Comparisons

Technical comparisonsof Industrial Pumps

Direct comparisons between FB series and frequent decisions (FBE vs FBEI, FBCN vs FBOT, domestic vs imported) plus a quick selection guide by fluid — to speed up the right choice.

Choose the comparison that answers your question

Each comparison delivers a direct answer (TL;DR), a side-by-side table, when to use each option and FAQs based on the technical manuals.

Series vs series

FBE vs FBEI — external or internal gear?

Two positive-displacement families from FB Bombas. The choice depends on viscosity, tolerable pulsation and installation geometry.

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Series vs series

FBCN vs FBOT — standardized centrifugal or thermal oil?

Both share the centrifugal principle and back-pull-out construction. The decision point is temperature: up to 260°C FBCN handles it; above 260°C — up to 350°C — FBOT is the path.

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Sourcing decision

Brazilian vs Imported Pump: TCO and Lead Time

When the math moves from purchase price to TCO — spare parts, lead time, FX risk and technical support — the balance shifts. These are the variables an industrial buyer should weigh.

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Decision guide

Which FB pump to use — decision by fluid and condition

Four families, four decisions. Start with fluid, cross through temperature and end on flow. Each answer links directly to the matching series.

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Decision guide

Electric or diesel fire pump?

The driver choice is not a preference — it follows from the occupancy risk classification, the power supply reliability and the applicable Technical Instruction.

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See the comparison table of all FB series

The 4 axes that decide which pump to compare

Before opening any comparison, four variables eliminate most wrong options. These are the same criteria FB Bombas engineering applies when sizing each project.

Fluid and viscosity

Water and thin fluids call for centrifugal (FBCN); oils, asphalt and viscous media call for gear pumps (FBE external, FBEI internal with low pulsation).

Operating temperature

Above ~250 °C in heating circuits, the dedicated thermal oil series (FBOT) replaces the conventional centrifugal.

Flow × pressure

Centrifugals deliver high flow at moderate pressure; positive displacement keeps flow constant even under variable pressure.

Standards requirement

Fire fighting demands a set compliant with NFPA 20 / NBR 16704 — its own category, not an adapted centrifugal.

If in doubt about the full taxonomy, start with the guide on types of industrial pumps; to validate the duty point before deciding, use the engineering calculators — NPSH, power, head loss and viscosity.