Masdaf – ModulA Blue circulation pump for hot water supply
ModulA Blue — a wet-rotor circulation pump for domestic hot water circuits. The flow rate ranges from 0 to 11.5 m³/h, the head from 0 to 12 m, and the operating temperature from +15 to +85 °C. Connections: 1½” or DN 40 at the inlet and outlet. The pump belongs to the group industrial pumps Masdaf operates in continuous circulation mode rather than starting from scratch.
What does a circulation pump do in a domestic hot water system?
In a building with an extensive hot-water distribution network, the water in the pipes between the taps cools down. Without circulation, the user has to run off the cool water until hot water comes through — this is a waste of water and time, and in long circuits, there is also a risk of limescale build-up in the pipes. A circulation pump drives water round the ‘boiler – risers – boiler’ loop, maintaining the temperature throughout the system. Hence its specifications: the head required is low, as the circuit is closed and there is no geodetic rise, but it must operate continuously. Therefore, the main selection criterion here is not maximum performance but energy consumption.
A wet rotor — what does that mean in practice?
In a wet-rotor pump, the motor rotor rotates directly in the water being pumped, which simultaneously lubricates the bearings and dissipates heat from the windings. This has three consequences. Firstly, there is no shaft seal, and therefore no typical point of leakage or scheduled replacement of the packing. Secondly, the pump operates quietly as there is no motor cooling fan: the manufacturer specifically highlights its quiet operation. Thirdly, the design requires the circuit to be filled; dry starting is not permitted for this type of pump.
Three control modes
The manufacturer has incorporated a self-learning control system with three control modes into the ModulA Blue.
| Mode | How it works | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Proportional pressure | the pressure varies in line with the flow rate | branching networks with variable water consumption |
| Constant pressure | the pressure remains constant regardless of the flow rate | circuits with a small resistance drop |
| Constant speed | the pump operates at a fixed speed | simple circuits, debugging, backup mode |
Motor protection is built into the pump itself. Operating and fault messages can be configured, and the interface is available as an option.
Technical specifications of the ModulA Blue
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | wet-rotor circulation pump for domestic hot water |
| Capacity | 0 - 11.5 m³/h |
| Pressure | 0 – 12 m |
| Inlet connection | 1½” or DN 40 |
| Outgoing connection | 1½” or DN 40 |
| Fluid temperature | +15 … +85 °C |
| Regulation | proportional pressure, constant pressure, constant flow rate |
| Engine protection | built-in |
| Alarm system | Operational and fault messages, with configuration options |
| Energy efficiency | EEI value according to Ecodesign |
| Manufacturer’s documentation | TSE EN 16297-1; operating instructions for flanged and threaded versions |
What does the EEI index show?
For wet-rotor circulation pumps, the European Union has introduced the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI): the lower the value, the less energy the pump consumes to achieve the same hydraulic performance. The ModulA Blue has a declared EEI value in accordance with Ecodesign, and compliance is confirmed by a TSE certificate to the EN 16297-1 standard — this is precisely the standard used to measure the EEI for glandless circulation pumps. For a project being commissioned in accordance with European requirements, this is a ready-made document rather than a calculation. We have described the same approach for the multi-stage series, where different regulations apply — Ecodesign for water pumps.
Where is ModulA Blue used?
- hot water circulation in residential and commercial buildings;
- industrial hot water circuits — process and heating;
- hot water circuits heated by solar collectors.
How does a circulation pump differ from a multistage pump?
These are different tasks, and confusing them can prove costly. Masdaf’s multi-stage series — KMU, OMK, KME — create pressure within the system: they lift water to a height and overcome the resistance of the pipework, thereby providing tens and hundreds of metres of head. ModulA Blue does not generate pressure in the system: it merely circulates the existing water in a closed loop, and a head of 12 metres is sufficient here. If a building requires both functions, two different pumps are installed: a multistage pump for pressure boosting and a circulation pump for maintaining the temperature in the DHW circuit.
Selection, supply and service from Steiner Ukraine
Steiner Ukraine is the official representative of Masdaf in Ukraine. To select a ModulA Blue, the following information is required: the length and diameters of the circulation ring, the calculated heat loss of the circuit, the required temperature at the furthest point, the connection method (flanged or threaded) and the system’s operating mode — round-the-clock or on a schedule. Based on this information, we determine the model size, agree on the control mode and provide the specification along with energy efficiency documentation. Installation, commissioning and maintenance are included in our services.
