If you detect a continuous audible alarm or abnormal sound, what should you do?

• A. Stop; inspect for bearings, misalignment, cavitation; correct before restart.
• B. Ignore and continue.
• C. Increase throttle.
• D. Adjust only the audible alarm.

Answer: (A)

A continuous audible alarm or abnormal sound is a warning that something is going wrong with the pump or its drive train. The best course is to stop the pump and inspect for common fault conditions before restarting. Check for bearing wear or failure and ensure proper lubrication and temperature; verify that the pump and motor are properly aligned and that couplings are in good condition; and look for cavitation signs on the suction side, such as unusual noise, vibration, or indicators of low NPSH like restricted suction, air leaks, or a clogged strainer. After identifying and correcting any issue, re-prime if needed and perform a controlled restart, then monitor for normal operation. Continuing to run, increasing throttle, or just adjusting the alarm would not fix the underlying problem and could cause serious damage.