Stages in the Pump

"Stages in the pump" often refers the number of smaller pump sections contained within one housing usually connected in series.

A centrifugal pump and its associated parts are considered as one stage. Put three of them within one housing, feeding from one outlet to the intake of the next, and it would be a three stage pump. This is usually done to increase the output pressure of the pump. If each stage contributes an increase of 50psi. The before mentioned three stage pump would have an output of 150psi Stage one 0-->50psi; stage two 50-->100psi; stage two 100psi-->150psi,

Many fire pumper trucks are equipped with a two stage pump that can be controlled to either run the stages in either parallel or in series. If high volume is needed they are put in parallel for higher gallons/minute and lower pressure. If higher pressures are needed the stages are put in series for higher pressure and half the volume. For example: in parallel, 2,000gpm @150psi; in series, 1,000gpm @ 300psi. The change is facilitated by moving a separator that opens or closes a separator between stages.

Good Luck, Old Salt

Pump stages refer to the number of impellers within a pump housing. Each impeller is designed to impart pressure and deliver water. The more staging the higher the pressure but the less the output. Submersible pumps will have multiple stages to deliver water from deep below the ground. A submersible used as a sump pump may only have one stage. Centrifugal pumps can contain multiple impellers in the same method.