NOTE: The information contained in this book is intended to
assist operating personnel by providing information about the
characteristics of the purchased equipment.
It does not relieve the user of their responsibility of using
accepted engineering practices in the installation, operation,
and maintenance of this equipment.
For additional questions, contact
BELL & GOSSETT
(847) 966-3700.
http://www.bellgossett.com
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ii
INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION
The Series VSX centrifugal pumps are framemounted pumps that feature high efficiency,
rugged construction, compact design, footmounted volute, alignment-friendly coupling, and
unitized seals. These features, along with the
vertically split case make installation, operation,
and service easy to perform.
PUMP APPLICATION
The standard Series VSX centrifugal pump’s
bronze fitted construction makes it ideal for service
with the following liquids: hydronic cooling or
heating, boiler feed water, condensate, pressure
boosting, general pumping, unheated domestic
and fresh water, and benign liquids.
For other applications contact your local Bell &
Gossett representative.
OPERATIONAL LIMITS
Unless special provisions have been made for
your pump by Bell & Gossett, the operational limits
for Series VSX pumps are as follows:
Maximum Suction Pressure
Table 1 shows the maximum suction
pressures allowed for pump size and seal
type:
Mechanical Seals
NOTE: For use on closed or open systems
that are relatively free of dirt and/or other
abrasive particles.
°
Unitized EPR/Car/SiC: 0
F to 300°F
Temperature range; 6.5 to 8.5 pH range
°
Unitized Viton/Car/SiC: 0
F to 225°F
Temperature range; 6.5 to 8.5 pH range
°
Unitized EPR/Graphite Loaded SiC: 0
°
F Temperature range; 7 to 12.5 pH range
300
Balanced EPR/Graphite Loaded SiC: 0
°
F Temperature range; 7 to 12.5 pH range
300
Balanced Viton/Graphite Loaded SiC: 0
°
F Temperature range; 7 to 12.5 pH range
225
CAUTION: Equipment Damage
F to
°
F to
°
F to
To prevent premature seal failure or possible
injury, the unitized seals should not be used as an
alternate or substitute for the balanced seals
installed in a high suction pressure rated VSX
pump.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious property damage and/or moderate
personal injury.
Packing
NOTE: For use on open or closed systems
that require a large amount of makeup water,
as well as systems that are subjected to
widely varying chemical conditions and solids
buildup.
Braided Graphite PTFE:
0°F to 200°F Temperature range; 7 to 9 pH
range
Maximum Working Pressure
Listed on pump nameplate.
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PUMP IDENTIFICATION
Bell & Gossett pumps are designated by a series
of numbers such as Series VSX, Model VSH,
VSC, or VSCS. The pump nameplate gives
identification and rating information as shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
Permanent records for this pump are referenced
by the serial number and it must be used with all
correspondence and spare parts orders.
Figure 1: Rating Plate
Figure 2: Suction Limitation
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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAFETY INSTRUCTION
This safety alert symbol will be used in this manual
and on the pump safety instruction decals to draw
attention to safety related instructions. When used
the safety alert symbol means ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED!
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
MAY RESULT IN A SAFETY HAZARD.
Your Series VSX pump should have the following
safety instruction decals located approximately as
shown. If the decals are missing or illegible
contact your local Bell & Gossett representative for
a replacement.
Figure 3: Safety Instruction Decals
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ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Electrical Safety
WARNING: Electrical Shock Hazard
Electrical connections to be made by a qualified
electrician in accordance with all applicable codes,
ordinances, and good practices.
WARNING: Rotating Components
Hazard
Do not operate the pump without all guards in
place.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
WARNING: Electrical Overload Hazard
Three-phase motors must have properly sized
heaters to provide overload and under voltage
protection. Single-phase motors have built-in
overload protectors.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage
Thermal Safety
WARNING: Extreme Temperature Hazard
If pump, motor, or piping are operating at
extremely high or low temperatures, guarding or
insulation is required.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
Mechanical Safety
WARNING: Unexpected Startup Hazard
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
WARNING: Excessive System Pressure
Hazard
The maximum working pressure of the pump is
listed on the nameplate. Do not exceed this
pressure.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
The heating of water and other fluids causes
volumetric expansion. The associated forces may
cause failure of system components and release
of high temperature fluids. This will be prevented
by installing properly sized and located
compression tanks and pressure relief valves.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
Disconnect and lockout power before servicing.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL
This manual is furnished to acquaint you with
some of the practical ways to install, operate, and
maintain this pump. Read it completely before any
installation, operation, or maintenance on your unit
and keep it handy for future reference.
Equipment cannot operate well without proper
care. To keep this unit at top efficiency, follow the
recommended installation and servicing
procedures outlined in this manual.
WARRANTY
Refer to your local representative for warranty
coverage.
RECEIVING THE PUMP
Check the pump for shortages and damage
immediately upon arrival. (An absolute must!)
Prompt reporting of any damage to the carrier’s
agent, with notations made on the freight bill, will
expedite satisfactory adjustment by the carrier.
