Magnetic Drive Pumps: A Complete Guide
29 July 2026
Magnetic drive pumps provide safe and reliable transfer of hazardous, corrosive and toxic fluids across industry.
When an ageing pump becomes obsolete, replacing it with a like-for-like alternative isn’t always the best solution. It can also provide an opportunity to review the application and identify a pump technology better suited to the process.
A leading UK paint and coatings manufacturer approached CDR Pumps after experiencing problems with an ageing mechanically sealed centrifugal pump used for solvent handling in their production process. The pump had become obsolete, spare parts were no longer available, and an attempted repair by another company had been unsuccessful. A reliable replacement was needed quickly.
Our engineers visited the customer’s manufacturing facility to assess the application and understand the operating requirements. This enabled us to propose a solution that not only addressed their immediate concerns but also improved the longer-term efficiency and safety of their operations.
Rather than simply replacing the existing pump with another mechanically sealed design, we identified an opportunity to upgrade the system to a seal-less magnetic drive centrifugal pump.
Unlike a conventional mechanically sealed centrifugal pump, a magnetic drive pump does not require a mechanical shaft seal. Instead, they use a magnetic coupling to transmit power from the motor to the impeller, creating a completely enclosed pumping system.
For a solvent handling application, this offered an important advantage by removing the mechanical seal as a potential leakage point and helping to reduce the risk of solvent or vapour escaping into the surrounding environment.
The customer had previously experienced a magnetic drive pump being damaged as a result of dry running, so protecting the new pump against a similar situation was an important consideration.
We therefore recommended installing a digital load monitor alongside the new pump.
The monitor continuously measures the load on the pump motor and can detect changes associated with abnormal operating conditions, including dry running. If the load falls outside the predetermined operating parameters, the monitor can automatically stop the pump, helping to protect it from damage.
This provided the customer with additional protection and reassurance when moving back to magnetic drive pump technology.
By the time the application had been assessed, the combination of the original pump failure and unsuccessful repair attempt meant that a replacement was required urgently.
We were able to supply a suitable ATEX-certified magnetic drive pump from stock, allowing the customer to avoid further unnecessary delays to production. The replacement pump was delivered the following day.
Since installation, the magnetic drive pump and digital load monitor have operated reliably without any reported issues. Our customer is pleased with the performance of the new system and is considering further upgrades to mag drive pumps.
This application demonstrates how replacing an obsolete pump can provide an opportunity to improve the wider pumping system rather than simply installing a like-for-like replacement.
By moving from a mechanically sealed centrifugal pump to a seal-less magnetic drive design, the customer gained a pump better suited to handling solvents, while the addition of a digital load monitor provided protection against one of their key concerns: dry running.
If you have an obsolete or unreliable pump and are considering your replacement options, our engineers can help assess the application and recommend a suitable solution for your individual requirements.
Get in touch with the CDR Pumps team on 01933 674777 or sales@cdrpumps.co.uk
Read more about the key considerations when choosing solvent pumps for chemical manufacturing applications
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