The main relief valve is located on ______ side of the pump.

The main relief valve is located on ______ side of the pump.

• A. Suction
• B. Discharge
• C. Inlet
• D. Outlet

Answer: (B)

The main relief valve is placed on the discharge side because its job is to limit the pressure the pump puts into the system. When the discharge pressure reaches the valve’s set point, it opens and routes excess flow back to the reservoir (or to a bypass), protecting hoses, fittings, and actuators from overpressure. The suction side is a low-pressure area where the pump draws fluid in; a relief valve there would mainly address vacuum or cavitation issues, not overpressure in the system. By locating the relief valve on the discharge side, the pump’s output is controlled at the source of pressure, keeping the entire system safe.

The main relief valve is placed on the discharge side because its job is to limit the pressure the pump puts into the system. When the discharge pressure reaches the valve’s set point, it opens and routes excess flow back to the reservoir (or to a bypass), protecting hoses, fittings, and actuators from overpressure. The suction side is a low-pressure area where the pump draws fluid in; a relief valve there would mainly address vacuum or cavitation issues, not overpressure in the system. By locating the relief valve on the discharge side, the pump’s output is controlled at the source of pressure, keeping the entire system safe.