The Pump Parade
| There are a wide selection of pumps available, but not all are suitable for every application. Pump manufacturers provide performance tables showing water flow rates and maximum lift or head for each pump. Selection should be based primarily, but not completely, upon the flow rate and lift, or head, necessary to create the water features desired, but as will be seen in the pages that follow, there are many different kinds of pumps with a variety of features. These will also influence decisions.
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The Power Supply
For surface pumps and many submersible pumps a permanent armoured cable is necessary and should be switched at a point inside the house. It is sensible to use a residual current device to isolate the plug from the socket if the cable is damaged or a short circuit occurs.
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Advice upon the cable and the suitability of power should always be sought from a qualified electrician. Any electrical equipment that is used in the garden, particularly under water, is potentially very dangerous unless professional advice is obtained and suitable precautions taken.
Armoured cable should be laid in a trench that is at least 60cm deep.
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| It is best to lay it on a shallow bed of sand and then cover it with tiles. On top of these stretch a strip of brightly coloured warning tape. It is also useful to draw a sketch plan of where the cable goes for future reference. The connection to the pump must be made with suitable outdoor fittings.
Low voltage pumps are very safe and only need a 24volt cable wired through a transformer to operate them. The cable does not have to be buried and can be concealed amongst plants on its way to the pump.
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It is wise to run it through electrical conduit where it passes under a pathway or anywhere else where damage may occur. Solar power is another alternative. Economical and very environmentally friendly, it does depend upon a generous supply of sunshine for a pump to function consistently and efficiently. However, for most gardeners it is a viable option using present-day high-tech solar panels, and these need not be too intrusive.
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Pump Selection
The selection of pumps in the Pump Parade demonstrates the breadth of the range that are available. Our presentation of these models does not indicate any endorsement of a particular manufacturer and is merely a convenience for the water gardener. Details of pumps from other manufacturers or distributors are always welcomed where there are significant differences in either physical appearance of performance.
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