The main relief valve is located on which side of the pump?

The main relief valve is located on which side of the pump?

• A. Suction side
• B. Discharge side
• C. Inlet side
• D. Outlet side

Answer: (B)

The main relief valve is placed on the discharge side to protect the system from overpressure after the pump. When the pump pushes water through the discharge line and pressure climbs above the valve’s setting, the relief valve opens and directs some flow back toward the source (often the suction side) or to a reservoir. This keeps the downstream piping and equipment safe from damage. If the valve were on the suction side, it would only relieve pressure on the pump’s intake and wouldn’t prevent high pressure in the discharge line, so the critical protection point is the discharge side.

The main relief valve is placed on the discharge side to protect the system from overpressure after the pump. When the pump pushes water through the discharge line and pressure climbs above the valve’s setting, the relief valve opens and directs some flow back toward the source (often the suction side) or to a reservoir. This keeps the downstream piping and equipment safe from damage. If the valve were on the suction side, it would only relieve pressure on the pump’s intake and wouldn’t prevent high pressure in the discharge line, so the critical protection point is the discharge side.