home will produce graywater. Sinks, washing machines, laundry discharge, shower water - all of that is considered graywater. Different pump types are capable of handling graywater and the solids therein; in a general sense, effluent pumps, sump pumps and dewatering pumps are capable of handling graywater. While we always recommend that you purchase a pump matched specifically to your application, there is some crossover. A good example is the Zoeller 53-0001 Mighty Mate which is listed as an effluent pump but can also be used for general dewatering applications. A good rule of thumb to remember is that effluent pumps are capable of handling up to ¾” solids.  This is good because things such as soap scum, oil, grease, laundry detergent residue and other particulates often accumulate in the wide variety of water fixtures that produce graywater. Sewage, by contrast is typically only produced in toilets, at least at the residential level. Sewage is defined as any used water which is touched by human waste like urine and fecal matter. Unlike graywater, which is recycled through usable systems, sewage water is exported for treatment. This exported sewage can go to either a septic tank or a city sewer line.  As would be expected, you need a sewage pump to pump sewage out of your home or building if you do not have a gravity line. Sewage pumps are built to handle and transport 2” diameter waste solids. Grinder pumps are a subcategory of sewage pumps equipped with a cutting system that chops waste solids into a fine slurry for higher head export. Unlike the crossover effect with effluent pumps,sewage and grinder pumps should really only be used for sewage water. So if you didn’t know before, you now know the difference between graywater and sewage water and what type of pump you need for each. Knowing is half the battle - that’s the promise of Inspector Pumphead’s classroom baby! Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

Welcome to Inspector Pumphead’s Classroom! In this series, I will discuss various aspects of pumps, pumping technology and the pump industry. I'm here to school you on pumps! I will also share stories about the intense training that my disciples, as well as my application engineers, received. Many manufacturers often send representatives to help our staff better understand certain products and how they can help the customer.  So pull up a chair, open up your notebook and grab a pen - it’s time for class! Training With Ion Technologies Pump Products staff recently attended a training seminar with a representative from Ion Technologies. Ion is one of Pump Products newest manufacturing partners and this session allowed our application engineers, marketing and web staff gain a better understanding of the strengths and features of certain Ion products. Ion Rep Carla gave an informative presentation on both the history and current efforts of the company. Ion originally began as a switch manufacturer for other companies, eventually moving into manufacturing pumps and systems.  Ion created a distinctive bell-shaped switch that Ion is still currently known for. Despite the appearance, these are not diaphragm switches. The Ion switch uses the same technology found in post office scales to measure pressure and water levels. Since the detection technology is built into the switch, it does not need the room to swing like other tethered switches, instead it simply hangs straight down. A piggyback switch with an alarm is also available. When the water level reaches 6”, the switch activates the pump. If the water reaches 8 ½”, the alarm will activate. In many ways, the switches are still Ion’s signature but they have greatly expanded their range of products. The training session concentrated specifically on Ion’s line of basement sump pumps, which are some of the most popular Ion products, specifically the StormPro series. Sump Pumps and Backups StormPro sump pumps are powerful but compact, better to fit on the floor of a basin. Built for basic sump and dewatering applications, StormPro pumps are made of cast iron and stainless steel and include a thermoplastic vortex impeller for passing solids. The StormPro series is a solid, easy to install residential pump. One of the most interesting pieces on display was the Sumpro battery backup system. Instead of using an additional pump with a battery, the primary pump plugs into the inverter box which is connected to a wall outlet. The inverter takes the current and charges the battery, which only kicks on when the power cuts out. This ensures that your primary pump can pump at its true capacity for the full battery life of (9 to 12 hours). Ion also sells stands to keep the inverter dry. Different battery brands can also be inserted into the inverter box as long as they fit. A more traditional duplex backup system with two pumps was also featured, as was the Ion Genesis controller. Carla stressed that while many residential customers preferred the convenience of an all-in-one system, the different parts of the system are available for a la carte purchase as well. It all comes down to customer preference. Ion also features a 3-year warranty from the date of manufacture for most of its products. “We almost never have a problem with the warranty process,” Carla said. “If an issue comes up, we make sure to take care of our customers.” It was an informative session that helped Pump Products application engineers better understand the products of a partner and be able to communicate those benefits to customers. Many more sessions like this will be held in the future. It’s all about increasing knowledge and improving customer service. Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.