For over a century, Bell and Gossett has been a leading manufacturer of hydronic equipment and has set industry standards for product reliability and efficiency.
Today, Bell and Gossett products are present in boiler rooms, mechanical plants, and HVAC systems across schools, hospitals, office buildings, domestic systems, and industrial facilities.
The Bell and Gossett PL Series is a pump range designed for hydronic heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems. Known for durability, with optional lead-free bronze construction, PL Series pumps continue to be a trusted solution across commercial, residential, and light industrial applications.
If you are replacing an older Bell and Gossett circulator pump, designing a new hydronic loop, or troubleshooting circulation issues, this article explains how the Bell and Gossett PL Series fits into a system, its main applications, features, and technical specifications.
What Is the Bell and Gossett PL Series?
Understanding the PL Series Design
The Bell and Gossett PL Series consists of close-coupled, bronze-body pumps designed for continuous-duty operation. Depending on system requirements, B & G pumps can function as primary circulators, secondary loop pumps, or domestic hot water recirculation pumps.
The Bell & Gossett pumps have a dry-motor design for more performance and quiet operation in hydronic, radiant, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. These inline, permanently lubricated pumps are available with cast-iron or lead-free bronze bodies (this version is identified by adding''B'' to their model references).
Models Available
Model arrangement available with maximum flow rate and head:
- PL-30
- PL-36
- PL-45
- PL-50
- PL-55
- PL-75
- PL-100
- PL-130
Model numbers generally indicate performance tiers; confirm selection using the curve based on the required GPM and head.
Operating Data
Below are the maximum operating parameters:
- Maximum Working Pressure: 150 PSI (10.3 bar)
- Maximum Operating Temperature: 225°F (107°C)
- Voltage/Phase options: 115V/60Hz/1PH / 220V/60Hz/1PH (upon request)
- Connection Size Range: 3/4'' - 3''
- Flow Range: 30 - 135 GPM
- Head Range: 15 - 53 ft
Materials of Construction
The Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps have some construction options. Below are the available materials options:
- Pump Body: Cast Iron / Lead-Free* Bronze (B-Version)
- Face Plate: Stainless Steel
- Impeller: Glass Filled PPS / 30% Glass Filled Noryl® / Stainless Steel / Carbon Steel with a Stainless Steel Shaft Sleeve
- Seal: Carbon on Silicon Carbide
- Motor Bearings: Sealed Precision Steel Ball Bearing Permanently Lubricated
- Motor Type: ODP
- Elastomers: EPDM
*CSA certified to NSF/ANSI 372, that product contains less than 0.25% lead content by weight on wetted surface, for this version the letter ''B'' will be added in the model product code.
Below is the standard Bell and Gossett PL Series pump scheme:
- Conduit box
- Shaft sleeve
- Body gasket
- Pump body
- Cover plate ASM
- Impeller ASM W/ threaded hub
- Seal ASM
- Front bearing
- Housing/ stator ASM
- Shaft/rotor ASM
- Rear bearing
Please get in touch with Liberty Supply for the availability of construction materials.
Seal Components
Below is an exploded view of the Bell and Gossett PL series pump seal and its components:
- Seal cup
- Seal seat
- Carbon seal head
- Seal cage
- Seal spring
- Backup ring
- O-ring
- Packaged together as an assembly
If you are looking for Bell and Gossett replacement parts for pumps, feel free to navigate our website for any support you need: Bell and Gossett Pump Parts.
Bell and Gossett PL Series Main Features
The Bell and Gossett PL Series close-coupled pumps are permanently lubricated, specifically designed for quiet operation, with the following main features of the range:
- Dry-motor design
- Machined balanced rotor
- Solid “Stiff-Shaft”
- XL-11™ Precision-Crafted Bearing System
- Permanently oil lubricated
- Low Maintenance
- Advanced close-coupled design
- Carbon/silicon carbide seal + stainless steel shaft sleeve
- Double-sided stainless steel neck ring
Typical Applications for Bell and Gossett PL Series Pumps
Hydronic Heating Systems
Bell and Gossett PL Series circulator pumps are commonly used in:
- Commercial boiler systems
- Water heating loops
- Radiant floor heating systems
The bronze construction option makes Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps suitable for closed-loop heating systems for corrosion resistance and long service life.
