The TSURUMI FAMILY-12A is the automatic model in Tsurumi's FAMILY domestic pump series: a single-phase portable submersible drainage pump (listed by Tsurumi Hong Kong under Submersible Pumps › Portable Dewatering Pumps). It has a 0.1 kW single-phase motor, a 15 mm / 25 mm hose-coupling discharge and a built-in cylindrical float switch. The pump starts by itself when the water rises to a preset level and stops when it falls back, so no one has to switch it on and off. It is intended for household and light drainage work.
Hydraulically, the FAMILY-12A is identical to the standard FAMILY-12: at 50 Hz it delivers up to 6 m of head and about 0.08 m³/min (about 80 L/min). The resin-bodied pump weighs only 3.6 kg (excluding cable), so it is easy to carry and to lower into a small sump.
Selection note: the FAMILY-12A is float-controlled and stops when the water drops to about 54 mm, which suits sumps and collection points that need automatic pumping. If you need to clear surface water down to a very low level, choose the standard FAMILY-12 instead: it drains to about 12 mm as standard, or down to 1 mm with the optional residue adapter. The residue adapter does not fit the automatic FAMILY-12A. For a 110V supply, choose the FAMILY-12A (110V).
Key features
- Automatic float operation: the built-in cylindrical float switch runs the pump only when there is enough water. Avoiding dry running saves power and stops wear parts from wearing out early, extending service life.
- Top-discharge, flow-thru design: the motor stays efficiently cooled even when it runs exposed to air, and the slim body fits into confined spaces.
- Anti-wicking cable entry: if the cable sheath is damaged or the cable end gets wet, it stops water from being drawn into the motor by capillary action, and keeps moist air and condensation out of the motor housing.
- Built-in miniature thermal protector (MTP): cuts power when it detects overheating, protecting the motor against overheating and dry running.
- Inside mechanical seal: silicon carbide (SiC) faces housed in the oil chamber. Tsurumi quotes silicon carbide as having about five times the corrosion, wear and heat resistance of tungsten carbide.
- Lightweight resin construction: resin casing, semi-vortex impeller in glass-fiber reinforced resin and a 420 stainless steel shaft; 3.6 kg dry weight.
- Two hose-coupling sizes: a 25 mm hose coupling plus an easy-to-attach 15 mm hose coupling supplied as a standard accessory.
Applications
- Household drainage: automatic sump pumping and removal of standing water around the home
- Light drainage: clear or lightly dirty water in light industrial settings
Not suitable for: water carrying sand, sludge or solids; ponds and water features (Tsurumi UK does not recommend it for ponds or water features); hot water, chemicals, oil, flammable liquids or drinking water.
Performance
Maximum head is the head at zero flow, and maximum capacity is the end point of the performance curve, where head approaches zero. The two never occur together: actual flow falls as total head (static head plus hose friction loss) rises. At 50 Hz the FAMILY-12A reaches 6 m maximum head and about 0.08 m³/min (about 80 L/min) maximum capacity; at 60 Hz the figures are 7 m and about 0.08 m³/min. Hong Kong mains is 50 Hz, so use the 50 Hz figures for local use, and check the nameplate for this unit's voltage and frequency.
