Well pump or water pump protection switch & control FAQs:

Questions & answers about switches & controls useful to protect a water pump from damage if the well runs out of water or if the pump is not turning off for any reason. FAQs about how to protect the well pump from damage due to pump short on-off cycling or protect the well pump and its circuit from electrical overloads or lightning damage?

This article series describes all of the devices to protect water pumps from damage from continuous running, short cycling, overloading, no well water, low yield wells, power surges, or lightning strikes.

Water Pump Protection Switch Questions & Answers, FAQs

Questions & answers about water pump or pressure pump protection devices, posted originally at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH - topic home.

On 2019-06-15 20:48:28.790319 by (mod) -

Yl

One thing that always is encouraging is to think about the fact that there's probably no problem that you are I will think of it someone has not encountered before and for which there's not already an over-the-counter solution. There are number of devices that can attach to a well pump that will do what you want. Just stop by your local plumbing supplier and ask what they have.

There are also types of pumps such as pressure-sensitive water pumps that work without a pressure tank and that include a feature that will shut the pump off after it runs continuously for too long. If you search this website for water pressure booster pumps you'll read about those models.

On 2019-06-14 23:16:44.820735 by yl

I am looking for a device that can sense when my shallow well pump comes on and then starts a timer that will shut the pump off after so many minutes so that my well won't run dry. Recently my toilet didn't shut off after we left for work and when I came back home the pump was still running but I had no water. When I looked in the well, the water level was down to the foot valve. Luckily the pump wasn't hot so I think it had just ran out of water and I caught it in time. Is there such a device and where can I get one?

On 2019-03-08 18:42:45.855361 by (mod) -

Onyekaba

Why would a pump switch burst into flame?

I don't have a full understanding of what happened in the case you describe, and also it would be helpful if you could attach some photos (use the add image button to add one image per each comment) to let me look at the equipment and the control.

But in general I suspect that if a pump control switch bursts into flame, what is burning must be the plastic cover of the switch, possibly ingnited by a combination of high voltage and a short circuit in the switch itself or in wiring near the switch, OR alternatively, a combination of other improper conditions such as

- a pump drawing abnormally high current, possibly because of a failing motor or low voltage to the pump

- an ineffective or improper over-current protection on the circuit involved, such as a fuse or circuit breaker that is not properly sized to match the wiring and circuit

I also speculate that when the switch shorted and burned those same conditions of overcurrent either caused damage to the pump OR the pump itself was already damaged and was drawing abnormally high current (measured in amps).

On 2019-03-07 12:09:27.625647 by onyekaba ogechukwu

please what could make the switch of a water pumping machine connected to an automatic voltage switchers to burst in flames. without affecting the AVS but damaging the pumping machine.

On 2019-02-04 15:22:38.146356 by (mod) -

Tina

When you are sure that the pump is absolutely not frozen you would turn power on to the unit. It should run. If the pump runs but doesn't pump water it's possible that the piping remains frozen or if someone tried to run the pump while it was frozen it may be damaged, needing a re-build or replacement.

On 2019-02-03 21:59:33.338690 by Tina

Can you tell me how to get the pump to work after it was frozen

On 2019-01-06 20:54:00.748530 by (mod) -

Yep, Snuffy, your friend, as I've done from time to time, busted it by demonstrating the presence of a problem.

When the pump protection switch is doing its job it's preventing the pump from

- running dry

- overheating

Once a pump has been shut down for either of those risks, it needs time for

- the motor to cool down

- water to return to the well

If we run the pump too soon we are asking for trouble.

On 2019-01-04 03:05:55.708141 by Snuffy

Had a friend come to my house to check my well. Pressure switch kept shutting off pump. My friend kept forcing up the pressure switch lever and then water started up for a couple of days. Finally it blew the cut off box out. My question is by forcing that pressure switch to stay on did it burn my pump up?

On 2019-01-02 23:02:57.712968 by (mod) -

Michael

Details of the pump protection switch reset procedure vary by type, brand, and model of switch. Some must be manually re-set, for example, from the article above on this page

On the Pumptrol M1 switch, the maintained manual cut-out lever on this switch has auto and off positions. Re-set is manual.

