Franklin Electric · Packaged Pressure Boosting System
VR SpecPAK Triplex Booster System
Three VR vertical multistage pumps in parallel, a Cerus X-Drive VFD on every pump, and one PLC panel that stages, alternates and reports to the building automation system. 1 to 60 HP per pump, to 1,900 GPM.
25-360 PSI Max Boost · 85-1,900 GPM Max Flow
3 x 1-60 HP
208-230V 1Ph/3Ph, 460V or 575V 3Ph
230-460 PSI Max Working Pressure by Model
3-6 in (3VR-45VR) Grooved 316SS Headers
Cerus X-Drive VFD on Every Pump
BACnet IP and Modbus TCP
N+1 Standby or All-Duty Sizing
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372
UL 508A Panel, 100 kA SCCR
58-82 W x 36-43 D x 64-79 H in (3VR-45VR)
Indoor Installation (NEMA 1 Panel)
Overview
The VR SpecPAK is Franklin Electric's engineered booster package for large buildings: three VR Series vertical multistage pumps on one welded frame, each on its own Cerus X-Drive variable frequency drive, run as one system from a PLC panel with a 7 in color touchscreen. It holds a constant discharge pressure from a trickle to full building demand, rotates the lead pump to share the hours, and keeps the building at pressure when a pump, a drive or a pressure sensor is out of service. It is built for the buildings where low pressure is not an option: data centers, hospitals, high-rise towers, hotels and campuses.
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Redundant by design — size it N+1 with a pump on standby, a backup discharge transducer that takes over automatically, and drives that keep running when one faults.
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Talks to the BMS — BACnet IP and Modbus TCP over Ethernet, with data and alarm logs on a 64 GB SD card in the HMI.
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Serviceable while running — fused branch disconnects and isolation valves on every pump.
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Power quality — a line reactor ahead of the drives limits harmonics; UL 508A panel rated 100 kA SCCR.
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Factory proven — hydrostatically tested to its maximum working pressure, hydraulically tested at your design point and shipped programmed.
What Ships and What It Needs to Run
Included: 3 VR pumps with TEFC motors and 3 Cerus X-Drive VFDs, pre-wired; control panel with PLC, 7 in HMI, 64 GB SD card, line reactor, main disconnect and fused branch disconnects; 316 stainless suction and discharge manifolds with two grooved end caps; suction and discharge isolation valves, a silent check valve and a thermal relief valve on every pump; one suction and two discharge pressure transducers with gauges; welded frame with fork pockets; owner's manuals.
Pressure relief valve required, ordered separately. Franklin requires a relief valve sized for full pump flow near the discharge, piped to a drain that can take full system flow.
Site isolation valves, piping and any hydropneumatic tank: sized to the building and supplied by the installer.
Genuine Franklin Electric equipment, factory-new in original packaging — sold and supported by Watermain Supply, an independent industrial supplier.
Franklin Electric Warranty — Extendable to 36 Months
Franklin Electric warrants the package against defects in workmanship and material for 12 months from the date of install or 24 months from the date of manufacture, whichever occurs first. A completed and approved Start-Up and Commissioning Checklist extends it to 36 months from the date of installation. The form is on the Data Sheet tab.
Redundancy — N+1 Standby or All Pumps on Duty
Same hardware either way: redundancy is the flow split each pump is sized for against your peak demand.
| Flow split |
Pumps carrying peak |
With one pump out |
Where it fits |
| 3 x 50% (N+1) |
2, one on standby |
Full design flow |
Data centers, hospitals, high-rise domestic water, any building that cannot lose pressure |
| 3 x 33% (all duty) |
All 3 |
66% of design flow |
Lowest cost per GPM where reduced flow during service is acceptable |
The Performance tables carry both: Max GPM, all 3 running and Max GPM, one on standby. Same pump models, other pump counts: Duplex · Quadplex · Quintuplex · Sextuplex.