Pumps and drivers are normally shipped from the
factory mounted on a base plate and painted with
primer and one finish coat. Couplings may either
be completely assembled or have the coupling
hubs mounted on the shafts and the connecting
members removed. When the connecting
members are removed, they will be packaged in a
separate container and shipped with the pump or
attached to the base plate.
LIFTING THE PUMP
WARNING: Falling Objects Hazard
Eyebolts or lifting lugs, if provided, are for lifting
only the components to which they are attached.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
If lifting of the entire pump is required, do so with
the slings placed under the base rails as shown in
Figure 4. The pump unit should be unloaded and
handled by lifting equally at four or more points on
the base plate.
Care must be taken to size the equipment for
unbalanced loads that may exist if the motor is not
mounted on the base at the time of lifting. The
motor may or may not be mounted at the factory.
Some pump, base, and driver assemblies may not
be safe to lift as a complete assembly. Damage to
the base plate may occur. If the driver has been
mounted on the base plate at the factory, it is safe
to lift the entire assembly. If the driver has not
been mounted at the factory, do not lift the entire
assembly consisting of the pump, base, and
driver. Instead lift the pump and base plate to its
final location without the driver. Then mount the
driver.
Shafts are in alignment when the unit is shipped;
however, due to shipping, the pumps may arrive
misaligned. Alignment must be established during
installation. Bell & Gossett has determined that
proper and correct alignment can only be made by
accepted erection practices. (See the
Foundation, Baseplate Setting, and Coupling
Alignment sections.)
TEMPORARY STORAGE
If the pump is not to be installed and operated
soon after arrival, store it in a clean, dry place
having slow, moderate changes in ambient
temperature. Rotate the shaft periodically to
coat the bearings with lubricant, to retard
oxidation and corrosion, and to reduce the
possibility of false brinelling of the bearings.
Figure 4: Sample Lifting Diagram
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LOCATION
Locate the pump so there is sufficient room for
inspection, maintenance, and service. If the use of
a hoist or tackle is needed, allow ample head
room. For outdoor installations, it is advisable to
shelter the pump unit.
WARNING: Falling Objects Hazard
Eyebolts or lifting lugs, if provided are for lifting
only the components to which they are attached.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
The best pump location for sound and vibration
absorption is on a concrete floor with subsoil
underneath. If the pump location is overhead,
special precautions should be undertaken to
reduce possible sound transmission. Consult a
sound specialist.
If the pump is not on a closed system, it should be
placed as near as possible to the source of the
liquid supply, and located to permit installation with
the fewest number of bends or elbows in the
suction pipe.
Important
Do not install and operate Bell & Gossett
Pumps, 3D Valves, Suction Diffusers, etc., in
closed systems unless the system is
constructed with properly sized safety
devices and control devices. Such devices
include the use of properly sized and located
pressure relief valves, compression tanks,
pressure controls, temperature controls, and
flow controls as appropriate. If the system
does not include these devices, consult the
responsible engineer or architect before
making pumps operational.
FOUNDATION
The concrete foundation or isolation pad must be
substantial enough to absorb vibration (Hydraulic Institute Standards recommends that the
foundation weigh at least five times the weight of
the pump unit). It must form a permanent and rigid
support for the base plate and should be built to
suit local conditions. This is important in
maintaining the alignment of the flexibly coupled
unit. Do not use the base as the isolation pad.
Foundation bolts of the proper size should be
embedded in the concrete with either of the
methods shown in Figure 6. See Table 2 for
anchor bolt hole and anchor bolt sizes. Allow the
foundation to cure for several days before
proceeding with the pump installation.
Figure 5: Pump Location
The installation must be evaluated to
determine that the Net Positive Suction Head
Available (NPSHA) meets or exceeds the Net
Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR), as
stated by the pump performance curve.
The pump must be primed before starting.
Whenever possible, the pump should be
located below the fluid level to facilitate
priming and ensure a steady flow of liquid.
This condition provides a positive suction
head on the pump. It may also be possible to
prime the pump by pressurizing the suction
vessel.
Figure 6: Foundation
Table 2: Anchor Bolt/Hole Sizes
Diameter of Anchor
Bolt Hole
Diameter of Anchor
Bolt
1.125” 1.000”
1.375” 1.250”
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BASE PLATE SETTING
Place the pump unit on its concrete foundation,
supporting it with steel wedges or shims. The
wedges or shims should be machined and be put
on both sides of each anchor bolt to provide a
means for leveling the base. The wedge or shim
width should be equal to or greater than the base
rail width. The length of the wedge or shim should
be at least four times the diameter of the anchor
bolt. It is acceptable to place additional shims
between the existing anchor bolts.
Use an anchor bolt for each anchor bolt hole
provided, and plain, flat Type-W washers at each
anchor bolt.
CAUTION: Equipment Damage
Use an anchor bolt and plain, flat Type-W washer
at each anchor bolt hole. Otherwise, shifting of the
pump unit may occur.
Figure 7: Setting Base Plate
ROTATION
The Series VSX pump is available in both rightand left-hand rotation. An arrow cast into the pump
body shows the direction of rotation.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious property damage and/or moderate
personal injury.