That means that unlike the M4 model above, on an M1 switch if you lift the lever to an OFF position, it will stay there until you move it to the ON or RUN position.

On 2019-01-02 21:03:16.451413 by Michael

After this device shots close the pump how do I get it to work again?

On 2018-12-08 09:41:12.232436 by (mod) -

It's possible that you have lost Prime in the pumping system. Go to the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of the article on this page and take a look at the Articles and instructions in that index about how to prime the pump

Let me know how that helps you.

On 2018-12-08 07:07:13.057284 by Gary

ok,
so I bought a small home built in 1977 with a submersable well pump (unknown brand and info other than Black, Red, & Yellow wires. Wiring is braided wire)

My Problem started after I turned off water pump, and released water pressure from home plumbing to replace a 10ft. section of leaking copper water line,( leaking copper water line is located after pressure bladder tank).
Which led to me replacing the entire pressure tank, along with all the adjacent plumbing. List of New plumbing; 20 Gallon bladder pressure Tank, copper tee, union joint nut, drain Spigot, Pressure Gauge, Square D-Pressure control switch, copper tube connecting Pressure switch to Tee, high pressure relief valve, Check valve before Tee, <--pointing to tee.) 3/4 on/off inline valve located after pressure pump, - in open position) 1 inch brass screw on connector,
ok, my pressure control switch is wired;

from breaker box into switch left to rught > 1-BLACK Wire (RAW Wire to green ground screw below) 4-WHITE Wire (( Wiring from submersible well, running into pressure control switch is wired to= 2-BLACK Wire (Ground-YELLOW Wire to green ground screw below) 3-RED Wire.

When I lift Pressure control switch to ON, I hear water flow into pressure tank, but pressure will never go above 0 on new pressure valve. i have tried both closed, and ive tried opening highest shower cold water line, & I will only get about 1/8 of a 5gal. bucket of water, and spitting water & air, then nothing. i even opened, every inside, and outside house faucets, spigots, with same result or just a pencil thickness stream of water stream.

i just cant get the well pump water pressure strong enough into the pressure tank to make the pressure gauge rise from 0. One Wiring item to please note, i only tonight read that it is possible that a submersible well pumps with Red/Black/Green wires require a control box, or panel??? my submerseble doesn't have a 4th green or raw ground wire.

( just bought the house and there was no control box of any sort) well is plumbed directly from submersable Well straight into pressure Tank, on to the house plumbing. we had water pressure before the leak, not great pressure at some spigots, but strong at others. How do I get the well water to flow enough to move the pressure gauge, and to kick on pressure control switch 40/60? what do you see wrong, or what do you suggest i do next?

thanks,
Gary

On 2018-12-07 19:40:51.595895 by (mod) -

Mike

Is it possible you've got a leaky foot valve or check valve? Water running back into the well would turn the pump back on.

Watch to see if pressure falls when the pump stops.

On 2018-12-07 10:41:40.033100 by Miike

Just installed new pressure switch and riser pipe.

I manually actuated the switch to get the pump started I have my cut on set at 30 it held once I got the 30 and pumped up to about 35 and shut off

but the switch remained closed it came back on for another five six seconds and then off again about three times this happened until the switch open back up so my question is what else controls that pump on and off other than the power from the switch

On 2018-12-07 10:34:21.154521 by Mike

It takes a few cycles for my pump to reach the cut out pressure. The pressure switch is made when the pump cycles.

On 2018-12-07 by (mod) - pump cuts on again after shutoff pressure is reached

Mike

Is it possible you've got a leaky foot valve or check valve? Water running back into the well would turn the pump back on.

Watch to see if pressure falls when the pump stops.

More diagnosis is at WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING - pump seems to run for "no reason"

On 2018-12-07 by Miike

Just installed new pressure switch and riser pipe.

I manually actuated the switch to get the pump started I have my cut on set at 30 it held once I got the 30 and pumped up to about 35 and shut off but the switch remained closed it came back on for another five six seconds and then off again

about three times this happened until the switch open back up so my question is what else controls that pump on and off other than the power from the switch

On 2018-12-07 10:34:21.154521 by Mike

It takes a few cycles for my pump to reach the cut out pressure. The pressure switch is made when the pump cycles.

