FAQ – Product information What is the difference between garden pumps, booster pumps with pressure tank, and electronic booster pumps?All three types of pump are deployed when process water is used in private households. They draw in water and deliver it under pressure. Operating pressures are of the same order as a typical house water supply. Garden pumps are mobile and are used outdoors for watering gardens and cleaning. Garden pumps have to be switched off manually if no water is drawn in for several minutes. They can be retrofitted with additional control devices to make them switch off automatically.
Electronic booster pumps and booster pumps with a pressure tank are usually installed indoors to enable process water to be used for WC flushing, washing machines or cleaning. They are connected to a separate, dedicated system of pipes.
Electronic booster pumps and booster pumps with a pressure tank cut out automatically when the water outlet is turned off.
Booster pumps with pressure tanks have a pressurised tank. The tank works as a puffer storage. The pump is not switching on and off repeatedly when small amounts of water are used (e.g. for flushing toilets, washing machines, etc.).
Electronic booster pumps are more compact and can be used outdoors as garden pumps. They are especially suitable for use when water is drawn for extended periods and constantly high pressure is required (e.g. for watering with a sprinkler).
What size or capacity of booster pump must I buy to meet my needs?The main decision-making criteria are the required flow rate and pressure (respectively the delivery head, 1 bar = 10 metres). You can select the appropriate pump by checking it against the pump performance curve. The values must be on or above the curve. The required flow rate is taken to be 50% of the water consumed at all water withdraw points that are used simultaneously. For comparison purposes, you need the figure in litres per hour (e.g. washing machine 10 l/min + WC 4l/min = 14 l/min x 60 min = 840 l/h).
The required delivery head is calculated as follows:
Suction lift (difference in altitude from the water surface to the pump in metres, e.g. 3 m)
+ Pumping height (difference in altitude from the pump to the highest water outlet point, e.g. 5 m)
+ Operating pressure required in water column metres. (e.g. 1,5 bar = 15 m)
To take into account losses in the piping and resistance due to connectors, add 15% to the total (e.g. 3m + 5m + 15m = 23 m + 15% = 26.5m = 2.65 bar)
How much energy do booster pumps consume (including on standby)?The average energy consumption per 1 m³ water delivered is 1 kilowatt hour (kWh). Kärcher booster pumps (BPP models) consume no electricity on standby. The pressure switch disconnects the motor from the mains.
The standby consumption of Kärcher booster pumps electronic (BPE models) is 1 Watt. The electronic system monitors the pipeline pressure continuously so that the pump switches on as and when required.
What liquids can be pumped with Kärcher booster pumps?Kärcher booster pumps are designed to pump process water, well water, spring water, rainwater and water from swimming pools (provided that additives have been dosed as intended). They are not certified for drinking water delivery. If water is sandy, use an additional prefilter.
Aggressive, corrosive, easily combustible or explosive substances may not be pumped.
Can Kärcher booster pumps be used to pump drinking water?Kärcher booster pumps and accessories are not certified for drinking water delivery and cannot be recommended for this purpose. Therefore separate pipes must be installed to separate the process water usage from the drinking water system.
Can you use a Kärcher booster pump to pump hot water?The temperature of intake water must not exceed 35°C.
Are Kärcher booster pumps frost-proof?Booster pumps with must be stored or installed in a dry, frost-proof place.
From what depth can Kärcher booster pumps draw water?Kärcher booster pumps can draw water from a maximum depth of 8 metres.
NB: The greater the suction hight, the lower the flow rate. Performance data varies from model to model, see catalogue.
What is the operating pressure of Kärcher booster pumps?The normal operating pressure on the water outlet devices is about 2 to 4 bar. The pump operating pressure is higher, but losses due to the suction and pumping height, pipe diameters and pipe lengths have all an impact on the pump’s operating pressure.
How noisy is a booster pump?Depending on the model, the sound intensity level of the pumps is between 65 and 72 dB(A). The sound power level is between 75 and 83 dB(A). To reduce operating noise transmission, flexible, pressure-tight couplings must be used to connect the pump to rigid pipes. The pump must stand on a vibration-reducing underlay (e.g. a rubber mat).
Does a Kärcher booster pump cut out when the tap is turned off, or does the pump always have to be switched off?
Booster pumps with pressurised tank and electronic booster pumps switch on and off automatically. During extended periods of absence (e.g. on holiday) we recommend interrupting the power supply.
Are there Kärcher wall brackets for Kärcher booster pumps (BPE / BPP)?No special wall bracket is required for fixing Kärcher pumps, so we do not make or supply one. You can mount the pump on a simple wall bracket with two metal angles and a waterproof board at least 2 cm thick. Pay attention to stability and weight-holding capacity (weight of pump with water x 2 to make sure). Leave a space of least 3-5 cm on all sides. If need be, use a sound-absorbing mat as an underlay. This will give you additional sound insulation. Ensure that the pump is level, using a spirit level to adjust as necessary.
What maintenance do booster pumps require (BPE / BPP)?Kärcher booster pumps electronic and booster pumps with pressure tank are maintenance-free. We recommend checking the pipe connections at least once year to ensure there is no loosening or leakage. The filter of the pump prefilter should also be checked regularly for soiling and cleaned of any visible dirt.
In the case of the BPP booster pumps we recommend checking the pressure of the air in the storage tank at least once a year (target value 1.8–2.0 bar). |
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