Boiler Loop Circulation
In boiler rooms, Bell and Gossett PL Series delivers water flow to the system components. If well-sized, the efficiency can be considerably higher than other pump arrangements.
Radiant Floor and Baseboard Heating
For zoned hydronic heating systems, Bell and Gossett PL Series circulator pumps help maintain balanced flow across multiple zones and terminal units.
Domestic Hot Water Systems
Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps are suitable for domestic hot water circulation. Facilities where hot water supply is critical, such as hotels, hospitals, apartment buildings, and schools, install these pumps to minimize wait times and maintain stable water temperatures.
Chilled Water and HVAC Circulation
Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps are used for chilled water and HVAC water circulation systems, including:
- Fan coil unit (FCU) systems
- Chiller loops
- Heat pump hydronic circuits
- Air handling units (AHUs)
Proper model selection within the Bell and Gossett PL Series is essential to ensure correct flow rates and available pressure, and to avoid inefficient operation.
Installation Best Practices for Bell and Gossett PL Series Pumps
Proper Pump Orientation and Placement
Installation should always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for correct operation and prevent mechanical issues. Below is the Bell and Gossett recommended pump position installation:
Note: The Pump body may be rotated as shown, but the conduit box must remain at the top.
Pump Application
The Bell and Gossett PL pump may be used for water-circulating applications in hydronic and solar systems. It has not been investigated, nor is it intended for use in a swimming pool or marine areas.
Glycol mixture statement
- Bell and Gossett PL pumps can circulate water and glycol mixtures up to a recommended 30% concentration and 40% for snow-melt applications.
- Pump performance is based on 77°F (25°C). Therefore, pumping of glycol mixtures will affect maximum performance, depending on mixture concentration and temperature.
Recommended accessories
- Using clean water significantly reduces the risks of seal degradation and pump failure. It is recommended to use water treatment solutions to maintain system water quality and prevent harmful deposits.
- Dirt or magnetic separators are recommended if the water is high in particulate matter, such as iron oxide and/or mineral deposits. Clean water promotes long pump life.
Field Installation
- The pump location must ensure sufficient space for inspection, maintenance, and service. Bell and Gossett recommends installing suction and discharge valves on all pumps to facilitate servicing or replacing.
- Flanges must be installed in the pipework. Teflon tape sealer or a high-quality thread sealant is recommended.
- Be sure to minimize any strain on the pump's pipes.
- Pipe hangers must be used near the pump to support suction and discharge.
- Bell and Gossett flange gaskets must be installed between the pump body flanges and the suction and discharge pipe flanges.
- Use a 7/16" diameter x 1 ½" long capscrew and a matching nut to connect the pump to the flanges.
Periodic Inspection
It is recommended that periodic inspections be conducted to check for potential pump problems. Regular inspection and maintenance of seals is crucial for extending the pump's lifespan.
Ensure that seals are checked periodically for wear and replaced as needed to prevent damage and maintain efficiency.
You can consult the PL Series web page for any further information needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps are designed for closed-loop hydronic systems, including hot-water heating, chilled-water circulation, and domestic hot-water applications. They are widely used in commercial buildings, residential projects, and light industrial applications.
Dry-rotor pumps separate the motor from the fluid using a mechanical seal. Maintenance is generally low, but seals are wear items and should be inspected. These pumps are designed for long service life when installed correctly and operated with clean system water.
Common indicators include noisy operation, excessive vibration, reduced flow, overheating, frequent tripping, or visible leakage.
Yes. Liberty Supply carries a large inventory of Bell and Gossett PL Series pumps and replacement parts, including motors, seals, and gaskets.
B&G Pumps and Parts Available in Liberty Supply
Check the B&G Pump Ranges Available
Liberty Supply is a customer-centric organization. We focus on hydronic and steam systems for commercial and industrial facilities. As a B2B distributor within the "needs business," our foundational pillars are knowledge, communication, and speed. Relationships are built through hard work and consistent delivery of value. No exceptions. Our team maintains that with each transaction, we start back at zero.
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For any further questions or support, don't hesitate to contact us:
- Phone: 844-448-0880
- Fax: 844-448-0881
- Email: [email protected]
