The G&G Blog

Controversial view - wastewater pumps should not be sized according to the required flow and pressure. In the world of pump sizing, lots of attention is paid to the required flow and pressure, or 'duty point'. The pump is then selected which can achieve this (plus maybe 10%), and as close as possible to the maximum efficiency point on the curve. But this is mostly about preventing pump cavitation, and when was the last time you had a wastewater pump fail due to cavitation?

Short answer: Yes, you should gland both ends. Here's why. This question comes up constantly, usually framed as: "If I'm not using the armour as a CPC, do I really need to gland the load end?" The argument goes that if you've got a separate CPC within the cable (3-core + earth, or 5-core), and you've glanded and earthed the armour at the supply end, then surely you can just tape up the armour at the other end and call it done? You can. But you shouldn't. The mechanical reason

The Invertek Optidrive Eco (ODV-3) is a popular choice for HVAC and pump applications across the UK. Whether you're controlling a fan motor or a borehole pump, getting the control wiring right is essential for reliable operation. This guide covers the control terminal layout, common configurations, and the key parameters you'll need to set. Control Terminal Overview The ODV-3 uses a standard terminal block layout for control connections. All control terminals are low voltage

In the industrial world, the "big red button" is a universal symbol of safety. We are conditioned to believe that hitting an emergency stop (also known as an E-stop) acts as a magic wand that instantly renders a machine harmless. However, this assumption is dangerous. E-stops are complex control devices, and misunderstanding their physical and electrical limitations is a leading cause of avoidable accidents. Understanding Safety Categories First of all, let's understand categ

Choosing the right control panel components can be daunting, especially for an onsite engineer having to replace dated parts. Here is a handy overview guide and some things to watch out for. Component Key Information Be careful of Isolator -  Correct amp rating must be at least the rating of the MCB protecting the supply  -  Number of poles -  Handle type: commonly door interlocked or direct mount Fused isolators can have different size fuses, some are push fit, some are bo

Let’s explore how they work, what's good about each and what can go wrong in real-world use. These are all widely available products,...

As most pump engineers will be able to tell you, single phase pumps are much more liable to get blocked than three phase pumps. But why? The answer lies in how the motor inside the pump produces its turning force. A three-phase motor has a balanced electrical supply. That creates a smooth, constantly rotating magnetic field, which in turn means steady torque at the shaft. In practice this gives the impeller a strong and reliable push, especially when it meets resistance from

When building electrical control panels, wiring practices are not just a matter of neatness, they are a matter of safety and compliance. An important regulatory standard is BS EN 60204-1: Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines. What BS EN 60204-1 requires: The standard states: “The connection of two or more conductors to one terminal is permitted only in those cases where the terminal is designed for that purpose. However, only one protective conductor shall b

For many engineers who haven't had formal training in controls design, wiring diagrams can look pretty daunting. The aim of this blog...

There are many different systems in modern buildings such as the heating, cooling, clean water, wastewater and many other elements that...

G&G Controls recently joined the SSE Energy Solutions supply chain for control panels, so we did a review of the first panel we made for...

When it comes to electrical control panels, one of the key considerations in design and specification is the “Form of separation.” This...

In the world of wastewater management, particularly sewage pumping stations and treatment works, flammable gases such as methane and...

When designing control panels, selecting the right motor starting method is a key decision that can affect cost, reliability, and...

In September 2024, around 72 million litres of water submerged the A421 in Bedfordshire. What makes this event so concerning is that,...

There are a lot of different types of the best control panel (switchgear) enclosures here in the UK, let's look at the options and which...

As a manufacturer of control panels, we frequently get asked - do we need surge protection in our control panel? The short answer is: in...

Basix View is a simple way to get alternative level sensing, for example for use with a Vega radar level sensing head. But first, let's...

We’re hosting a live Q&A session this Friday, March 28th, and we’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re a sales professional,...

Star/Delta motor starting is a common method used to reduce the surge in current and torque during the starting of large motors. However, sometimes there can be errors when installing the starter and connecting the motor. The main problem with starting a large 3-phase motor direct online (DOL: from nothing to 100% almost instantly) is the high inrush current, typically 6-8x the motor's full load current (FLC) rating. Star/Delta is one method to reduce the start-up inrush curr

Our BMS clients have told us that two things are super important to them: getting a drawing very quickly and then getting the panel...

Sometimes when the power to an inverter is turned off (power cut/maintenance/repair etc) the inverter won’t turn on again afterwards.  What follows next is difficult explanations about why a perfectly working inverter has suddenly failed after the maintenance engineer worked on the equipment.  Well here’s the inside secret that you need to help you explain it: the inverters have a capacitor inside which (in certain conditions) blows up when you turn the Hydrovar off.  And you

By: Nathan Chapman, Electrical, Control and Instrumentation @ Richard Alan Engineering. As an EC&I design engineer I work with different...

When it comes to managing waste water pump control panels, selecting the right level control method is crucial for reliable operation and...