7

Efficiency testing methods for

centrifugal pumps

Abstract: The calculation formula for the efficiency of

centrifugal pumps is presented. The influence variables on the
efficiency of centrifugal pumps are introduced. The international
testing standard for pump performance – ISO 9906 – is given.
Finally, the testing rig for pump performance is introduced.

Key words: efficiency formula, pump, testing standard,

testing rig.

7.1 Efficiency of pumps

Centrifugal pump performances are tested by using clean
cold water or viscous oil. Pump efficiency is determined by
principally two parameters, head and flow rate, in addition
to other factors such as properties of the fluid, impeller
design and motor speed selected.
Pumps are driven by an electric motor; the pump input
power can be calculated from:

Pin = Tω (7.1)

where T is the torque, Nm; ω is the angular velocity, rad/s.

The power output of pumps is mechanical power
transferred to the liquid during its passage through the
pump. It can be calculated by:

125
Electrical motor products

Pout = ρgQH (7.2)

where Q is the flow rate, m3/s; H is the pump head, m; and ρ
is the fluid density, kg/m3; g is acceleration due to gravity, m/s2.
Pump efficiency is expressed as pump power output divided
by the pump power input, so the overall pump efficiency can
be finally computed from the relationship:

(7.3)

The pump head is a term derived from the Bernoulli

formulation, an energy balance around the pump. It is
expressed as:

(7.4)

where the subscript 2 represents the value at the outlet of the

pump and the subscript 1 is the value at the inlet of the pump.
P is the pressure, V is the velocity, and Z is the height. In this
equation, the first term ‘P2 – P1/ρg’ is the pressure head, the
second term ‘V 22 – V12/2g’ is the velocity or kinetic head, and
the third term ‘Z2 – Z1’ is the height difference. If the diameter
of the outlet pipe is equal to the diameter at the inlet of the
pump, then V2 = V1. Also, if the pump is sufficiently small and
the height difference is small, equation 7.4 can be defined by:

Hρ = P2 – P1 (7.5)

Substituting equation 7.5 into equation 7.2 gives:

Pout = Q* (P2 – P1) (7.6)

The schematic of performance curves of pumps is shown in

Figure 7.1. It is equally important to select a pump whose
best efficiency point (BEP) falls as close as possible between
the specified rated flow (maximum demand flow rate) and
the normal flow (Figure 7.1). This will help to maximize
pumping efficiency (Shiels, 1998).

126
 Efficiency testing methods for centrifugal pumps

Figure 7.1 Schematic of performance curves of pump

All the parameters such as flow rate, total head and input
power will change if the speed is varied. It is important to
have an appreciation of how these parameters vary in order
to safely control a pump at different speeds. The relationships
of rotodynamic pump performance parameters of flow, head
and power absorbed to speed are known as the affinity laws.
The equations that explain these are known as affinity
laws. Flow rate (Q) is proportional to rotational speed
(N), Q ∝ N. Head (H) is proportional to the square of the
rotational speed, H ∝ N 2. Power absorbed (P) is proportional
to the cube of the rotational speed, P ∝ N3.

7.2 ISO 9906:1999

ISO 9906:1999 ‘Rotodynamic pumps – Hydraulic
performance acceptance tests – Grades 1 and 2’ contains two
grades of accuracy of measurement: grade 1 for higher
accuracy and grade 2 for lower accuracy (International
Standardization Organization, 1999). These grades include

127
Electrical motor products

different values for tolerance factors, for allowable

fluctuations and uncertainties of measurements. Pump inlet
and exit pressures are measured by two pressure transducers.
They have an accuracy of 0.5 per cent. The actual places of
the pressure transducers are selected according to ISO 2548.
Pumps are performance tested in accordance with ISO 9906
or corresponding test standards.

7.3 GB/T 3216–2005

GB/T 3216–2005 ‘Rotodynamic pumps – hydraulic
performance acceptance tests – grades 1 and 2’ is a China
standard modified from ISO 9906:1999 (Standardization
Administration of China, 2005).

