Installation; Location; Selection Of Pump And Piping - Pentair WATERFALL AFP-75 Installation And User Manual

2

INSTALLATION

Location

Be sure the Waterfall Specialty Pump location meets
™
the following requirements:
Note: Do not install this pump within an outer
enclosure or beneath the skirt of a hot tub or spa
unless marked accordingly.
1. Install the pump as close to the pool or spa as
possible. To reduce friction loss and improve
efficiency use short, direct suction piping returns.
2. Install a minimum of 5 feet (1.5 meters) from
the inside wall of the pool or spa. Canadian
installations require a minimum of 9.8 feet (3
meters) from pool water.
3. Install the pump a minimum of 3 feet (0.9 meters) from the heater outlet.
4. Do not install the pump more than 5 feet (1.5 m) above the water level.
5. Install the pump in a well ventilated location protected from excessive moisture (i.e., rain gutter downspouts,
sprinklers, etc.).
6. Install the pump with a rear clearance of at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) so that the motor can be removed easily for
maintenance and repair. A vertical clearance of 12 inches (30.5 cm) is required for strainer basket removal. See
Figure 1.

Selection of Pump and Piping

Many installations require that the pump elevate the water several feet to supply a waterfall or similar water feature.
This lifting requires energy and therefore reduces the amount of flow the pump can deliver. See Table 1 for estimates
on flow loss.
It is always recommended that the total system head loss be calculated and compared to the pump performance
curve before the pump and plumbing sizes are selected. However, Table 2 can be used as a quick guide to pump
selection and pipe sizing on simple installations.
Table 1: Effect of Elevation Change on Flow
Elevation
Effect on Flow
Change
Negligible reduction in flow if plumbed according to
Under 2'
guidelines.
Slight reduction in flow if plumbed according to
2' - 4'
guidelines.
Flow reduced to 50-90% of maximum rating,
depending on exact elevation and system
4' - 10'
installation. Must determine plumbing system head
loss to estimate flow.
Not usually recommended. Flow may be reduced
10' - 15' to 50% or less of maximum rating. This loss may be
acceptable in certain low-flow applications.
Not recommended. No flow possible above 27' of
Above 15'
elevation change.
WATERFALL™ Specialty Pump Installation and User's Guide
12 IN. (30.5 CM)
MIN. VERTICAL
CLEARANCE
5x SUCTION
PIPE DIAMETER
ELBOW
Table 2: Plumbing Size Recommendations
Pump Maximum*
Model Rated Flow Plumbing Size
AF-75
75 GPM
AFP-75
AF-120
120 GPM
AFP-120
AFP-150 150 GPM
* Maximum Rated Flow is the approximate flow the pump can discharge through a
short system of "high flow plumbing size" pipe. The pump will produce lower flow
rates if it has to raise water to a higher elevation and/or circulate water through a
long piping system.
** Minimum Plumbing Size may be used on installations where the plumbing
system is very short and direct, with few fittings or elbows. In applications, where
it is important to achieve the maximum possible flow, always use the larger "High
Flow Plumbing Size".
Figure 1
3 IN.
(7.6 CM)
MINIMUM
REAR CLEARANCE
Minimum** High Flow
Plumbing Size
1-1/2" 2"
2" 2-1/2"
2-1/2" 3"