In pump performance testing, what does discharge head represent?

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Discharge head is all about the resistance the pump has to overcome in the discharge path. In pump terms, head is the energy per unit weight of fluid expressed as an equivalent height of liquid. So discharge head represents the pressure the pump must push the liquid against at the discharge point in order to deliver flow. This pressure comes from the elevation if the discharge line ends at a higher point and from friction losses in the discharge piping, all converted to an equivalent head. It’s not about temperature rise, viscosity, or how fast the shaft is turning—those factors affect other aspects of performance, while discharge head specifically measures the pressure the pump must overcome to move the liquid.