Float plates may be installed in casing strings, where the weight of the casing and screen exceed the safe lifting capacity of the installing rig. The plate, which must be manufactured from a frangible or breakable material, is installed between two joints of pump housing casing at a predetermined depth, where the collapsing strength of the casing is not exceeded and the rig is not overloaded. The weight of the casing is reduced by the weight of the fluid displaced. Cast iron plates of the design shown below, machined to provide a watertight fit between the casing joints, have been found satisfactory.

The use of welding collars simplifies the installation of float plates considerably. To insure that hydrostatic forces on the empty casing above the float plate do not exceed its collapsing strength, the casing may be partially filled with water during installation as the buoyancy increases. Once the casing and screen is installed, the upper pump housing casing is completely filled with water and the plate removed by striking it with a bailer, drill pipe or tubing. Float plates must be used with great caution, and under no circumstances are as safe a procedure as direct installation with equipment of adequate weight bearing capacity.

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