Technical specifications
TSURUMI FAMILY-12A technical specifications
| Item | Specification |
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| General |
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| Model | FAMILY-12A |
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| Series | FAMILY / FAMILY-A (domestic pumps) |
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| Type | Single-phase portable submersible drainage pump (automatic) |
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| Discharge bore | 15 mm / 25 mm |
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| Discharge connection | Hose coupling (25 mm, plus 15 mm hose coupling supplied) |
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| Hydraulic performance |
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| Max. head (at zero flow) | 6 m (50 Hz) / 7 m (60 Hz) |
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| Max. capacity (curve end point) | approx. 0.08 m³/min (approx. 80 L/min) |
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| Synchronous speed | 3,000 min⁻¹ (50 Hz) / 3,600 min⁻¹ (60 Hz) |
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| Automatic control |
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| Control device | Cylindrical float switch |
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| Start level | approx. 164 mm (from pump base) |
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| Stop level | approx. 54 mm (from pump base) |
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| Electrical |
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| Motor output | 0.1 kW |
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| Motor | Continuous-duty dry-type induction motor, 2-pole, insulation class E |
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| Power supply | Single-phase (voltage as per nameplate) |
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| Starting method | Capacitor run |
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| Motor protection | Built-in miniature thermal protector (MTP) |
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| Cable | 3 m, PVC |
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| Seal and lubrication |
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| Shaft seal | Inside mechanical seal, silicon carbide (SiC) faces, in oil chamber |
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| Lubricant | Liquid paraffin ISO VG15, 30 ml |
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| Materials |
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| Impeller | Semi-vortex, glass-fiber reinforced resin |
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| Casing | Resin |
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| Shaft | 420 stainless steel |
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| Dimensions and weight |
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| Dry weight (excl. cable) | 3.6 kg |
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| Body diameter | 157 mm (201 mm wide including float housing) |
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| Body height | 224 mm |
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| Overall height (with hose coupling) | 250 mm (15 mm coupling) / 256 mm (25 mm coupling) |
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Sources: Tsurumi IB101 single-phase portable pump catalogue and the official Tsurumi Hong Kong website. Voltage and rated current of the Hong Kong supply version are as per the nameplate.
FAMILY series comparison
Tsurumi FAMILY series model comparison (all models 0.1 kW, 15/25 mm discharge, 6 m max. head and approx. 80 L/min max. capacity at 50 Hz)
| Model | Operation | Power supply | Dry weight | Residue adapter (drains to 1 mm) |
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| FAMILY-12 | Manual | Single-phase (voltage as per nameplate) | 3.4 kg | Optional |
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| FAMILY-12 (110V) | Manual | Single-phase 110V | 3.4 kg | Optional |
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| FAMILY-12A (this product) | Automatic (float) | Single-phase (voltage as per nameplate) | 3.6 kg | Not applicable |
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| FAMILY-12A (110V) | Automatic (float) | Single-phase 110V | 3.6 kg | Not applicable |
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"110V" is Jaco's label for the supply version, not an official Tsurumi model code.
What's in the box
- FAMILY-12A pump with 3 m cable × 1
- 25 mm hose coupling
- 15 mm hose coupling (standard accessory)
Optional accessories
- Hose: use soft hose that matches the 15 mm or 25 mm hose coupling.
- Seawater-resistant coating: listed as an option in Tsurumi's catalogue and not fitted to the standard model; ask before ordering if you need it.
- Note: the residue adapter is for the standard FAMILY-12 only and does not fit the FAMILY-12A.
Safety and installation
- Connect only to the voltage and frequency shown on the nameplate, using an earthed supply with residual current protection (RCD/ELCB). Hong Kong mains is 220V/50Hz; if the nameplate says 110V, supply it through a suitably rated transformer.
- Keep the area around the float clear so it can move freely between the start level (about 164 mm) and the stop level (about 54 mm).
- The built-in MTP cuts power on overheating or dry running and resets once the motor cools. Do not use it as a routine way to stop the pump. Because the pump can restart on its own, always isolate the power before inspection.
- Never lift or drag the pump by its cable (the FAMILY series has no cable clip), and never let the cable end or plug sit in water.
- Disconnect the power before handling or cleaning the pump or changing the hose coupling.
- Do not pump flammable, explosive, corrosive or hot liquids. The standard model is not seawater-resistant.
- Obtain the delivery specification sheet from your supplier before use. Tsurumi notes that website information may differ from the actual product specifications.
Wear parts and routine checks
- Main wear parts: impeller and mechanical seal.
- Regularly clear debris from the suction inlet and around the float, and test that the float switch starts and stops the pump correctly.
- Check the oil-chamber lubricant (liquid paraffin ISO VG15, 30 ml) regularly. If the oil is cloudy or contains water, have the mechanical seal inspected promptly.
- Inspect the cable sheath regularly; if it is damaged, stop using the pump and have it repaired.
