500L Cat 5 Booster Pump Set
Compact 500L Cat 5 booster pump set with Type AB air gap, ideal for medium-sized garden irrigation systems where space or access is restricted. On back order – expecting back in stock w/c 14th September 2026
From: £2,210.00 (excl VAT)
From: £2,652.00 (inc VAT)
Available on back-order
Code: EPTS0500
Free Economy delivery on orders over £150 + vat
Product details
The 500L Cat 5 booster pump set provides a compact solution for garden irrigation systems where a larger break tank would be difficult to accommodate. Its relatively small footprint makes it particularly suitable for urban gardens, smaller properties and installations where the tank needs to be discreetly positioned.
The compact size also makes the unit easier to move into gardens with restricted access, such as through narrow side passageways or gateways. Once installed, the tank can often be screened from view behind shrubs, fencing or a small purpose-built screen, helping it blend unobtrusively into the garden.
Despite its compact size, the 500 litre break tank provides a useful stored water reserve while the integral booster pump delivers the flow and pressure required by the irrigation system. The Type AB air gap provides the backflow protection required for Fluid Category 5 applications, making the unit well suited to medium-sized domestic irrigation systems, including pop-up lawn sprinklers. For more information on the Water Regulations and why a break tank may be required, see our guide to Fluid Category 5 break tanks.
At a glance
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- 500 litre break tank with integral booster pump
- Compact design – ideal where space is limited
- Easier to move through narrow side access and gateways
- Can be discreetly screened behind shrubs, fencing or a small enclosure
- Suitable for medium-sized domestic garden irrigation systems
- Ideal for supplying pop-up lawn sprinklers and other irrigation systems
- Type AB air gap provides Fluid Category 5 backflow protection
- Integral automatic pump boosts both flow and pressure
- Pre-assembled package for straightforward installation
- Automatic dry-running protection helps protect the pump if the tank runs low
How the pump and break tank works
The submersible pump is designed to automatically operate when it detects a drop in pressure. To protect the pump, in the event of the tank running out of water, the pump will stop running, periodically checking to see if the tank has refilled. The pump is quiet running as the noise from the pump is reduced by the surrounding water in the tank.
Installation and siting
Installation of the 500L Cat 5 booster pump set is straightforward. The tank requires a firm, level site and needs power and water. The unit is designed to be delivered on a pallet direct to the customer. Category 5 backflow is achieved using an approved Type AB air gap. As part of the specification for type AB air gaps, any overflow water must flow freely through the weirs in the tank. This must be taken into consideration when siting the unit.
Technical Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Tank capacity | 500 litres (usable capacity is reduced by the Type AB air gap) |
| Dimensions | 610mm x 1060mm x 1330mm high |
| Mains water inlet | 3/4″ BSPM |
| Irrigation outlet | 1″ BSPF |
| Maximum inlet flow | 1,400 l/h (dependent on the available incoming water flow and pressure) |
| Backflow protection | Type AB air gap for Fluid Category 5 applications |
| Pump operation | Automatic – pump starts when a drop in pressure is detected |
| Dry-running protection | Pump stops automatically if the tank runs out of water and periodically checks for refilling |
| Pump output at 2 bar | 4,200 l/h |
| Pump output at 3 bar | 3,000 l/h |
| Pump output at 4 bar | 1,400 l/h |
| Installation requirements | Firm, level base with mains water and electrical power supply |
| Overflow requirements | Overflow water must be able to discharge freely through the tank weirs |
For larger irrigation systems we manufacture a 1,250 litre storage tank and booster set.
Please note: Bulky items with tanks attract an additional carriage charge outside central England and into central London.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 500L Cat 5 booster pump set suitable for my irrigation system?
The 500L booster set is well suited to medium-sized domestic garden irrigation systems, including systems using pop-up lawn sprinklers. It provides a useful balance between stored water capacity and compact size, making it a good choice where a larger break tank would be difficult to accommodate.
What is the main advantage of the 500L booster set?
The main advantage is its compact size. Compared with larger break tanks, the 500L unit is easier to position discreetly in a garden and can often be screened behind shrubs, fencing or a small enclosure. It is also easier to move through restricted access, such as narrow side passageways commonly found in urban gardens.
Why do I need a break tank for an irrigation system?
A break tank provides physical separation between the mains water supply and the irrigation system. Where Fluid Category 5 backflow protection is required, a suitable Type AB air gap prevents potentially contaminated irrigation water from flowing back into the mains drinking water supply.
The pump also gives a consistent pressure and flow that is higher than a standard mains water supply, ensuring pop-up sprinklers operate correctly.
Does this booster set provide Fluid Category 5 protection?
Yes. The 500L booster set incorporates a Type AB air gap, providing the backflow protection required for Fluid Category 5 applications when installed correctly.
Can the booster set improve low mains water pressure?
Yes. The tank stores water from the mains supply and the integral pump then supplies the irrigation system at a higher flow and pressure. This can be particularly useful where the incoming mains supply cannot provide enough flow or pressure to operate the irrigation system directly.
Does the pump operate automatically?
Yes. The integral pump operates automatically. When the irrigation system opens and the pressure falls, the pump starts and supplies water from the tank. It switches off again when the irrigation system closes and pressure is restored.
What happens if the tank runs out of water?
The pump incorporates dry-running protection. If the stored water is exhausted, the pump will stop automatically to help prevent damage. It will then periodically check whether the water supply has been restored.
How much water can the pump supply?
Pump performance depends on the pressure required by the irrigation system. The current specification is approximately 4,200 litres per hour at 2 bar, 3,000 litres per hour at 3 bar and 1,400 litres per hour at 4 bar.
Is the full 500 litres available for irrigation?
No. The nominal tank size is 500 litres, but the usable volume is lower because the Type AB air gap and overflow arrangement prevent the tank from being filled completely to the top.
Where should the 500L booster set be installed?
The booster set should be installed on a firm, level base with suitable access to the mains water supply and electrical power. The overflow must also be able to discharge freely. Its compact dimensions make it particularly suitable for locations where space or access is restricted.
Can the tank be hidden from view?
Yes. Its relatively compact size makes the 500L tank easier to disguise than larger break tanks. It can often be positioned behind existing shrubs or screened with fencing, trellis or a small purpose-built enclosure, provided adequate access and ventilation are maintained.
What is the difference between the 200L, 500L and 1,250L booster sets?
The main difference is the amount of stored water available. The 200L model is suited to smaller irrigation systems, while the 500L version provides greater storage for medium-sized gardens while remaining relatively compact. The 1,250L model is intended for larger gardens and irrigation systems where greater stored capacity is required.
