¶ Prime Assure Valve
Prime Assure is a system that feeds discharge pressure back to the pump intake to keep the intake line primed while the station is asleep. By maintaining prime, it eliminates the reprime delay when the station wakes. If configured, the Prime Assure valve (see image 1.1) is accessible from the main screen.
¶ Prime Assure Settings
The Prime Assure settings (image 1.2) control the automation for the Prime Assure system. The top of the screen displays flow data for the Prime Assure valve, showing how much water is being returned from the discharge to the intake to maintain prime. This is broken into two sections:
Current Cycle
- Total gallons: gallons flowed into the intake during the current cycle
- Total time: time taken for that flow
Last Cycle
- Total gallons: gallons flowed into the intake during the previous cycle
- Total time: time taken for that flow
These values indicate how well Prime Assure is maintaining prime and can reveal intake issues (e.g., a faulty foot valve or intake leak).
Below the cycle data is Gallons Allowed per Cycle — a maximum expected return volume before an intake leak must be addressed. If flow exceeds this limit, the station will alarm. Stations with Prime Assure include a pressure tank to help maintain discharge pressure while water is diverted to the intake; if the allowed gallons must exceed the tank’s full capacity, check or replace the tank or inspect the intake for leaks.
The next section automates expected flow and timing when the station goes to sleep. Because discharge pressure exceeds intake when sleeping, some flow to the intake is normal. In the example, the PLC expects at least a 0.3 PSI rise in the intake within 20 seconds; if met, the system remains normal. If not, the PLC faults the Prime Assure system. Disabling this feature causes the PLC to ignore these checks.
Finally, the virtual HOA controls the Prime Assure valve: Hand energizes the valve, Off closes it, and Auto returns control to the station automation.
