A video demonstration of the basics of a relief valve. This includes the importance of relief valves, how they function inside of a pump, and why a pump needs a relief valve at all.

A relief valve is an important part of any pump, mainly to prevent any damage to the pump. Over-pressurization may cause lines to burst, endangering not only the pump, but also anyone near it. The valve works by diverting pressurized fluid out a bypass port. The fluid goes through a relief header to a variety of places, such as a tank. Fluid may also simply be expelled from the machine.