Vega Surface Pumps

A Vega surface pump sits above the water, next to a tank, dam or well, and either lifts water up to 7 – 9 m on the suction side or boosts it to the house, garden or irrigation. The range runs from compact peripheral pumps and centrifugal pumps to self-priming jet pumps and intelligent variable-speed boosters that hold a steady pressure at every tap. This guide sets out each family, the limits that decide which one you need, and current prices.

The one limit that decides it: suction lift

A surface pump pulls water up the suction pipe by creating a vacuum. Atmospheric pressure can only push water about 10 m up that pipe at sea level, and in practice pumps manage 7 – 9 m after friction and altitude losses. On the Highveld the limit is lower again.

If the water is more than about 7 m below the pump, use a submersible pump instead. A surface pump cannot pull water from a deep borehole. See the Vega borehole pump guide. Keep the suction pipe short, the same size as the pump inlet or larger, and always fit a foot valve.

Which Vega surface pump?

Need	Best family	Why
Small house or garden, modest flow, good pressure	QB peripheral	Compact, high head for its size, low price
Transfer, irrigation, higher flow	CPM centrifugal	More water at moderate head, quiet and durable
Large flow for irrigation or dams	CPM high flow	2-inch ports, up to 25 m³/h
Higher pressure from one pump	2CPM twin impeller	Two impellers in series, up to 60 m
Water from a shallow well or below the pump	JSWM, JLM or GJS jet	Self-priming, handles air in the suction
Steady pressure at every tap, low noise	Intelligent VSD booster	Speeds up and down to hold a set pressure

QB peripheral pumps

Peripheral-vane pumps with a 1" × 1" connection, rated for 8 m of suction. Available as the pump only, with an automatic flow controller fitted, or as a combo kit with flow controller and 25 mm suction hose kit.

Model	Power	Max head	Max flow	Pump only	With flow control	Combo kit
QB60	0.37 kW	36 m	2 m³/h	R928	R1 642	R1 999
QB70	0.55 kW	48 m	3 m³/h	R1 285	R1 999	R2 428
QB80	0.75 kW	60 m	3.6 m³/h	R1 567	R2 142	R2 642

The QB60G basic combo (R1 428) bundles a QB60 with union and controller.

CPM and CP single-stage centrifugal pumps

Cast iron pump body, brass impeller, stainless steel 304 shaft and ceramic-graphite mechanical seal. Single-phase CPM models have a capacitor and thermal overload; CP models are 380V three-phase. Insulation class B, IP44, 1" × 1" ports, suction lift up to 7 m, water up to 40 °C.

Model	Power	Max head	Max flow	220V pump	220V with flow control	380V (CP)
CPM130	0.37 kW	22 m	4.8 m³/h	R1 485	R2 356	–
CPM146	0.55 kW	26 m	6 m³/h	R1 736	R2 692	–
CPM158	0.75 kW	32 m	6 m³/h	R1 951	R2 945	R2 004
CPM170	1.1 kW	44 m	7.2 m³/h	R3 019	R4 189	R2 934
CPM190	1.5 kW	52 m	7.2 m³/h	R3 506	R5 273	R3 344
CPM200	2.2 kW	59 m	7.2 m³/h	R4 269	R6 321	R4 503

Combo kits with flow control and a 25 mm suction hose kit are available for the CPM130 to CPM170 from R2 642. See CPM combo kits.

CPM high-flow and 2CPM twin-impeller pumps

Model	Power	Ports	Max head	Max flow	220V	380V
CPM60 high flow	1.1 kW	2" × 2"	See product page	25 m³/h (range)	R3 056	R3 348
CPM70 high flow	1.5 kW	2" × 2"	28 m	24 m³/h	R3 309	R3 584
CPM80 high flow	2.2 kW	2" × 2"	30 m	24 m³/h	R4 865	R4 170
2CPM25/140M	1.1 kW	1.25" × 1"	See product page	About 9 m³/h (range)	R3 739	R3 597
2CPM25/160B	1.5 kW	1.5" × 1"	58 m	8.4 m³/h	R4 461	R4 071
2CPM25/160A	2.2 kW	1.5" × 1"	60 m	8.4 m³/h	R5 810	R5 460

High-flow and twin-impeller pumps are rated for 7 m of suction. Flow-control versions are listed under high flow and 2CPM with flow control.

Self-priming jet pumps

A jet pump recirculates part of its own flow through an ejector, so it can clear air from the suction pipe and lift water from a shallow well. Use one where the water is below the pump or the suction line may draw air.