On 2018-10-19 by (mod) -

Pon

Please explain a bit more so that I understand and can research an answer to your question.

On 2018-10-19 by Ponnappan

if important starter and controler for water level instruments

On 2018-07-26 by (mod) - photo showing a one-line jet pump - where's the pressure tank?

Phil

Chances are your tank needs cleaning and sanitizing and even inspection for un-wanted un-sanitary leaks-in as it's been in use so long that it's exact size and location are unknown.

There are some pressure-sensitive pump setups that don't use a separate pressure tank but your photo looks like a conventional one-line jet pump.

Find the pressure control switch that is used to turn this pump on and off - follow the electrical wiring. That's usually where you'll find the pressure tank.

On 2018-07-26 by Phil

Sounds perfect... except we only have a pipe coming out of the tank and do not have any real access to the tank itself.

If this is the only solution, we have to start taking up concrete, and digging down. We do not know where the tank actually is! We just have the pipe coming to the pump!

On 2018-07-25 by (mod) - float switches can activate a pump based on water level in a tank rather than water pressure

Typically people install a float switch that activates the pump when water has reached a desired level and turns it off when water falls below a cut-off level.

You'll see the same switch design in some sump pumps.

Shown is a single-level water-activated switch produced by Madison and retailing for under $20. U.S.

On 2018-07-25 by Phil

We have an inaccessible grey water tank with a manual pump to empty it. We would love to be able to automate the process so that when there is water present the pump will empty the tank. At the moment, the only solution I have come up with is a three part system:

1) put the pump on a timer

2) install an auto cut off valve so that the pump is turned off if there is no water flowing

3) install an float valve to stop the pump when the receiving tank is full.

Do you have any better or less complicated suggestions?

On 2018-04-14 by (mod) -

Follow the power. If the pressure control switch is turning on the pump and wiring to the pump is live then most-likely the pump is not working or your well is out of water.

On 2018-04-14 by Justin

Tested my pump and wiring to see if they were bad. Both checked out to be good. But, still no water is coming through. What could be the problem?

On 2018-03-21 by (mod) -

Lonnie

There are indeed wi-fi controllable electrical control switches that can be used for the purpose you describe. Your electrician can install a controller that you can switch on and off by your cellphone connected to the internet connected to the switch's wifi system as long as you have a wireless internet router set up at your mobile home park and as long as the receiver for the pump control is within range of your wifi network.

Here's a more-scholarly description of the method for android phones

Dandge, Jagruti A., Rashmi Shirwadkar, Priyanka Gite, Nikita Odhekar, and Chanchal Kakad. "ELECTRIC SWITCH ON/OFF SYSTEM USING ANDROID APP VIA WI-FI." (2016).
PDF at irjet.net/archives/V3/i3/IRJET-V3I3270.pdf
Abstract -

Mobile devices are the part of our day-to-day life from last few years. Consequently, providing facilities and security are becoming increasingly prominent features on mobile devices. In this paper, we have to developed a home automation system that interfaces with Android mobile devices.

The mobile device and system can communicate with each other from long-range via Wi-Fi. The mobile application can be loaded and interfaces with system from any compatible device.

Commands to ON/OFF electrical equipment like lights, fans, air conditioners etc at home or any organization can be sent easily and quickly from the mobile devices via a simple and comfortable GUI application, which is easy to use for the any normal users.

The system then acts and respond to these commands by taking actions per commands and gives the result to the user. The user can also see the result on Android mobile application from anywhere.

A commercially available product is the AiCan Plug but I"m not sure it handles sufficient ampacity (it can switch up to 10 Amps) for your application - that's something to review with your electrician.

On 2018-03-21 06:19:21.033841 by Lonnie

@Ruthanne Eastwood,
My electrician setup a low level warning light at 10ft and a pressure pump shutdown at 5ft.

So you could get a bulb replaced with an alarm or run both an alarm and warning light. My light is red and all my tenants can look out their window and see the warning low water light. Then if we don't get water back on right away Everyone knows to stop using water till I can troubleshoot the issue.

