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Water system diagram supporting pump station total dynamic head explanation

GRAF Australia

GRAF | LIFT guide

Pump station total dynamic head

Build the duty point from static lift, rising-main friction and fitting losses before selecting pumps.

Request a project quoteCall 1300 131 971

In short

Total dynamic head is the sum of static lift plus friction and fitting losses at the design flow. For GRAF | LIFT packages, confirm elevations, pipe data and flow so pumps are selected against a real duty point, not a guess. GRAF | LIFT, PRESS, REUSE and CARE are being rolled out Australia-wide excluding Victoria. Project delivery, commissioning and field attendance are confirmed against location and scope.

How it works

TDH combines static head, rising-main friction and losses through valves and fittings at the design flow.
Pump station total dynamic headTotal dynamic head is the sum of static lift from water surface to discharge elevation plus friction losses along the rising main and losses through valves and fittings.Total dynamic head (TDH)Static headLift elevation difference+Friction lossesRising-main length / pipe+FittingsValves / bendsConfirm duty point before selecting pumps for GRAF | LIFT packages

What to do next

  1. 01

    Measure static lift

    Wet-well water surface to discharge elevation, including any intermediate high points.

  2. 02

    Document the rising main

    Length, diameter, material, bends, valves and fittings that create friction losses.

  3. 03

    Quote with flow and fluid

    Add design flow, fluid type and solids notes so GRAF can review the duty point.

The three parts of TDH

Static head is the elevation difference the pump must lift. Friction losses depend on flow rate, pipe length, diameter and roughness. Fitting losses cover bends, valves, reducers and other local restrictions.

Velocity head and minor site-specific losses may also apply. Keep the calculation transparent so designers and suppliers are reviewing the same duty point.

GRAF wet well used when calculating commercial pump station TDH
Wet-well elevations are part of the static head measurement.

What to send with a quote request

Project location, design flow, static elevations, rising-main length and diameter, pipe material, valves and fittings, fluid type, solids characteristics, required storage, power supply and drawings.

GRAF will not invent a duty envelope. Incomplete head data delays package selection and commissioning planning.

GRAF underground systems where rising-main head must be confirmed
Rising-main geometry belongs on the drawings submitted for sizing.

Compare options

Avoid these TDH shortcuts on commercial pump stations.

ShortcutRiskBetter approach
Static head onlyUndersized pumpsAdd friction and fittings
Guessed pipe lengthWrong duty pointMeasure rising-main route
Ignoring valvesUnexpected lossesList isolation and non-return valves
Copied duty from another siteMismatch to inflowRecalculate for this project

Specify these products

Frequently asked questions

What is total dynamic head in a pump station?+
Total dynamic head (TDH) is the head the pump must overcome at the design flow. It combines static elevation difference with friction losses in the rising main and losses through valves and fittings.
What is static head?+
Static head is the elevation difference between the pumping water surface in the wet well and the discharge elevation. It does not include pipe friction.
Why does rising-main length matter?+
Longer or smaller-diameter rising mains increase friction losses at a given flow. Material, fittings and valves also add losses that belong in the TDH calculation.
Can GRAF calculate TDH from drawings?+
Yes. Share static elevations, rising-main length and diameter, pipe material, valves and fittings, and design flow with your quote request so the duty point can be reviewed for a GRAF | LIFT package.
Does TDH alone select the pump?+
No. Flow, fluid type, solids, starts, power supply and control strategy are required alongside TDH. TDH sets the head side of the duty point.

Need a duty point reviewed?

Send elevations, pipe data and flow. Call 1300 131 971 or use the quote form.

Request a quote