HomeTechnical notes › How to Read Pump Control Cabinet Photos: One-Duty/One-Standby and Two-Duty/One-Standby Units

05 Informational content / Technical articles 2026-09-11 Published ~ 11 min read GB/T 7251.1

How to Read Pump Control Cabinet Photos
One-Duty/One-Standby and Two-Duty/One-Standby Units

Pump control cabinet photos show the internal layout, pump rotation control circuits, and constant pressure water supply system configuration at a glance. This photo gallery breaks down the structural differences between the two typical pump control cabinet configurations: one-duty/one-standby and two-duty/one-standby. Zhejiang Golden Unicorn builds 800+ pump control cabinets per year, is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and exports to 10+ countries · 300+ customers.

1. One-Duty/One-Standby Pump Control Cabinet Photos (Dual-Pump Alternating Operation)

The photo shows aOne-duty/one-standby pump control cabinet(2×15kW pumps): The cabinet interior is split into upper and lower tiers, each with its own independent control unit — circuit breaker (NSX40F 32A) + contactor (LC1D18) + thermal overload relay (LRD14). Between the two unitselectrical interlocking, only one pump runs at any given time. The cabinet door is fitted with amanual/auto selector switch + start/stop pushbuttons + run indicator lights.

SCHEMATICBusbarsTerminal blocksMain circuit breakerControl & protection devicesTerminal block outgoing cables
Photo — 1. One-Duty/One-Standby Pump Control Cabinet PhotosCabinet structure diagram · photo pending

2. Two-Duty/One-Standby Pump Control Cabinet Photos (Three-Pump Rotation)

The photo shows aTwo-duty/one-standby pump control cabinet(3×22kW pumps, VFD constant pressure water supply): The cabinet houses one 22kW VFD (Siemens G120) that controls the lead pump, while the other two pumps start directly via soft starters or contactors. A PLC handles the rotation logic to keep cumulative run time balanced across all three pumps. Internal layout — VFD + braking resistor on the left, three sets of circuit breakers + contactors in the center, PLC + relays + terminal blocks on the right.

SCHEMATICBusbarsTerminal blocksMain circuit breakerControl & protection devicesTerminal block outgoing cables
Photo — 2. Two-Duty/One-Standby Pump Control Cabinet PhotosCabinet structure diagram · photo pending

3. Constant Pressure Water Supply System Configuration Photos (VFD + Pressure Tank + Sensors)

The photos show the completeconstant pressure water supply systemcontrol cabinet interior:

SCHEMATICBusbarsTerminal blocksMain circuit breakerControl & protection devicesTerminal block outgoing cables
Figure — 3. Constant pressure water supply system configuration, as installedCabinet structure diagram · photo pending

4. Pump control cabinet ingress protection (IP) rating (required for damp environments)

Pump rooms are damp, so the control cabinet IP rating≥IP54(splash-proof); for outdoor pump rooms, specify IP65. Photo shows:

Installation environmentRecommended IP ratingEnclosure requirementsCooling method
Indoor, dryIP30Painted steelNatural convection
Indoor, dampIP54Stainless steel / galvanized sheetSealed + roof-mounted fan
Outdoor, rain-exposedIP65stainless steel 304Sealed + cabinet air conditioner
Underground pump roomIP54 + anti-condensationSealed + heater50W heater for moisture protection

5. Pump control cabinet visual inspection standard (5 quality checks)

📋 Pump cabinet visual inspection checklist

Reliable interlock: main and standby pump contactors interlocked through normally closed auxiliary contacts; pressing both start buttons manually starts only one pump; ② Manual/auto switching: in manual mode each pump can be started and stopped individually; in auto mode the PLC controls rotation; ③ IP rating: incoming and outgoing cable glands sealed; door gasket complete and undamaged; ④ Grounding: separate PE bar, grounding resistance ≤4Ω, VFD PE wired separately; ⑤ Marking: each pump circuit has its own nameplate (pump number, power, current) matching the drawing.

FAQ FAQ

Does a pump control cabinet have to be fitted with a VFD?

Not necessarily. Small pump rooms (≤7.5kW) can use direct-on-line starting plus a pressure tank. Variable frequency constant pressure water supply suits≥11kWor applications with high pressure stability requirements. A VFD can save 20-40% energy, but costs more and has a higher failure rate than direct-on-line starting.

How do I choose between one duty / one standby and two duty / one standby?

It depends on how much water demand fluctuates. For stable demand, chooseduty/standby(the standby pump runs only if the duty pump fails); for highly variable demand, chooseTwo duty / one standby(two pumps run in parallel to meet peak demand, one stops at low demand). Systems with three or more pumps suit large water supply systems.

What should I watch out for when installing a pump control cabinet outdoors?

IP rating ≥IP65, 304 stainless steel enclosure, sealed cable glands, and ananti-condensation heaterinside the cabinet (50W, temperature-controlled start at 5°C) to prevent temperature differential condensation from causing electrical short circuits. In high summer temperatures, add a cooling fan or air conditioner.

What does the pressure tank in a constant pressure water supply system do?

It absorbs pressure fluctuations in the piping network (water hammer) and reduces frequent pump starts and stops. Pressure tank volume is selected based on pump flow rate and piping network volume — too small and the pump cycles frequently (more than 6 times per minute), too large and it takes up space. Rule of thumb: a 22 kW pump pairs with a 100 L pressure tank.

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