Works great. I wish I had wifi close to well house and I would have the warning send me an email when low water alarm was activated. I don't live on site I live about 5 miles from my mobile home park this water system supplies water too.

On 2018-03-19 22:16:28.270538 by (mod) -

Ruthanne

You make a perfectly-reasonable point about wanting to be protected from burning up a pump when the well runs out of water.

The pump protection switches discussed in the article above - WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH - all focus on simply turning off the pump to protect it. I think the manufacturer figures you'll notice. Some of these controls like the CLA-VAL include a light alarm.

The FCI FlexSwitch FLT93 pump protection flow switch from Fluid Components International (FCI) detects dry running conditions caused by irregular liquid flows or slurries and can provide an alarm feature. Contact FCI at
Fluid Components International, 1755 La Costa Meadows Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078 USA
Tel: 800-854-1993 Website: http://www.fluidcomponents.com/

DeltaM provides a pump protection switch that includes an alarm though I'm not sure either of these companies offer products suitable for residential water wells.
Contact
Delta M Corp., , 003 Larsen Drive, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 USA Website: https://www.deltamcorp.com/

On 2018-03-19 20:14:11.039635 by Ruthanne Eastwood

We have an 18 month old well pump, a 625 ft deep well, and two large holding tanks. On Saturday afternoon, we completely ran out of water.

We determined that the well pump must have failed on Wednesday or Thursday and without any alarm to let us know that, we kept using water until there just wasn't any left. Our well pump contractor doesn't know of any kind of alarm to notify us if this ever happens again.

Seems to me that I can close my garage door or lock my front door from hundreds of miles away (current technology), so why isn't there some kind of audible alarm (old technology) to notify a homeowner that the pump failed. Our sump pump has an audible failure alarm. Isn't there a similar thing for well pumps? Any assistance on this would be greatly appreciated.

On 2018-03-16 01:54:27.186702 by (mod) -

Anon:

take a look at the data tag on your 1hp water pump and you'll see the pump's current draw; typically it'll be a 15A or 20A circuit.

On 2018-03-15 03:02:34.037410 by (mod) -

RB

It seems unlikely that two pumps would have exactly the same problem internally unless of course that's connected to the reason that you have two pumps in the first place.

I would be inclined to take the pump to a motor test bench facility and have the motor tested by itself. Then I would look at the impeller assembly. Then I would look for a wiring error.

On 2018-03-14 22:15:16.628547 by River Bean

I have a J5S, 1/2 hp, wired for 230 volt. Changed circuit breaker, new wire, new pressure switch, flushed 1/4" tube, switched pumps (exactly same), checked pressure in bladder pressure tank. Both pumps come on for 1 second and internal motor breaker shuts it off. Both pumps worked fine last fall.

On 2018-03-14 03:25:18.937832 by Anonymous

What is the ampere needed for the circuit breaker for a 1hp water pump

On 2017-12-07 17:48:14.660684 by Izzy

What is the meaning of Ovl/dry run in Elcon machine

On 2017-10-19 11:51:08.045165 by Jitendra Aainkar

Which setting for Water Pump Dry Run, Anti-Cycling & Thermal Protection Controls & Switches

On 2017-09-18 20:02:44.153394 by laura

what are the merits and demerits of the water pump?

On 2017-05-12 23:54:57.765325 by (mod) -

Yes that is its purpose: the controller should detect that the pump is running dry - which could damage it - and then stop it.

On 2017-05-12 23:38:33.563931 by Ali

My question that I installed an electronic pump controller between the pump and the tank , in case of no water before the pump , is the controller will prevent the pump from running ?

On 2017-05-12 23:34:32.858795 by Ali

Is the electronic pump controller controls the water between the pump and the tank or also can control before the pump ?

Question: our pump control trips off and we have to re-set it using the lever on the control

7/27/2014 Ben Seguin said:

Hello,
My water system consist of a submersible pump with pressure tanks. The pump is about 15 years old but the tank and control are just over 1 year old. The systems works fine most of the time except when we happen to create a large water demand - shower, dish washing and flushing the toilet at at once.