7.4 Testing rig for pumps

The pump’s head, flow rate, current and power consumption
are measured and recorded by the testing software at rated
voltage and frequency. Pumps can be tested at all common
voltages and frequencies. The testing results are evaluated and
output as the characteristic curves of the pump. The schematic
of a pump test apparatus is shown in Figure 7.2. For each
quantity to be measured, Table 7.1 gives the permissible
amplitude of fluctuations of the measured parameters.

7.5 Conclusion
In this chapter, the energy-efficiency expressions for pumps
have been provided. The measuring parameters which

128
 Efficiency testing methods for centrifugal pumps

Figure 7.2 Schematic of a pump test apparatus

Permissible amplitude of fluctuations as a

Table 7.1
percentage of mean value of quantity being
measured

Measured quantity Permissible amplitude of fluctuations

Grade 1 % Grade 2 %
Flow rate ±3 ±6
Pump total head
Torque
Power input
Speed of rotation ±1 ±2
When using a differential pressure device to measure flow rate,
the permissible amplitude of the fluctuations of the observed
differential pressure shall be ±6 per cent for grade 1 and
±2 per cent for grade 2.
In the case of separate measurements of inlet total pressure and
outlet total pressure, the maximum permissible amplitude of
fluctuation shall be calculated on the pump total head.

129
Electrical motor products

determine the energy-efficiency for pumps have been pointed

out. The key measuring parameters in the energy-efficiency
testing for pumps are flow rate, head and input power. In
the same principle, the volume flow rate, fan power and the
static pressure rise are the key variables determining the
energy-efficiency of fans. The energy-efficiency test rigs for
pumps have been presented and discussed.

130
 References
Chapter 1
Almeida, A.T., Fonseca, P. and Bertoldi, P. (2003)
‘Energy-efficient motor systems in the industrial and in the
services sectors in the European Union: characterisation,
potentials, barriers and policies’. Energy. Vol. 28, No. 7,
pp. 673–690.
AMCA. (2010) Fan industry – facing up to the energy
challenges. Arlington Heights, Ill. AMCA. Available at:
http://www.amca.org/UserFiles/file/AMCA_2010Mike%20
Brendel.pdf (viewed 5 March 2011).
Kaya, D., Yagmur, E.A. and Yigit, K.S. (2008) ‘Energy
efficiency in pumps’. Energy Conversion and Management,
Vol. 49, pp. 662–673.
United Nations Foundation. (2007) Realizing the potential
of energy efficiency: targets, policies, and measures for G8
countries. Available at: http://sefi.unep.org/fileadmin/
media/sefi/docs/industry_reports/RPEE_Exec_Sum_-_
Updated_for_Web.pdf (viewed 4 March 2011).
World Pumps. (2009) A brief history of pumps. Press release.
23 March. World Pumps. Available at: http://www
.worldpumps.com/view/813/a-brief-history-of-pumps-/
(viewed 5 March 2011).

163
Electrical motor products

Chapter 2
Eskom. (2010) Blow the lid on ineffective energy usage:
efficiency in blower and fans. Available at: http://
www.eskomidm.co.za/wp-content/themes/eskom/pdfs/
Industrial/124538_Fans_Brochure.pdf (viewed 5 March
2011).
European Commission. (2009) Implementing Directive
2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for electric
motors. ((EC) No 640/2009). Brussels: The Commission
of the European Union.
Gulich, J.F. (2010) Centrifugal pumps. 2nd ed. Heidelberg:
Springer, p. 39.
Holopainena, T.P., Tenhunenb, A. and Arkkio, A.
(2005) ‘Electromechanical interaction in rotordynamics
of cage’. Journal of Sound and Vibration. Vol. 284,
pp. 733–755.
Kaya, D. (2003) ‘Experimental study on regaining the
tangential velocity energy of axial flow pump’. Energy
Conversion and Management. Vol. 44, No. 11, pp.
1817–1829.
Sujitjorn, S. and Areerak, K.-L. (2004) ‘Numerical approach
to loss minimization in an induction motor’. Applied
Energy. Vol. 79, pp. 87–96.
United Nations Environment Program. (2006) Electrical
energy equipment: fans and blowers. Available at: http://
www.energyefficiencyasia.org/docs/ee_modules/Chapter
-Fans%20and%20Blowers.pdf (viewed 5 March 2011).
US DOE. (2003) Improving fan system performance:
a sourcebook for industry. Available at: http://www
.cedengineering.com/upload/Improving%20Fan%20
System%20Performance.pdf (viewed 5 March 2011).

