A booster set is a pump, or pumps, already mounted on a skid with the manifold, pressure tank, valves and controls plumbed together. You set it down, connect suction and discharge, and have power connected. For an apartment block, hotel, office or factory, that's a lot less site work than building the same thing from loose parts.
The booster pump sets PSA stocks are Hyjet units built around the HMV vertical multistage pump, with a variable speed drive on each pump. They come in two forms: 1P (single pump) and 2P (dual pump). Choosing between them is mostly a question of what happens when a pump is out of service.
What's in the set
Per the listings, every set uses Hyjet HMV stainless vertical multistage pumps with a matched E-series VSD controller per pump, mounted on a galvanised steel skid with stainless 304 manifolds, a pressure tank and all associated valves and fittings. The larger sets come with an 18L tank; the smaller ones with an 8L tank. The dual sets list a 2-year manufacturer warranty and an IP55 control box with a main switch for each pump. The single sets list dry-run protection and optional remote monitoring and BMS integration (ask PSA about these).
What the second pump buys you
A dual set runs the two pumps in parallel, with duty/standby redundancy. If one pump fails or is taken off line for a service, the other keeps the building supplied. With a single set, a pump failure means no boosted water until it's fixed.
That matters most where losing water is a real problem: apartments, aged care, hotels, hospitals, and buildings where the upper floors don't get usable pressure from the mains alone. For a single large house or a site where a short outage is tolerable, a single set is often enough.
What it costs
At listed prices, a dual set costs a little over twice the matching single set:
| Pump | Single (1P) | Dual (2P) | Extra for the dual set |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMV3-7-E1 (1.1kW, 240V) | $4,758.55 | $11,248.55 | $6,490.00 |
| HMV5-7-E1 (1.5kW, 240V) | $4,879.55 | $11,743.55 | $6,864.00 |
| HMV9-6-E114 (2.2kW, 240V) | $7,134.55 | $16,974.05 | $9,839.50 |
| HMV18-9-E318 (6.6kW, 400V 3 phase) | $17,375.55 | $37,907.05 | $20,531.50 |
For comparison, the HMV3-7-E1 pump on its own is $4,071.05, so the single set adds $687.50 for the skid, manifold, tank and fittings. That's usually less than the labour to build the same assembly on site.
Sizing it
- Peak flow. Estimate the flow the building needs at its busiest, not the flow of every outlet at once. A hydraulic consultant will usually do this for a multi-residential or commercial building.
- Pressure at the top. Add the height from the pump to the highest outlet, the friction loss in the riser and the residual pressure you want at that outlet. Subtract any reliable inlet pressure if you're boosting from mains.
- Read the curve. Check that duty point against the pump curve in the datasheet under Downloads. On a dual set, check whether the duty point is met by one pump or needs both running together.
- Supply. The sets range from 240V (up to the 3.0kW HMV18-4-E114) to 400V/415V three phase on the larger pumps. A licensed electrician must connect hard-wired and three phase equipment.
- Connection to mains. Boosting directly off a water main is controlled by your local water authority, and usually needs approval and backflow protection. Check the requirements before you design the system.
For a single-pump job without the skid, see our guide to VSD pressure pumps. All sets are available to order on backorder; contact PSA to confirm lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does duty/standby mean on a booster set?
A dual set has two pumps, so one can keep supplying the building if the other fails or is being serviced. A single set has no backup pump.
How much more is a dual booster set?
At listed prices, a Hyjet dual set costs a little over twice the matching single set, from $6,490.00 more on the smallest pump to $20,531.50 more on the 6.6kW pump.
What's included in a Hyjet booster set?
The pump or pumps with a VSD controller each, a galvanised skid, stainless 304 manifolds, a pressure tank (8L or 18L) and the associated valves and fittings.
Can a booster set connect directly to the water main?
Only with your water authority's approval. Direct mains boosting usually needs a permit and backflow protection, so check the local rules before designing the system.