Controls and Building Integration
| Building automation |
Ethernet RJ45 port for BACnet IP and Modbus TCP; remote enable input and relay outputs for alarms and run status. No app: remote monitoring runs through the BMS |
| Operator interface |
7 in color touchscreen, 800 x 600; system and drive settings from one screen; password levels |
| Records |
Pressure and power data logs, timestamped fault log, stored on a 64 GB SD card in the HMI |
| Pressure sensing |
Suction transducer plus primary and backup discharge transducers; the backup takes over automatically if the primary fails |
| Fault tolerance |
Constant pressure with a failed pump; on a fault or power loss at any VFD the remaining drives keep running |
| Staging and protection |
Lead-lag staging with alternation and sleep; low suction shutdown, overpressure, underload (dry run) and stall protection |
Specifications
| Configuration |
Triplex, 3 pumps in parallel on one welded frame |
| Pumps |
Franklin VR vertical multistage, 3VR to 95VR; 1 to 60 HP per pump |
| Motors |
NEMA standard TC/TSC frame, close-coupled; standard replacement motors fit |
| Input power |
208-230V 1Ph to 15 HP per pump; 208-230V 3Ph to 30 HP; 460V 3Ph to 60 HP; 575V 3Ph to 50 HP |
| Control panel |
UL 508A, NEMA 1, SCCR 100 kAIC minimum; main disconnect and fused branch disconnects |
| Manifolds |
316 stainless steel, grooved ends, either end connects (reversible end caps) |
| Max working pressure |
230, 360, 375 or 460 PSI by model, per Franklin's package drawing |
| Fluid and ambient |
To 104°F (40°C), full rating to 3,281 ft altitude; above 104°F Franklin reviews the application |
| Pump efficiency |
56% (3VR) to 79% (95VR) at best efficiency, pump alone, per FE Select |
| Standards |
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372; ASHRAE 90.1-2010 compliant |
Models and Performance — Will It Do What You Need?
Every figure is pressure the system adds to what arrives at the suction. Pick the pump family whose flow covers your peak demand, then the model whose pressure at that flow covers your boost. Select Boost - Flow, then voltage, in the options.
| Pump family |
HP per pump |
Max boost, PSI |
Max GPM, all 3 running |
Max GPM, one on standby |
Pump efficiency at best efficiency |
| 3VR |
1-3 |
77-261 |
88-89 |
58-59 |
56% |
| 6VR |
1-7 1/2 |
46-363 |
142-158 |
94-105 |
64-66% |
| 10VR |
1 1/2-15 |
41-353 |
288-293 |
192-195 |
69% |
| 15VR |
2-20 |
29-357 |
402-420 |
268-280 |
66-70% |
| 20VR |
2-20 |
31-320 |
451-472 |
301-314 |
67-70% |
| 30VR |
5-30 |
48-321 |
669-680 |
446-453 |
73-74% |
| 45VR |
7 1/2-40 |
49-279 |
1,044-1,065 |
696-710 |
76-77% |
| 65VR |
7 1/2-60 |
39-272 |
1,393-1,431 |
929-954 |
77-78% |
| 95VR |
15-60 |
45-220 |
1,876-1,908 |
1,250-1,272 |
78-79% |