164
 References

Chapter 3
Mahlia, T.M.I., Masjuki, H.H. and Choudhury, I.A.
(2002) ‘Theory of energy efficiency standards and labels’.
Energy Conversion and Management. Vol. 43, No. 6,
pp. 743–761.
Wiel, S. and McMahon, J.E. (2003) ‘Governments should
implement energy-efficiency standards and labels –
cautiously’. Energy Policy. Vol. 31, pp. 1403–1453.
Yanti, P.A.A. and Mahlia, T.M.I. (2009) ‘Considerations
for the selection of an applicable energy efficiency test
procedure for electric motors in Malaysia: lessons for
other developing countries’. Energy Policy. Vol. 37,
pp. 3467–3474.

Chapter 4
Air Movement and Control Association. (2007) Laboratory
method of testing fans for aerodynamic performance
rating. AMCA Standard 210. Arlington Heights, Ill.: Air
Movement and Control Association.
Europump. (2003) European guide to pump efficiency for
single stage centrifugal pumps. Available at: http://re.jrc
.ec.europa.eu/energyefficiency/motorchallenge/pdf/EU_
pumpguide_final.pdf (viewed 5 March 2011).
National Electrical Manufacturers Association. (2009)
NEMA MG 1 Motors and Generators. NEMA Standards
Publication MG 1-2009, Revision 1. Rosslyn, Virginia:
National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Standardization Administration of China. (2006) Limited
values of energy efficiency and evaluating values of
energy conservation of small and medium three-phase

165
Electrical motor products

asynchronous motors. GB 18613-2006. Beijing:

Standardization Administration of China.
Standardization Administration of China. (2010) Minimum
allowable values of energy efficiency and values of efficiency
grade for small-power motors. Available at: http://members
.wto.org/crnattachments/2010/tbt/chn/10_2993_00_x.pdf
(viewed 5 March 2011).

Chapter 5
Angrisani, L., D’Apuzzo, M. and Moriello, R.S.L. (2006)
‘Unscented transform: a powerful tool for measurement
uncertainty evaluation’. IEEE Transactions on
Instrumentation and Measurement. Vol. 55, No. 3,
pp. 737–743.
Deldossi, L. and Zappa, D. (2009) ‘ISO 5725 and GUM:
comparison and comments’. Accreditation and Quality
Assurance. Vol. 14, pp. 159–166.
Dunn, P.F. (2010) Measurement and data analysis for
engineering and science. 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press.
Fink, K. (2004) Knowledge potential measurement and
uncertainty. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitats-Verlag,
pp. 189–191.
Fraden, J. (2005) Handbook of modern sensors: physics,
designs, and applications. 3rd ed. New York: Springer,
pp. 51–52.
International Organization for Standardization. (1993)
Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement.
ISO/IEC Guide 98:1993. Geneva: International
Organization for Standardization.
Kessel, W. (2002) ‘Measurement uncertainty according
to ISO/BIPM-GUM’. Thermochimica Acta. Vol. 382,
pp. 1–16.

