What describes the standard priming procedure for a centrifugal pump drawing from a static water source?

What describes the standard priming procedure for a centrifugal pump drawing from a static water source?

• A. Keep suction line filled; operate primer to evacuate air.
• B. Proceed without priming.
• C. Ensure suction line filled, operate primer to evacuate air, confirm prime by suction gauge or water in pump, then bring pump to operating speed.
• D. Prime by pouring water directly into the discharge.

Answer: (C)

When drawing from a static water source, a centrifugal pump must be primed so air is removed from the suction line and the pump itself before water can be drawn effectively. The standard procedure starts by making sure the suction line is filled with water to eliminate air pockets, then using the primer to evacuate any remaining air from both the pump and the suction piping. Once the air is cleared, you verify that the pump is primed—often by observing a suction gauge reading or by seeing water in the pump—before bringing the pump up to operating speed. This sequence prevents air locks and ensures a continuous flow from a still source, which a centrifugal pump cannot achieve without proper priming. The best approach includes all these steps: suction line filled, primer used to evacuate air, prime confirmed, then accelerate to running speed. Other options omit essential parts of the process or rely on an ineffective method, which would fail to establish or maintain a proper prime.