3VR to 10VR — 18 models, 1-15 HP per pump
Pressure and flow
| Model |
HP |
0 GPM (Shut-off) |
GPM at best efficiency, all 3 |
Pump efficiency at best efficiency |
Max GPM, all 3 |
PSI at max GPM |
Max GPM, one on standby |
| 3VR05 |
1 |
77 |
49 |
56.3% |
89 |
5 |
59 |
| 3VR08 |
1 1/2 |
124 |
50 |
56.3% |
89 |
8 |
59 |
| 3VR11 |
2 |
170 |
49 |
56.3% |
89 |
11 |
59 |
| 3VR17 |
3 |
261 |
49 |
56.3% |
88 |
17 |
58 |
| 6VR03 |
1 |
46 |
98 |
64.0% |
143 |
8 |
95 |
| 6VR05 |
1 1/2 |
77 |
97 |
64.0% |
143 |
14 |
95 |
| 6VR07 |
2 |
108 |
97 |
64.0% |
143 |
19 |
95 |
| 6VR11 |
3 |
169 |
96 |
64.0% |
142 |
30 |
94 |
| 6VR15 |
5 |
234 |
97 |
65.6% |
157 |
5 |
104 |
| 6VR19 |
5 |
294 |
96 |
65.7% |
156 |
6 |
104 |
| 6VR23 |
7 1/2 |
363 |
98 |
65.7% |
158 |
8 |
105 |
| 10VR02 |
1 1/2 |
41 |
177 |
68.8% |
291 |
3 |
194 |
| 10VR03 |
2 |
61 |
176 |
68.8% |
290 |
5 |
193 |
| 10VR04 |
3 |
81 |
176 |
68.8% |
289 |
7 |
192 |
| 10VR07 |
5 |
143 |
176 |
68.8% |
288 |
12 |
192 |
| 10VR11 |
7 1/2 |
227 |
178 |
68.8% |
292 |
20 |
194 |
| 10VR15 |
10 |
308 |
176 |
68.8% |
289 |
27 |
193 |
| 10VR17 |
15 |
353 |
179 |
68.8% |
293 |
32 |
195 |
Low flow, suction and power, per pump
| Model |
Min continuous flow, GPM |
Preferred range, GPM |
NPSH required at best efficiency, ft |
NPSH required at max flow, ft |
Max brake HP |
| 3VR05 |
7.5 |
11-19 |
6.3 |
19.1 |
1.0 |
| 3VR08 |
7.5 |
11-20 |
6.4 |
19.1 |
1.6 |
| 3VR11 |
7.5 |
11-19 |
6.3 |
19.0 |
2.2 |
| 3VR17 |
7.5 |
11-19 |
6.2 |
18.7 |
3.3 |
| 6VR03 |
15.4 |
23-39 |
8.9 |
14.4 |
0.9 |
| 6VR05 |
15.4 |
22-39 |
8.8 |
14.4 |
1.5 |
| 6VR07 |
15.4 |
22-39 |
8.7 |
14.3 |
2.1 |
| 6VR11 |
15.4 |
22-38 |
8.6 |
14.1 |
3.2 |
| 6VR15 |
15.4 |
22-38 |
8.7 |
16.6 |
4.3 |
| 6VR19 |
15.4 |
22-38 |
8.6 |
16.3 |
5.3 |
| 6VR23 |
15.4 |
23-39 |
8.9 |
16.9 |
6.9 |
| 10VR02 |
33.0 |
41-71 |
10.8 |
29.2 |
1.5 |
| 10VR03 |
33.0 |
41-70 |
10.7 |
28.9 |
2.2 |
| 10VR04 |
33.0 |
41-70 |
10.6 |
28.7 |
2.9 |
| 10VR07 |
33.0 |
41-70 |
10.6 |
28.7 |
5.0 |
| 10VR11 |
33.0 |
41-71 |
10.9 |
29.3 |
8.2 |
| 10VR15 |
33.0 |
41-70 |
10.6 |
28.8 |
10.8 |
| 10VR17 |
33.0 |
41-71 |
11.0 |
29.5 |
12.7 |
15VR to 30VR — 19 models, 2-30 HP per pump
Pressure and flow
| Model |
HP |
0 GPM (Shut-off) |
GPM at best efficiency, all 3 |
Pump efficiency at best efficiency |
Max GPM, all 3 |
PSI at max GPM |
Max GPM, one on standby |
| 15VR01 |
2 |
29 |
258 |
66.0% |
402 |
7 |
268 |
| 15VR03 |
5 |
88 |
260 |
66.0% |
404 |
22 |
269 |
| 15VR04 |
7 1/2 |
119 |
262 |
66.0% |
408 |
30 |
272 |
| 15VR06 |
10 |
179 |
263 |
66.0% |
408 |
46 |
272 |
| 15VR09 |
15 |
269 |
276 |
69.8% |
420 |
56 |
280 |
| 15VR12 |
20 |
357 |
275 |
69.8% |
419 |
74 |
279 |
| 20VR01 |
2 |
31 |
292 |
66.6% |
451 |
9 |
301 |
| 20VR02 |
5 |
63 |
300 |
66.6% |
464 |
20 |
309 |
| 20VR03 |
7 1/2 |
95 |
301 |
