What is the maximum pressure a centrifugal pump can generate called?

The maximum pressure a centrifugal pump can generate is referred to as "shut off head." This term describes the highest point of limit that a pump can produce without allowing any water to flow. At this point, the pump is essentially working against a closed system, and there is no flow rate occurring. The pressure produced at shut off head is crucial for understanding the pump's capability and performance under zero-flow conditions.

Knowing the shut off head is vital for system design, as it helps in ensuring that the pump can overcome the required system pressure head and any potential resistance due to friction in the piping or other components in the system. This measure allows operators to select the appropriate pump for specific applications, guaranteeing that it can handle the maximum operating conditions.

In contrast, terms like system pressure refer to the pressure experienced in the entire system during regular operations, peak power refers to the maximum power drawn by the pump under specific conditions, and flow rate describes the volume of water the pump can deliver within a specific time frame. While these concepts are important in pump operations, they do not specifically refer to the maximum pressure generated by the pump itself.