LEARN THE TERMINOLOGY TO HELP YOU MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION ABOUT YOUR POND PUMP CHOICES
Amps – The rate of flow of an electrical current.
Check Valve – Valve that prevents water from backflushing into the pump
Direct Drive – Type of pump in which a motor drives a shaft that spins the impeller. More durable than a mag drive.
Discharge – The opening of the pump where the water is expelled.
Flow Rate – The amount of water moving in a given time period.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) – Designed to protect people and pets from severe or fatal electric shocks.
GPH – Gallons per hour
Head Height – The height from the surface of the pond to the start of the waterfall.
Impeller – The part of the pump that pushes the water. It generally has fins or blades.
Impeller Housing – This is where the impeller sits and is allowed to spin.
Intake – The opening of the pump where the water is drawn in.
Mag Drive – Type of pump that relies on magnetic forces to drive the impeller. Pumps a smaller amount of water than direct drive pumps, but are much more efficient.
Motor – The motor is what drives the pump. The shaft attaches to the motor.
Motor Housing – The place where the motor and the electrical sit.
Pond Volume – The amount of water in a pond. (See Pond Volume Calculator Tab) or for an even more accurate measurement, you can use a mechanical meter when filling your pond.
PVC (poly vinyl chloride) – A common thermoplastic resin
Shaft – The shaft is what spins the impeller. It is generally located inside the motor housing
TDH (Total Dynamic Head) – The combination of the total height and the total run a pump has to push.
Volts – Pressure at which the current is delivered.