66.6% |
465 |
30 |
310 |
| 20VR04 |
10 |
128 |
303 |
66.6% |
468 |
40 |
312 |
| 20VR07 |
15 |
225 |
314 |
69.6% |
472 |
73 |
314 |
| 20VR10 |
20 |
320 |
312 |
69.6% |
469 |
103 |
312 |
| 30VR01 |
5 |
48 |
562 |
74.0% |
669 |
25 |
446 |
| 30VR021A |
7 1/2 |
84 |
521 |
72.6% |
669 |
41 |
446 |
| 30VR02 |
10 |
98 |
567 |
74.0% |
676 |
52 |
451 |
| 30VR03 |
15 |
147 |
567 |
74.0% |
676 |
79 |
451 |
| 30VR052A |
20 |
219 |
530 |
72.9% |
671 |
108 |
447 |
| 30VR062A |
25 |
271 |
542 |
73.1% |
679 |
137 |
453 |
| 30VR072A |
30 |
321 |
547 |
73.2% |
680 |
164 |
453 |
Low flow, suction and power, per pump
| Model |
Min continuous flow, GPM |
Preferred range, GPM |
NPSH required at best efficiency, ft |
NPSH required at max flow, ft |
Max brake HP |
| 15VR01 |
44.0 |
60-103 |
7.9 |
21.7 |
1.6 |
| 15VR03 |
44.0 |
60-104 |
8.0 |
22.0 |
4.9 |
| 15VR04 |
44.0 |
61-104 |
8.1 |
22.4 |
6.7 |
| 15VR06 |
44.0 |
61-105 |
8.2 |
22.5 |
10.2 |
| 15VR09 |
44.0 |
64-110 |
8.8 |
24.9 |
14.7 |
| 15VR12 |
44.0 |
64-110 |
8.7 |
24.8 |
19.4 |
| 20VR01 |
52.8 |
68-117 |
10.8 |
20.8 |
2.1 |
| 20VR02 |
52.8 |
70-120 |
11.3 |
21.9 |
4.6 |
| 20VR03 |
52.8 |
70-120 |
11.4 |
22.1 |
7.0 |
| 20VR04 |
52.8 |
70-121 |
11.6 |
22.4 |
9.5 |
| 20VR07 |
52.8 |
73-125 |
12.2 |
22.6 |
15.7 |
| 20VR10 |
52.8 |
72-124 |
12.0 |
22.3 |
22.0 |
| 30VR01 |
123.3 |
131-223 |
16.9 |
28.8 |
4.8 |
| 30VR021A |
123.3 |
123-208 |
14.2 |
28.7 |
8.2 |
| 30VR02 |
123.3 |
132-225 |
17.2 |
29.4 |
9.9 |
| 30VR03 |
123.3 |
132-225 |
17.2 |
29.3 |
14.8 |
| 30VR052A |
123.3 |
123-212 |
14.8 |
28.9 |
21.3 |
| 30VR062A |
123.3 |
126-217 |
15.5 |
29.6 |
27.1 |
| 30VR072A |
123.3 |
127-218 |
15.7 |
29.7 |
32.2 |
45VR to 95VR — 21 models, 7 1/2-60 HP per pump
Pressure and flow
| Model |
HP |
0 GPM (Shut-off) |
GPM at best efficiency, all 3 |
Pump efficiency at best efficiency |
Max GPM, all 3 |
PSI at max GPM |
Max GPM, one on standby |
| 45VR01 |
7 1/2 |
49 |
762 |
77.5% |
1,044 |
23 |
696 |
| 45VR02 |
15 |
98 |
766 |
77.5% |
1,050 |
48 |
700 |
| 45VR031A |
20 |
137 |
738 |
76.5% |
1,045 |
61 |
697 |
| 45VR03 |
25 |
149 |
773 |
77.5% |
1,060 |
74 |
707 |
| 45VR041A |
30 |
188 |
755 |
76.7% |
1,060 |
88 |
707 |
| 45VR062A |
40 |
279 |
752 |
76.5% |
1,065 |
128 |
710 |
| 65VR011A |
7 1/2 |
39 |
939 |
76.9% |
1,393 |
14 |
929 |
| 65VR022A |
15 |
78 |
945 |
76.9% |
1,402 |
29 |
934 |
| 65VR021A |
20 |
95 |
1,017 |
77.2% |
1,398 |
45 |
932 |
| 65VR032A |
25 |
136 |
999 |
77.0% |
1,409 |
60 |
939 |
| 65VR031A |
30 |
153 |
1,050 |
77.4% |
1,411 |
76 |
941 |
| 65VR042A |
40 |
195 |
1,033 |
77.2% |
1,423 |
93 |
948 |
| 65VR052A |
50 |
252 |
1,048 |
77.3% |
1,422 |
124 |
948 |
| 65VR051A |
60 |
272 |
1,084 |
77.6% |
1,431 |
142 |
954 |
| 95VR011A |
15 |
45 |
1,205 |
77.9% |
1,883 |
13 |
1,255 |
| 95VR01 |
20 |
