When you reposition a suction line, which action is often necessary to aid priming?

When you reposition a suction line, which action is often necessary to aid priming?

• A. Vent suction side
• B. Increase throttle
• C. Open discharge valve
• D. Close intake valve

Answer: (A)

When the suction line is moved, air can get trapped in the suction path and prevent the pump from developing a prime. Venting the suction side gives that trapped air a release route to the atmosphere so the line can fill with water and the pump casing establishes a prime, allowing water to be drawn into the pump. Increasing throttle won’t remove the air pocket and can worsen air binding, opening the discharge valve doesn’t address the air on the suction side, and closing the intake valve stops water from reaching the pump entirely. Venting the suction side directly tackles the air that blocks priming.

When the suction line is moved, air can get trapped in the suction path and prevent the pump from developing a prime. Venting the suction side gives that trapped air a release route to the atmosphere so the line can fill with water and the pump casing establishes a prime, allowing water to be drawn into the pump.

Increasing throttle won’t remove the air pocket and can worsen air binding, opening the discharge valve doesn’t address the air on the suction side, and closing the intake valve stops water from reaching the pump entirely. Venting the suction side directly tackles the air that blocks priming.