IN that instance the control trip off and we loose all water pressure in the house. We then have to go to the control and reset the pump by using the small lever on the side of the control. Could use trouble shooting advice.
Thanks

This question and reply were originally posted at NO WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSTIC FAQs

The Cla-Val pump protection control shown at left is discussed at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

[Click to enlarge any image]

Reply:

From what you describe most likely the control is working properly, protecting the pump from damage by shutting the system down when your well is running out of water - when the demand exceeds the well flow rate. When you wait a time for well to recover the pump is then OK. Some pump pressure control switches require manual reset.

More explanation is in the article above.

Question: new well pump burned up after 15 months

25 Feb 2015 JD said:
My well pump was replaced 15 months ago and burned out last week. The installer thought the problem was due to iron in the water clogging the check valves. Besides the check valve that comes in the pump there is a gate type check valve and an additional spring check valve above the pump. There is also a 6 GPM reducer in addition to the 3 check valves. Does this seem excessive?

This question was originally posted in the CHECK VALVES, WATER SUPPLY, DRAINS, PUMPS

Reply:

JD

If your installer can show you a clogged check valve s/he'd be on reasonable ground, as if a pump can't push water into the pressure tank to satisfy the pressure control switch it'd keep running and risk burnout.

A check valve installed backwards or one that is stuck shut can also burn up a pump.

Flow reducers have a different purpose: to slow the flow rate out of the well in an effort to avoid burning up a pump in a well that has a slow recovery or flow rate into the well bore. The presence of that device on your system makes me suspect that the root problem is poor well flow rate; if the pump gets ahead of the flow rate into the well bore it can indeed burn up unless it's protected.

InspectApedia has more advice about well pump protection devices in the article above.

Question: using the manual over-ride on pump switch

(Sept 14, 2014) Anonymous said:
My tank will only fill if I do it manually. I need to push the reset button on the outlet to fill and to turn it off. What is going on?

Reply:

Anon: don't keep manually running the pump as you may be over-riding a pump protection circuit. The risk is ruining the pump motor. I'd ask for help from your pump and well plumber.

Question: automatic shut off switch that will turn off the well water pump if a pipe breaks

(Mar 25, 2015) Anonymous said:
I am looking for an automatic shut off switch that will turn off the well water pump if a pipe breaks in the house and no one is there to turn it off. We have a mountain house that we visit about once a month and sometimes forget to turn off the water pump. This would be a back up safety switch that would need to be manually turned back on once tripped.

Reply:

Check out the Pumpstop product described at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH but keep in mind that a pump doesn't know if it is being called on to deliver water continuously because people are running water in the building or if the demand for water is from a broken water pipe.

Question: pressure switch cycles the pump on and off at end of pump cycle

(June 30, 2015) Laurent said:
My pressure switch goes on and off a few times when the pump start and stop. Its new pressure switch. Is the problem is in my water thank. Thank's

Reply:

I'd check first for a water-logged pressure tank and second for a debris clogged pressure sensor tube transmitting pressure to the switch. A pressure cut off setting that is close to the pump's maximum capacity can also cause this symptom. So you could also see if the problem stops by dropping the cut-out pressure a few psi.

Question:

(Aug 21, 2015) Siva Eppe said:
I would like to know whether there is any device which makes the 1HP AC Motor on when drinking water comes into the pipe line and Motor off when water goes out of the pipeline.

Reply:

Sorry I don't understand the question. But in case it helps, see WATER PUMP VARIABLE FREQUENCY / VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE (VFDs)

Question: relief valve opened when they were gone & water filled the basement.

(Oct 26, 2015) Thor said:
My sisters pressure relief valve opened when they were gone & water filled the basement. I suspect the switch did not shut down & the pressure surpassed 70psi opening the valve. Any ideas on a safeguard to prevent this from happening again.

Reply:

1. your sister needs an on-site diagnosis of what caused the relief valve to open - before we know the cause we can't make a proper repair or cure

2. as a basement can flood for other reasons such as a burst pipe or roof runoff mis-handling, a basement water alarm system might help your sister

Question:

(Jan 14, 2016) peter said:
I just installed a new shallow well 1.5 hp water pump. When I run it, it runs for about 30 seconds, then the internal breaker shuts the pump off?? Any suggestions?

