What is a main disadvantage of a centrifugal pump?

One of the main disadvantages of a centrifugal pump is that it does not have self-priming ability. This means that the pump cannot draw liquid from a source that is below the level of the pump itself. Instead, it requires that the liquid be pre-pumped or primed into the suction line before the centrifugal pump can operate properly.

To overcome this limitation, special measures such as installing a priming pump or a suction tank may be necessary. However, this can add complexity and cost to the overall system.

Additionally, centrifugal pumps are also sensitive to changes in operating conditions such as flow rate and head. If these conditions vary significantly from the design point, the pump's performance may suffer, resulting in reduced efficiency or even failure.