🔍 Key Concepts

• Centrifugal pump operation and what causes unusual shaft loading • How misalignment or hydraulic imbalance can affect shaft packing wear • Differences between problems that affect seals vs. packing vs. bearings

💭 Think About

• Which condition would increase side load, vibration, or misalignment on the shaft where the packing is located? • Which option mainly affects internal leakage control rather than directly causing rapid packing wear? • Which condition is actually normal or unrelated to mechanical wear at the stuffing box?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choice would most directly cause shaft movement or misalignment at the stuffing box • Eliminate any choices that primarily relate to internal sealing surfaces and not to the packing gland • Consider which condition would be continuous during pump operation, steadily accelerating packing wear