62 |
1,313 |
79.3% |
1,876 |
27 |
1,250 |
| 95VR022A |
25 |
91 |
1,206 |
77.9% |
1,885 |
27 |
1,257 |
| 95VR021A |
30 |
108 |
1,264 |
78.6% |
1,887 |
42 |
1,258 |
| 95VR032A |
40 |
155 |
1,251 |
78.3% |
1,896 |
56 |
1,264 |
| 95VR03 |
50 |
189 |
1,326 |
79.3% |
1,897 |
85 |
1,265 |
| 95VR042A |
60 |
220 |
1,277 |
78.6% |
1,908 |
85 |
1,272 |
Low flow, suction and power, per pump
| Model |
Min continuous flow, GPM |
Preferred range, GPM |
NPSH required at best efficiency, ft |
NPSH required at max flow, ft |
Max brake HP |
| 45VR01 |
176.1 |
177-304 |
18.1 |
37.0 |
7.6 |
| 45VR02 |
176.1 |
178-306 |
18.3 |
37.5 |
15.5 |
| 45VR031A |
176.1 |
176-295 |
17.0 |
37.1 |
21.0 |
| 45VR03 |
176.1 |
180-309 |
18.6 |
38.2 |
23.9 |
| 45VR041A |
176.1 |
176-302 |
17.8 |
38.2 |
29.9 |
| 45VR062A |
176.1 |
176-301 |
17.6 |
38.5 |
44.4 |
| 65VR011A |
154.1 |
219-375 |
13.6 |
54.5 |
7.6 |
| 65VR022A |
154.1 |
220-378 |
13.8 |
55.1 |
15.4 |
| 65VR021A |
154.1 |
237-406 |
16.3 |
54.9 |
19.3 |
| 65VR032A |
154.1 |
233-399 |
15.6 |
55.7 |
27.5 |
| 65VR031A |
154.1 |
245-420 |
17.6 |
55.9 |
31.8 |
| 65VR042A |
154.1 |
241-413 |
16.8 |
56.8 |
40.6 |
| 65VR052A |
154.1 |
244-419 |
17.4 |
56.8 |
52.8 |
| 65VR051A |
154.1 |
252-433 |
19.1 |
57.5 |
58.2 |
| 95VR011A |
242.2 |
281-482 |
14.2 |
51.9 |
11.8 |
| 95VR01 |
242.2 |
306-525 |
16.8 |
51.5 |
16.1 |
| 95VR022A |
242.2 |
281-482 |
14.3 |
52.0 |
23.8 |
| 95VR021A |
242.2 |
295-505 |
15.5 |
52.1 |
28.3 |
| 95VR032A |
242.2 |
292-500 |
15.2 |
52.6 |
40.8 |
| 95VR03 |
242.2 |
309-530 |
17.1 |
52.6 |
50.0 |
| 95VR042A |
242.2 |
298-510 |
15.8 |
53.2 |
58.4 |
Pressure added in PSI. Source: Franklin Electric FE Select performance data sheets for each VR SpecPAK build (60 Hz, full speed), using the points Franklin tabulates: shut-off, minimum continuous stable flow (MCSF), best efficiency and end of curve. Flows are per-pump figures multiplied by the pumps running; head converted at feet = PSI x 2.31 and rounded down. Pump efficiency is the pump alone, without motor and drive losses. NPSH required is Franklin's figure with no margin added. Max brake HP is the highest of the tabulated points at full speed, per pump. Preferred range is derived as 70-120% of the best efficiency flow per pump (ANSI/HI 9.6.3), never below the min continuous flow; Franklin plots its own preferred operating region on each submittal curve. The option values round max boost down to 5 PSI and max flow down to 10 GPM; Franklin rates the 2- to 4-pump line to 2,400 GPM, so option values stop there. Full curves are in each build's submittal on the Data Sheet tab.
