Question 179General Subjects - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) the pump would eventually overheat. When a centrifugal pump is operated with the discharge valve closed, the pump is unable to circulate water through the system. This causes the pump to work against its own head, resulting in no flow and no heat dissipation. Without any flow, the energy input from the motor is converted entirely into heat, causing the pump to overheat. This can potentially lead to damage to the pump components if the condition is allowed to persist. The other options are incorrect because: A) the motor controller overload would not open, as the motor would simply overheat without any flow; C) the relief valve would not continuously cycle open, as there is no flow through the system; and D) the motor would overheat, but this is a consequence of the pump overheating due to the lack of flow.