In a primary-secondary pumping arrangement, the largest circulator pump is typically located on the primary side, as it needs to handle the full system demand consistently.
In a primary-secondary pumping arrangement, the purpose of the primary pump is to ensure that the boiler or chiller has constant flow while the secondary pumps are tasked with distributing water to various zones as needed. Typically, the largest circulator pump would be located on the primary side.
This is because the primary loop circulates water through the main heating or cooling source without interruption, requiring a larger pump to manage the demands of the entire system.
The secondary pumps, on the other hand, are responsible for the distribution of heating or cooling to different building zones, and they can be smaller as they handle varying loads based on zone requirements. Thus, in general, the primary pump must cater to the full system demand, which is why it is often the larger of the two.
The larger pump is essential to maintain adequate pressure and flow through the boiler or chiller, ensuring the system operates efficiently even during periods of peak demand.