The provided manual describes the Crane Pumps & Systems Break Away Fitting (BAF) for Submersible Pumps, an engineered component designed to facilitate the installation, removal, and maintenance of submersible pumps in wet well, tank, or lift station applications. The BAF allows a submersible pump to be lowered onto and sealed with a stationary discharge elbow without requiring personnel to enter the wet well, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Function Description:
The Break Away Fitting consists of a cast iron base elbow, which is bolted to the floor of the wet well, and a cast iron movable elbow (referred to as the "sliding elbow"). The movable elbow, attached to the submersible pump, is designed to ride up and down guide rails. When the pump is lowered, the movable elbow connects to the base elbow, forming a sealed discharge connection via a sealing plate with an O-ring seat. This design allows for easy installation and retrieval of the pump for service or inspection without disconnecting piping or entering the wet well.
The manual details two main categories of BAF models:
- Models Without Check Valve: These models are designed for applications where a check valve is either not required or is integrated elsewhere in the discharge piping system.
- Models With Check Valve (BAF-CV): These models incorporate a flap check valve and a clean-out cap directly into the movable elbow, providing backflow prevention and easy access for maintenance within the BAF assembly itself.
Guide rails, typically 1" (25mm) schedule 40 galvanized or stainless steel pipe, are crucial for guiding the movable elbow and pump. It's important to note that the guide rails only provide guidance and do not bear the pump's weight; the pump's weight is supported by a lifting chain.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Material: Cast iron for base and movable elbows. "NS" (Non-Standard) models feature bronze components for specific parts (e.g., sliding elbow, companion flange), as indicated in the parts list.
- Guide Rails: 1" (25mm) schedule 40 Galvanized or Stainless Steel pipe (supplied separately).
- Discharge Sizes: The manual lists models for 1¼", 2", and 3" discharge sizes.
- BAF-1212, BAF-1220, BAF-2020 Series: Inlet/Discharge sizes include 1¼" and 2".
- BAF-2030, BAF-3030 Series: Inlet/Discharge sizes include 2" and 3".
- Pump Weight Capacity: Compatible with pumps not exceeding 200 lbs (91 kg).
- Total Dynamic Head (TDH) Capacity: Suitable for operation above 150 ft (45 meters) TDH.
- Intermediate Guide Pipe Bracket: Recommended for depths of 13 feet (4M) or more to support the guide rails.
- Anchor Bolts: Stationary elbow requires four anchor bolts (e.g., 0.50" x 5.50") set in concrete.
- Thread Locking Compound: Recommended for bolted joints to ensure secure connections. Specific grades (e.g., Loctite 242/RC609, Perma-Loc MM5/HM128, Staloc T42/T70) are suggested for general purpose and high-strength applications.
- O-rings: Various O-ring sizes and materials (Buna, 18-8 S.S.) are specified for sealing.
Usage Features:
- Ease of Installation and Removal: The break away design allows for quick and easy installation and retrieval of submersible pumps without requiring entry into the wet well, significantly reducing downtime and labor costs.
- Guided Operation: Guide rails ensure precise alignment of the pump and movable elbow with the stationary base elbow during lowering and lifting.
- Self-Sealing Connection: The O-ring seat on the sealing plate ensures a watertight connection between the movable and base elbows when the pump is in position.
- Integrated Check Valve (BAF-CV models): Provides backflow prevention directly at the pump discharge, simplifying piping design and offering convenient access for check valve maintenance via a clean-out cap.
- Durability: Constructed from high-quality castings, designed for years of continuous service in demanding wastewater environments.
- Versatility: Can be used with various submersible pumps, provided they meet the specified weight and discharge size criteria.
- Safety: Minimizes the need for confined space entry, enhancing worker safety. The manual emphasizes numerous safety precautions, including proper grounding, lockout/tagout procedures, and warnings against operating pumps without safety devices.
Maintenance Features:
- Simplified Pump Retrieval: The primary maintenance feature is the ability to easily lift the pump and its attached movable elbow out of the wet well for service, inspection, or repair without disturbing the fixed discharge piping.
- Check Valve Access (BAF-CV models): The clean-out cap on BAF-CV models allows for inspection and maintenance of the integrated flap check valve without disassembling the entire unit or removing the pump from the wet well (though the pump would still need to be lifted for full access to the movable elbow).
- Component Replacement: The detailed sectional drawings and parts lists (including part numbers and materials) facilitate the identification and replacement of individual components, such as O-rings, screws, and the sliding elbow itself, ensuring long-term serviceability.
- Rust Prevention: For long-term storage, recoating scratched surfaces and spraying with rust-inhibiting oil is recommended to prevent corrosion.
- Regular Inspection: The manual implies regular inspection of the unit, particularly for damage or wear, to ensure continued reliable operation.
The manual also includes critical safety information, general information on receiving and storage, and details on Crane Pumps & Systems service centers, emphasizing the importance of reading all instructions before operation and adhering to safety protocols. It also highlights the company's continuous product improvement program, reserving the right to change products without prior notification.
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