General
What payment methods do you accept?
What are your estimated shipping times?
We deliver Australia-wide, as well as internationally to Papua New Guinea, and surrounding countries.
Do you provide after sales service?
Being one of our core competencies, we certainly do . We would be happy to share with you over 120 years of combined experience.
Do your products come with operation or installation manuals?
All our products are supplied with operation and installation manuals. Contact us to request for extra copies.
What are your estimated shipping times?
For stocked items refer to the table below. For packaged items that need to be assembled an ETA will be provided at the time of ordering.
| Locations | Working Days |
| Sydney & metro | Same day or overnight |
| Brisbane & metro | Overnight |
| Melbourne & metro | Overnight |
| Adelaide & metro | 2 days |
| Perth & metro | 3-4 days |
| NSW & regional | 1-2 days |
| QLD & regional | 1-2 days |
| VIC & regional | 1-2 days |
| SA & regional | 3-4 days |
| TAS & regional | 3-4 days |
| NT & regional | 4-5 days |
| WA & regional | 5-7 days |
*The shipping times are indicative only and are subject to transport providers.
What warranty do you provide?
General Pumps provides 2 years warranty on most products. There are some products that only have a 1 year warranty, while others have up to 5 years. Warranty terms are determined by the type of product and the warranty provided by the manufacturer. For confirmation on the warranty term relating to the product you have been quote or have purchased, please contact the Customer Service Team at General Pumps.
How do I contact General Pump Company if I have an emergency?
In case of an emergency ring 1300 662 787 or email [email protected].
Are you available on weekends and after hours for emergency pump services?
For after-hours assistance, phone 1300 662 787 and if unanswered, please leave a message and your message will be sent via email to our after hours support team and they will be in contact with you as quickly as possible following the receipt of your message. You also email our Service Manager at [email protected]
Where are your service centres located?
22 Sommerville Circuit,
Emu Plains, NSW, 2750
Where are your warehouses located?
22 Sommerville Circuit,
Emu Plains, NSW, 2750
Pump Services, Problems & Repairs
How frequently should I service my pump?
When do you use guide rails?
Normally guide rails are used in pump wells over 3 metres deep, or if the pumps are large with large pipework.
What is a pump curve?
A pump curve is a graphical representation of a pump’s performance based on testing conducted by the manufacturer. Each pump has its own pump performance curve which varies from pump to pump. This is based on the pump’s horsepower and the size and shape of the impeller.
Understanding any given pump’s performance curve enables you to understand the limitation of that pump. Operating above it given range will not only damage the pump, it will cause unneeded downtime.
Do your products come with operation or installation manuals?
All our products are supplied with operation and installation manuals. Contact us to request for extra copies.
What is a performance curve?
How do I read a performance curve?
Performance curves can be confusing and difficult to understand. The important point to remember is that the ‘flow’ is proportional to the ‘pressure’. i.e. the more ‘flow’ the pump is pumping, less ‘pressure’ will be generated – alternately, the less ‘flow’ the more ‘pressure’.
To read a performance curve firstly calculate determine the flowrate. On the horizontal axis of the graph, make a vertical line from where the flowrate is indicated on the graph, up the graph until it intersects the curved line as shown below.
Then, to determine the ‘pressure’ the pump will produce at that flowrate, draw a horizontal line from where the vertical line has intersected the curve – as shown below.
Once you have drawn these lines, you can then determine how much pressure the pump will generate at the determined flow rate. You can also reverse the method to determine how much flow the pump is producing at the determined pressure.
What industries do you offers service solutions to?
Do you supply spare parts?
We stock a huge range of spare parts for different types of pumps and brands. Please contact us to find out more.
What is the delivery time of any spare parts?
How do I choose the right pump for my job?
To choose a pump the following information is required: water flow, total head, suction pressure, type of application and type of power available. Also, for vertical pumps you should also know the level of pumping as well as the well/sumps dimension.
Does conduit size matter?
Absolutely! There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at a new pump installation to find that the conduits have been installed, and many times concreted over, and they are too small to fit the pump and float switch cables through.
What types of controllers are provided with the pumps?
What causes pump cavitation?
When the inlet pressure of a water pump falls below pump design specifications, tiny vapor bubbles can form in the water around the eye of the impeller. When the water containing these bubbles is forced into a high-pressure environment on the other side of the impeller, these bubbles collapse, therefore creating tiny shock waves and points of high temperature. These shock waves can corrode the surface of the impeller. To prevent cavitation, always be sure to operate your water pump within its pressure and flow specifications.
What is slip and how does it affect pump performance?
Thermal Overload
What is thermal overload?
A thermal overload is a protective device that precents a motor from drawing more electrical current (amps) than it should, consequently protecting the electrical motor from burning out when jammed, etc.
How does a thermal overload work?
The thermal overload attached to an electrical contractor and measure the amount of electrical current (amps) that the electric motor is drawing. On every thermal overload there is a small dial in which you can set the maximum amount of electrical current that the motor should draw without damaging the moto. The maximum amount of amps a motor should draw is referred to as the ‘Full Load Amps’. The full load amps is usually indicated on the data plate of the motor. If the motor draws more amps than the full load amp setting on the overload dial, the thermal overload will cut power to the motor and prevent it from damaging the motor.
Is a thermal overload beneficial for a pump motor?
Yes, where possible it is suggested to use thermal overloads to protect the electric motor on a pump. Sometimes pumps can jam, especially in sewage applications, and without an overload the motor can burn out. It is cheaper to install a thermal overload than to purchase a new replacement pump!
Will the overload automatically reset?
It is important to note that there are two options on the overload: You can choose to have the overload reset either automatically or manually. We strongly recommend that it is manually reset so that the reason for the overload tripping is investigate before the pump is used again. If it automatically resets and the pump is jammed, it will eventually burn the pump out.
Friction Loss
What does friction loss mean?
Friction loss is a loss in pressure that is caused by flowing liquid inside a pipeline. For example, if a pump is pumping a liquid at 10 litres per second at 100kpa into a pipe that is 100 metre in length, you will soon notice that there will not be 10 litres per second discharging from the end of the pipe. Why? Because the friction of the water against the walls of the pipe slows the flow of the liquid.
When pumping a liquid through a pipeline, how do you compensate for friction loss to ensure the required flow rate is achieved?
Friction loss is calculated in metres/100m. (see below chart). For example, let’s say you need to transfer 2 litres per second, and you are using 63mm PN12.5 poly pipe. The chart below indicates that the friction loss is 2.71 metres in every 100 metres of pipeline. Add the 2.71 metres of friction loss to the overall vertical height (static head) that you have to pump up. For example, if you have 6 metres vertical height to pump up and you have to pump over 100 metres of distance, the total pressure required will be: – 6 metres static head + 2.71 metres friction loss = 8.71 metres total head. So, your duty is 2 litres per second at 8.71 metres.