Reply:

Peter,

Check for

Low voltage
Bad capacitor
Seized motor
Seized impeller

Watch out for death from electrical hazatds. Hire an electrician if you are not qualified to do these tests.

Question: device which protect water pump like submersible or well type from burning / short circuting

(Feb 7, 2016) shubham said:
Is there any device which protect water pump like submersible or well type from burning/short circuting.

Reply:

Sure,

the circuit breaker or fuse for the pump circuit

a thermal overload switch in some pump motors

a separate pump protection switch that protects against overheating or damage if well water runs low or if pump is short cycling

see the devices described at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

Question: water pressure going into the tank varies by as much as 40-70 lbs when the pump shuts off

(Feb 24, 2016) JimB said:
We have a well with a submersible pump for a single family home. The water pressure going into the tank varies by as much as 40-70 lbs when the pump shuts off. Before this it had shut off at a steady 40 lbs. Why is it fluxuating so much now? Is it possible that the pressure control switch is going bad?

Reply:

If the pump is shutting off before the cutoff pressure the gauge or the pressure switch may be debris clogged.

Question: pump starts & stops on 20 second interval, driving me mad

(Apr 15, 2016) Soran said:
Hi. I have a submersible pump 100 m below ground. The water flow for arround 20 sec then it stop and start again with strong prsure. I have no problem with water inside the well. Any idea please it drives me mad

Reply:

Soran

That sounds like a control, switch, or wiring problem. Start by watching the pressure gauge and control switch as water flows and pressure drops, to see when the switch is or is not turning on the pump. The switch may be defective. Also check for a leak in well piping or building water piping. See WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING

Question: How do I protect my pump from power fluctuations in Tampa Florida

2016/05/29 Steve said:
How do i protect my pump from power fluctuations

Reply:

Steve:

Great question. As my Tampa FL home inspector genius Mark Cramer says, ".... well, .... it depends".

I would start by finding out the range of voltage fluctuations that occurs in your area - your power company can tell you. Compare that with what the pump manufacturer says their pump can tolerate.

We need also to understand if your area experiences power surges or spikes (sudden big rises in voltage) - (just install a surge protector on your pump circuit) or power drops - below nominal voltage. Those are opposite problems and have different effects. But both can damage the equipment.

Power surges can be protected against with a point-of-use surge protector for a specific device as well as (and separately from) a surge protector installed at your electrical service entrance. The latter protects everything in your electrical system. Beware that some surge protectors that protect against a surge caused by electrical storms (lightning strikes) may be burned-up following a strike and will then need replacement.

To protect from low voltage (power drops) you can install an electrical power load controller. These devices can respond to a power drop in a fraction of a second. (Example: a UPC Universal Power Cell from Load Controls Inc.) Here is an excerpt from the installation instructions of one of those UPCs

The Universal Power Cell is a Motor Load Sensor that monitors power (HP or KW).

It works on both fixed and variable frequency power and has two analog outputs. It also works on single phase, DC, and brushless DC.

The Universal Power Cell has Three Balanced Hall Effect Sensors, each with a flux concentrator. Each phase passes through a window. A voltage sample for each phase is also taken.

The Hall Effect Semiconductor does a vector multiplication of the current flow and voltage which also calculates the power factor. The output is proportional to power (HP or KW).

You can contact the manufacturer I just cited at
Load Controls Inc.
53 Technology Park Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566Toll-free: 888-600-3247
Phone: 508-347-2606
FAX: 508-347-2064
E-mail: Sales@LoadControls.com

If you have frequent voltage drops below what the pump motor safely tolerates and power **outage** you'd need a backup power supply or power conditioner system.

At inspectApedia.com we discuss this problem in our articles on ELECTRICAL GENERATORS.

Question: manual reset pressure switch, it frequently trip

(Aug 8, 2015) Damion said:
Ever since my pl umber installed a manual reset pressure switch, it frequently trips which requires reset. Which direction should the larger nut be adjusted?

Reply:

Damion, the article WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH explains how the pressure cut-out and cut-in settings are made on a typical pressure control switch.