Model	Body	Power	Max head	Suction	Pump	With flow control
JSWM75	Cast iron	0.75 kW	46 m	9 m	R2 224	R3 014
JSWM110	Cast iron	1.1 kW	52 m	9 m	R2 284	R3 096
JLM75	Cast iron	0.75 kW	52 m	–	R2 184	R3 038
JLM150	Cast iron	1.5 kW	53 m	–	R3 909	–
GJS600	Stainless steel	0.6 kW	35 m	–	R2 530	R3 000
GJS800	Stainless steel	0.75 kW	42 m	–	R2 658	R3 179
GJS1000	Stainless steel	1.1 kW	48 m	–	R2 735	R3 429

Maximum flow: JSWM up to 80 l/min, GJS up to 60 l/min. The GJS800 is listed on our store as 0.8 kW; its datasheet rating is 0.75 kW.

Intelligent variable-speed booster pumps

These pumps have a built-in variable speed controller and pressure sensor. When a tap opens the pump speeds up just enough to hold the set pressure, and it stops when flow stops. The result is steady pressure in the shower, quiet running and lower power use than a fixed-speed pump with a pressure switch.

Model	Power	Max head / pressure	Max flow	Rated point	Price
SSP-100	0.75 kW	4.5 bar	5.5 m³/h	3 m³/h at 3 bar	R4 999
RUC-370	0.37 kW	37 m	4 m³/h	2 m³/h at 20 m	R5 555
RUC-750	0.75 kW	55 m	5.5 m³/h	3 m³/h at 30 m	R6 744
RUC-1100	1.1 kW	60 m	10.5 m³/h	6 m³/h at 31 m	R10 566
HMS750 Intellibox	0.75 kW	4.7 bar	5 m³/h	–	R10 207
HMS1500 Intellibox	1.5 kW	5.7 bar	8 m³/h	–	R13 158
BWD5-40	1.2 kW	70 m	10 m³/h	5 m³/h at 40 m	R10 463
BWD12-40	2.2 kW	60 m	20 m³/h	12 m³/h at 40 m	R15 911

The RUC and BWD are IP55 with water up to 40 °C; the HMS Intellibox handles water from 2 to 80 °C and the SSP-100 from 0 to 80 °C. Set the working pressure between 2 and 3.5 bar for a house; the pump restarts at about 70 – 80% of the set pressure.

Sizing a booster pump for a house

1. Count the outlets used at once. A shower uses about 10 l/min, a kitchen tap 8 l/min, a garden hose 15 l/min. Two showers and a tap is about 30 l/min, or 1.8 m³/h.
2. Decide the pressure. 2.5 to 3 bar (25 to 30 m) at the highest outlet feels like good mains pressure.
3. Add the height. Add the height from the pump to the highest outlet and the pipe friction.
4. Pick the pump that delivers your flow at that total head, from the performance table on the product page.

Example: a double-storey house with two bathrooms needs about 1.8 m³/h at 30 m + 6 m of height and friction, so 36 m. The RUC-750 covers it: it is rated 3 m³/h at 30 m and reaches 55 m at lower flow, and it holds the pressure steady as outlets open and close. Always confirm on the performance curve.

Fountain pumps

Model	Power	Price
AP-161	15 W	R169	Buy online
AP-221	21 W	R222	Buy online
AP-401	45 W	R359	Buy online
APS-451	55 W	R529	Buy online

Installation notes that prevent failures

• Fit a foot valve and strainer on the suction line and prime the pump casing before first start.
• Keep suction pipe runs short and airtight, rising steadily towards the pump with no humps that trap air.
• Protect from rain and flooding. Install under a ventilated cover.
• Use a flow controller or pressure tank on fixed-speed pumps, so the pump is not starting for every glass of water. See Vega pump accessories.
• Never run dry. Mechanical seals fail within minutes without water.

Price guide

Family	Models	Price range
QB peripheral pumps and kits	10	R928 – R2 642	Shop
CPM / CP centrifugal pumps and kits	20	R1 485 – R6 321	Shop
CPM high-flow pumps	9	R3 056 – R6 584	Shop
2CPM / 2CP twin-impeller pumps	9	R3 597 – R7 487	Shop
JSWM jet pumps	4	R2 224 – R3 096	Shop
JLM cast iron jet pumps	3	R2 184 – R3 909	Shop
GJS stainless steel jet pumps	6	R2 530 – R3 429	Shop
Intelligent VSD boosters	8	R4 999 – R15 911	Shop
AP fountain pumps	4	R169 – R529	Shop

Prices include VAT and are correct at the time of writing. For DZA stainless steel flanged pumps see the Vega DZA guide.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Booster Pump Guide — all brands
• Vega DZA Pumps — stainless steel flanged pumps
• Vega DL Pumps — vertical multistage
• Vega Pump Accessories
• Vega Pumps
• Vega Surface Pumps — shop the category