IIoT Sensors for

Centrifugal
Pumps
Introduction
The IoT platform for IIoT integrated smart pumping solutions
comprise of three significant parts:
• Sensors, including cables and junction boxes
• Data collection device
• Monitoring/analysis software
 Why Sensors?
Sensors are an integral component of IIoT solutions.
• The type of sensor you choose will help your
technology partner customize the solution to your
specific business needs.
• Sensors allow monitoring to be done remotely
without any physical inspection.
• Since Centrifugal pumps owing to the nature of their
operation tend to experience variable flow they have
a greater probability of damage due to overheating
and dry running among other causes.
• Due to this these pumps can face long periods of
downtime. However, with real-time monitoring, it is
possible to provide predictive maintenance to avoid
sudden component failure and eventual downtime.
• Real-time monitoring is possible by attaching relevant
sensors to hardware to pick data about vital
parameters of pump operation.
Types of sensors that can
be attached to centrifugal
pumps:
• Temperature sensors: Dry running or low flow can
result in rise of internal temperature of the
centrifugal pump. Temperature sensors help detect
heating in real time as well as analyze operational
patterns that lead to increase in temperature. It helps
to ensure optimal environment temperature

• Pressure sensors: Pressure sensors sense pressure

and convert it into an electric signal. Here, the
amount depends upon the level of pressure applied.
Since Centrifugal Pumps rely on liquid for creating
flow pressure; these sensors can detect any deviation
from standard pressure range.
Types of sensors that can be attached to
centrifugal pumps:
• Water quality sensors: If the pump deals in
pumping water such as in municipal water quality
sensors will help to detect the water quality,
chlorine residue, suspended solids, pH-level and
Ion monitoring among other requirements.
• Chemical sensors: Chemical sensors are ideal for
centrifugal pumps used in Chemical Industry. Their
goal is to indicate changes in liquid or air chemical
changes. Highly corrosive chemicals can lead to
pump leakages causing health hazard.
Further presence of corrosive articles can erode
internal pump components and substantially
reduce pump performance.
Types of sensors that can be
attached to centrifugal pumps:
• Gas sensors: Used to monitor changes of air quality and detect
the presence of various gases. Used in centrifugal pumps to
detect presence of toxic or combustible gas. Hazardous gas
monitoring is done in pumps used for coal mines, Oil & Gas
industries, chemical Laboratory research, Manufacturing –
paints, plastics, rubber, pharmaceutical & petrochemical, etc.
• Smoke sensors: A smoke sensor is a device that senses smoke
(airborne particulates & gases ) and it’s level. They are especially
useful to indicate leakage of poisonous gases from pumps. They
are a good follow up to temperature sensors or chemical and
gas sensors.
• IR sensors: An infrared is used to sense certain characteristics of
its surroundings by either emitting or detecting infrared
radiation. It is also capable of measuring the heat being emitted
by an object. They can be installed on pumps to gather data
about task competitions.
Types of sensors that can be
attached to centrifugal pumps:
• Level sensors: Used to determine the level or amount of
fluids, liquids or other substances that flow in an open or
closed system. They are primarily known for measuring fuel
levels, but they are also used in pumps that work with
liquid materials.
• Magnetic Sensors: A Magnetic sensor or Hall Effect sensor
is a transducer which varies its output voltage in reaction to
a magnetic field. In Centrifugal pumps they can be used to
detect structural wear on impeller blades of centrifugal
pumps.