If cavitation is occurring, what is the recommended action?

• A. Increase pump speed
• B. Ignore the cavitation
• C. Replace pump
• D. Contact the consultant or pump service representative to determine the cause and corrective actions

Answer: (D)

Cavitation means the pump suction is experiencing conditions that drop pressure below the liquid’s vapor pressure, creating bubbles that collapse with damaging shock waves as the fluid moves. The appropriate step is to involve a qualified consultant or pump service representative to diagnose the root cause and decide the corrective actions, because Cavitation can be caused by issues like insufficient suction head, air leaks, clogged strainers, improper valve settings, or temperature and vapor-pressure changes, and fixing it safely requires expert assessment and specific adjustments. Increasing pump speed is not advisable since it often worsens cavitation by increasing flow demand and reducing the available suction head. Ignoring the symptom can lead to rapid wear or catastrophic failure, and replacing the pump without understanding the cause may not resolve the underlying problem.