Drawing from a tank or cistern — nothing arrives with pressure, so the table figure is what the building gets. Fed by a city main — the pumps add on top of the incoming pressure, and the panel holds the setpoint you enter; incoming pressure buys more flow at that setpoint. A hydropneumatic tank on the discharge lets the system sleep at night-time demand.
Low demand — below the min continuous flow column a pump should not run for long; the panel sleeps at no demand and the tank carries the trickle. Best efficiency — size so the pumps on duty spend most of their hours inside the preferred range; that is where energy use, seal and bearing life are best.
Before You Buy — The Limits That Decide the Fit
| Peak demand and redundancy |
Size the one-on-standby column to your peak where the building cannot lose pressure; the all-running column where it can. |
| System pressure |
Incoming pressure plus pressure added must stay under the model's max working pressure (230-460 PSI), shown on its package drawing. |
| Water and room |
Fluid and ambient to 104°F; NEMA 1 panel for an indoor mechanical room out of direct sunlight. |
| Suction |
Flooded or pressurized suction. NPSH available at the inlet must exceed the NPSH required column at your flow, with margin; check it when the pumps draw from a ground-level tank. |
| Power |
Voltage is fixed by the build you select. Max brake HP per pump sets the load; panel full-load amps on the submittal size the feeder. |
| Access and rigging |
Packages with 30VR pumps and smaller fit through a 36 in opening without disassembly; larger ones ship on their frame, so check the path to the room. |
| Ordering |
Built to order in about 12 weeks; we confirm the build in Franklin FE Select and send the submittal for approval before release. |
Installation Notes
- Fit isolation valves near the package inlet and outlet; they ease startup and keep the discharge line full during service.
- Pipe each thermal relief valve outlet to a drain; the valves open fully at 110°F to protect pumps running against a closed discharge.
- Fill the suction header with site water and vent each pump before first start.
- Set the frame on a level foundation rated for the operating weight; move it only by the fork pockets.
From the VR SpecPAK Owner's Manual (10000007073) and written specification (M5247).
Applications
Domestic water boosting for high-rise residential, hotels, hospitals and office towers; data center domestic and makeup water; campuses and multi-building sites; industrial process water, irrigation and municipal pressure zones.
Materials of Construction
| Pump casing, 3VR-20VR |
316L stainless steel |
| Pump casing, 30VR-95VR |
Cast iron standard; 316 stainless steel option |
| Impellers and diffusers |
316 stainless steel |
| Shaft seal |
Cartridge, silicon carbide / carbon / EPDM |
| Manifolds and end caps |
316 stainless steel |
| Thermal relief valves, gauge internals |
316 stainless steel |
