Are Electric Submersible Pumps Safe?

One essential safety rule that can’t be stressed often enough is that electricity and water do not mix well. So how is it possible that an Electric Submersible Pump could be safe to use? After all, the name implies that the pump must be placed into water that covers most or all of it…which would appear on the face of things to be an extremely unsafe choice. 

It is important to understand how electric submersible pumps are designed and built. Electric submersible pumps are entirely encased in a housing that does not allow for any ventilation, and don't come with a mounted fan that would help cool the engine to prevent it from overheating.

Instead, electric submersible pumps depend on the water or liquid in which they are submerged to keep the overall heat of the appliance at a manageable level.

Submersible motors require rugged frames made of cast iron, which can protect the internal workings of the pump from damage – a frequent possibility in busy environments like a construction worksite. Anything that poses a risk to the casing, which has been properly sealed to keep water from reaching any of the electrically charged parts, could result in failure of the pump.

The cables that carry power to the internal motor of the pump are also properly sealed; a cutaway drawing of one such submersible pump indicates that the machine’s cable cap (where cables enter the housing) is filled with epoxy in order to prevent the intrusion of water. The cables themselves are sheathed in a coating of waterproof neoprene.

There are also a number of seals that are fitted along the pump’s mechanical shaft. Some of these do not use adhesives because the components have been mechanically crimped to create a waterproof seal.

There are many other similar design considerations that have been taken into account to ensure the safe operation of electric submersible pumps. For more information, contact Absolute Water Pumps today!