166
 References

Kimothi, S.K. (2002) The uncertainty of measurements:

physical and chemical metrology: impact and analysis.
Milwaukee: ASQ Quality Press, pp. 209–213.
Menditto, A., Patriarca, M. and Magnusson, B. (2007)
‘Understanding the meaning of accuracy, trueness and
precision’. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. Vol. 12,
No. 1, pp. 45–47.
Pavese, F., Bar, M. and Forbes, A.B. (2009) Advanced
mathematical and computational tools in metrology and
testing: AMCTM VIII. Singapore: World Scientific,
pp. 406–407.
Rabinovich, S.G. (1999) Measurement errors and
uncertainties: theory and practice. 2nd ed. New York:
Springer.
Wallace, A.K. and Wiedenbrug, E.J. (1999) ‘Motor
efficiency determination: from testing laboratory to
plant installation’. Pulp and Paper Industry Technical
Conference. pp. 190–195.
Wheeler, A.J. and Ganji, A.R. (2009) Introduction to
engineering experimentation. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson,
p. 10.

Chapter 6
Agamloh, E.B. (2009) ‘The repeatability of IEEE standard
112B induction motor efficiency tests’. IEEE Electric
Machines and Drives Conference. pp. 1119–1126.
Aoulkadi, M. and Binder, A. (2006) ‘Evaluation of different
measurement methods to determine stray load losses in
induction machines’. International Symposium on Power
Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion.
pp. s13–s18.

167
Electrical motor products

IEEE Power Engineering Society. (2004) IEEE Standard

Test Procedure for Polyphase Induction Motors and
Generators. IEEE Std 112-2004. New York: Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
International Electrotechnical Commission. (2007) Rotating
electrical machines – Part 2-1: Standard methods for
determining losses and efficiency from tests (excluding
machines for traction vehicles). IEC 60034-2-1:
2007. Geneva: International Electrotechnical Commission.
Saidur, R. (2010) ‘A review on electrical motors energy use
and energy savings’. Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Reviews. Vol. 14, pp. 877–898.
Standardization Administration of China. (2008) Test
procedures for single-phase induction motor. GB
9651-2008. Beijing: Standardization Administration of
China.
Wenping, C. (2009) ‘Comparison of IEEE 112 and New
IEC Standard 60034-2-1’. IEEE Transactions on Energy
Conversion. Vol. 24, No. 3, p. 802.

Chapter 7
International Standardization Organization. (1999)
Rotodynamic pumps – Hydraulic performance acceptance
tests – Grades 1 and 2. ISO 9906:1999. Geneva:
International Standardization Organization.
Shiels, S. (1998) ‘Locating the greatest centrifugal pump
energy savings’. World Pumps. pp. 56–59.
Standardization Administration of China. (2005)
Rotodynamic pumps – Hydraulic performance acceptance
tests – Grades 1 and 2. GB 3216-2005. Beijing:
Standardization Administration of China.

168
 References

Chapter 8
International Standardization Organization. (2008)
Industrial fans – performance testing using standardized
airways. ISO 5801:2008. Geneva: International
Standardization Organization.
Lin, S.-C. and Huang, C.-L. (2002) ‘An integrated
experimental and numerical study of forward-curved
centrifugal fan’. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science.
Vol. 26, pp. 421–434.

Chapter 9
Dalvand, H. and Zare, M. (2006) ‘Evaluation of energy
efficiency measures in Iranian industrial 3-phase electric
motors’. First International Power and Energy Conference.
Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Prakash, V., Baskar, S. and Sivakumar, S. (2008) ‘A novel
efficiency improvement measure in three-phase induction
motors, its conservation potential and economic analysis’.
Energy for Sustainable Development. Vol. XII, No. 2.
Saidel, M.A., Ramos, M.C.E.S. and Alves, S.S. (2010)
‘Assessment and optimization of induction electric motors
aiming energy efficiency in industrial applications’.
International Conference on Electrical Machines. Rome.
Shi, K. (2001) Intelligent control for an induction motor.
PhD thesis. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Polytechnic
University.
Vaez-Zadeh, S. and Hendi, F. (2005) ‘A continuous efficiency
optimization controller for induction motor drives’.
Energy Conversion and Management. Vol. 46, No. 5,
pp. 701–713.