It is very important that the pump base be set level
to avoid any mechanical difficulties with the motor
or pump. This pump was properly aligned (if
furnished with a motor) at the factory. However,
since all pump bases are flexible, they may spring
and twist during shipment. Do not pipe the pump
until it is realigned. After piping is completed and
after the pump is installed and bolted down, align it
again. It may be necessary to re-adjust the
alignment from time to time while the unit and
foundation are new.
Optional Grouting
It is permissible to grout the base after the
pump unit has been leveled, securely bolted
to the floor, and properly aligned. A good
grade of non-shrinking grout should be used
inside the pump base.
COUPLING ALIGNMENT
All alignment should be done by moving or
shimming the motor only. Adjustments in one
direction may alter alignment in another.
Therefore, check alignment in all directions after a
correction is made. All measurements should be
taken with the pump and motor bolts tightened.
Final alignment check should be made after the
unit has attained its final operating temperature.
WARNING: Unexpected Startup Hazard
Disconnect and lockout power before servicing.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in
serious personal injury or death, or property
damage.
1. Check the pump and motor shafts and
remove any paint, burrs, rust, etc. Slide
the hubs (and bushings, QD or TaperLock style) on the shafts with keys.
2. When high speed rings are used for
spacer couplings, loosely install one ring
on each half element.
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3. Hold one half element on the hubs to
determine the appropriate hub spacing. If
using spacer elements with high speed
rings, hold both half elements on the hubs
to make sure the hubs do not interfere
with the rings. The hubs may be installed
with the hub extension facing in or out.
Make sure the shaft extends into the hubs
at least .8 times the diameter of the shaft.
4. Lightly fasten the hubs to the shafts to
prevent them from moving during
alignment.
5. The hubs should be aligned to at least the
values shown in Figure 10 for allowable
misalignments. Alignment may be done
with lasers, dial indicators, or with a
straight edge and calipers.
To align using straight edge and calipers
Angular misalignment may be checked by
using a caliper to gauge the distance
between the two hubs at various points
around the circumference. Do not rotate the shafts. Reposition the equipment until the
difference between the minimum and
maximum distance values is within the
permissible value.
Figure 8: Checking Alignment with
Straight Edge
Angular misalignment may also be checked
by inserting feeler gauges between the
coupling faces at various points around the
circumference. Do not rotate the shafts.
Reposition the equipment until the difference
between the minimum and maximum
distance values is within the permissible
value.
Parallel alignment may be checked by placing
a straight edge across the two hubs and
measuring the maximum offset at various
points around the periphery of the hubs. Donot rotate the shafts. Reposition equipment
until the offset is within the permissible value.
Figure 9: Checking Alignment with Calipers
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Figure 10: Maximum Allowable Misalignment for Wood’s Duraflex®1 Couplings
Example: A WE10 coupling with a 3° angular
misalignment will have a .191” difference in
measurements between L1 and L2. (See Figure
Angular misalignment may be checked by
mounting the dial indicator base to one
coupling half, or shaft, and positioning the dial
indicator button on the front face or rear face
of the opposite coupling half. Scribe index
lines on coupling halves as shown in Figure
11. Set the dial to zero. Rotate both coupling
halves together, making sure the index lines
remain matched. Reposition the equipment
until the offset is within the permissible value.
Parallel misalignment may be checked by
mounting the dial indicator base to one
coupling half, or shaft, and positioning the dial
indicator button on the outside diameter of
the opposite coupling half. Set the dial to
zero. Rotate both coupling halves together,
making sure the index lines remain matched.
Reposition the equipment until the offset is
within the permissible value.
Figure 11: Checking Alignment with
Dial Indicators
6. Recheck the hubs to be certain both
angular and parallel alignments are still
within the values given in Figure 10.
7. Loosen the set screw on the pump hub.
Loosely install one half element opposite
the hub set screws. Torque both hub set
screws to the value shown in Table 4. For
QD or Taper-Lock hubs, follow the
instructions supplied with the bushings.
Loosely install the other half element onto
the hubs. Install capscrews on the highspeed rings. If the capscrews and the
holes in the elements do not line up
1
Duraflex is a registered trademark of T.B. Wood’s, Inc.
9
properly due to hub misalignment, rotate
the shafts slightly. Torque all element and
high speed ring capscrews to the values
shown in Table 4. If possible, recheck
angular and parallel alignments.
WARNING: Flying Objects Hazard
Coupling capscrews and set screws are to be
installed using torque wrench or other torque
measuring device. Hardware not installed per
the listed torque values may become loose
and dislodge from coupling assembly.
Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious personal injury or death, or
property damage.
8. Capscrews supplied with the coupling
have a thread lock coating that aids in
resisting loosening from vibration. The
capscrews should not be reused more
than four times or if the coating is absent.
Replacement capscrews are to be
purchased through your local Bell &
Gossett representative.
WARNING: Flying Objects Hazard
Capscrews with damaged or absent thread
lock coating should be not be used.
Otherwise the required counterforce will not
be achieved and hardware may become
loose and dislodge from coupling assembly.
Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious personal injury or death, or
property damage.