169
Electrical motor products

Chapter 10
Ahmad, M. (2010) High performance AC drives and power
systems. London: Springer, pp. 47–96.
Barambones, O. and Alkorta, P. (2011) ‘A robust vector
control for induction motor drives with an adaptive
sliding-mode control law’. Journal of the Franklin
Institute. Vol. 348, No. 2, pp. 300–314.
Bose, B.K. (2006) Power electronics and motor drives:
advances and trends. Burlington, VT: Academic Press.
Cacciato, M., Consoli, A., Scarcella, G., Scelba, G. and
Testa, A. (2006) ‘Efficiency optimization techniques via
constant optimal slip control of induction motor drives’.
International Symposium on Power Electronics, Electrical
Drives, Automation and Motion. pp. S32–38.
Chan, T.-F. and Shi, K. (2011) Applied intelligent control of
induction motor drives. Beijing: John Wiley & Sons (Asia)
Pte Ltd.
Ghozzi, S., Jelassi, K. and Roboam, X. (2004) ‘Energy
optimization of induction motor drives’. IEEE
International Conference on Industrial Technology
(ICIT). pp. 602–610.
Huangang, W., Wenli, X., Geng, Y. and Jian, L. (2005)
‘Variable-structure torque control of induction motors
using space vector modulation’. Electrical Engineering.
Vol. 87, pp. 93–102.
Jadot, F., Martin, P. and Rouchon, P. (2000) ‘Industrial
sensorless control of induction motors’. In A. Isidori,
F. Lamnabhi-Lagarrigue and W. Respondek (eds)
Nonlinear control in the year 2000: lecture notes in
control and information sciences. Vol. 258. London:
Springer, pp. 535–543.
Kim, D.H. and Park, J.I. (2005) ‘Loss minimization control
of induction motor using GA-PSO’. In R. Khosla et al.

170
 References

(eds) Knowledge-based intelligent information and

engineering systems: lecture notes in computer science.
Vol. 3682. Berlin: Springer, pp. 222–227.
Lim, S. and Nam, K. (2004) ‘Loss-minimising control scheme
for induction motors’. IEE Proceedings – Electric Power
Applications. Vol. 151, No. 4, pp. 385–397.
Marino, R., Peresada, S. and Valigi, P. (1991) ‘Adaptive
nonlinear control of induction motors via extended
matching’. In Foundations of adaptive control: lecture
notes in control and information sciences. Berlin: Springer,
pp. 435–454.
Morari, M. and Thiele, L. (eds) (2005) HSCC 2005, LNCS
3414. Berlin: Springer, pp. 274–290.
Nam, S.W. and Uddin, M.N. (2006) ‘Model-based loss
minimization control of an induction motor drive’. IEEE
ISIE. pp. 2367–2372.
Nounou, H.N. and Rehman, H. (2007) ‘Application of
adaptive fuzzy control to AC machines’. Applied Soft
Computing. Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 899–907.
Paladugu, A. and Chowdhury, B.H. (2007) ‘Sensorless
control of inverter-fed induction motor drives’. Electric
Power Systems Research. Vol. 77, Nos. 5–6,
pp. 619–629.
Shi, K. (2001) Intelligent control for an induction motor.
PhD thesis. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Polytechnic
University.
Trzynadlowski, A.M. (2001) Control of induction motors.
San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Vasudevan, M., Arumugam, R. and Paramasivam, S. (2006)
‘Development of torque and flux ripple minimization
algorithm for direct torque control of induction motor
drive’. Electrical Engineering. pp. 41–51.
Warne, D.F. (2005) Newnes electrical power engineer’s
handbook. 2nd ed. London: Newnes, p. 287.

171
Electrical motor products

Yano, M., Abe, S. and Ohno, E. (n.d.) History of power

electronics for motor drives in Japan. Available at: http://
www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/images/4/49/Yano2.pdf (viewed
5 March 2011).
Yi, Y. and Boshi, C. (2010) Control systems of electric drives-
motion control systems. Beijing: China Machine Press,
pp. 150–151.

172