But the manual reset is a different feature. That is installed to protect a pump from damage that occurs when the pump runs dry because the well water flow is not keeping up with the pump demand. Messing with the pressure control switch won't fix that. You need an expert to examine your well and piping checking for:

1. loss of pump prime

2. leaks in well piping

3. poor well flow rate

Question: pump stops if I run two faucets at once

(Aug 24, 2015) Anonymous said:
when my water pump is running and i open two taps at the same time my pump shuts off. Why does it do this?

Reply:

Possibly your pump has a pump protection switch that is shutting down the system. These switches are intended to protect a pump from damage caused by running "dry" if the water quantity drawn exceeds the well flow rate. It's possible that the switch, IF that is the problem, is a bit touchy.

When you open the second tap, does water flow stop completely at both taps or does it first diminish to a slow rate at one or both?

Is the pump really stopping or are you simply seeing much reduced water flow?

If the latter, I suspect clogged pipes.

On 2017-03-05 by (mod) re: Pump switch doesn't kick on at low water pressure

Ed
I would check first for a debris clogged pressure control switch.

On 2017-03-04 by Ed

Well pump squire S pump switch falls to kick on when water pressure is below 30 this doesn't happen all the time

On 2016-11-26 by (mod) re: can electrical motor overload cause a fire?

An electrical motor that is defective and causing an overload might be the underlying source of a fire IF in addition the overload protection circuit or device did not work as it should.

On 2016-11-26 by h.yaseen45845

Sir, can electrical motor cause fire to the power switch because of return power supply from the electrical motor 230V-240v single phase, and there is overload protection and ELCB;
1) pump size 1hp
2) isolator switch 32A.
3) 2.5mm wire.
supply given from distribution Board with all prediction MCB-ELCB.
pump supplied direct from D.B. with MCB 32A.

thanks.

On 2016-11-17 by Anonymous

What method sih time can be calculated for centrifugal pump?

On 2016-10-22 by (mod) re: signs of a failed pump pressure control switch

Sounds like a failed pump control switch, Justin.

On 2016-10-22 14:03:45.689385 by Justin gold

Comercial water pump, pumptrol pressure switch, and control box with auto and manual, it has always ran fine but all of a sudden nothing wants to work on auto, they work on manual, the pressure switch clicks on with auto but doesn't fire up the pump

On 2016-07-22 by (mod) re: water entry or leak detection product sources to shut off a well pump

Certainly there are water entry detectors; you'd need to run the pump through such a device. Some of these include controls that can take some action in event of a leak detection.

For example
Aqualeak Detection ltd.
at http://www.wayscale.com/water-leak-detection/products-overview

On 2016-07-21 by Doug

Does anyone make or sell a system that will shut a well pump down if water is detected in a basement (or any other room that is not supposed to be wet)?

On 2016-06-12 by (mod) re: finding a tankless water pressure booster pump

Search InspectAPedia for PRESSURE SENSITIVE WATER PUMP to see a type of pump and control that may do what you want.

On 2016-06-12 by Harish

I need a water pump to quickly extract water from low pressure mucipal supply lines to start automaticallywhenmucipal water is released and to get shutoff when water release is stopped preferably with self priming function

On 2016-05-30 by (mod) re: where to get controls or devices to protect pumps from electrical power surges

Steve:

Great question. As my Tampa FL home inspector genius Mark Cramer says, ".... well, .... it depends".

I would start by finding out the range of voltage fluctuations that occurs in your area - your power company can tell you. Compare that with what the pump manufacturer says their pump can tolerate.

We need also to understand if your area experiences power surges or spikes (sudden big rises in voltage) - (just install a surge protector on your pump circuit) or power drops - below nominal voltage. Those are opposite problems and have different effects. But both can damage the equipment.

Power surges can be protected against with a point-of-use surge protector for a specific device as well as (and separately from) a surge protector installed at your electrical service entrance. The latter protects everything in your electrical system. Beware that some surge protectors that protect against a surge caused by electrical storms (lightning strikes) may be burned-up following a strike and will then need replacement.

To protect from low voltage (power drops) you can install an electrical power load controller. These devices can respond to a power drop in a fraction of a second. (Example: a UPC Universal Power Cell from Load Controls Inc.) Here is an excerpt from the installation instructions of one of those UPCs

The Universal Power Cell is a Motor Load Sensor that monitors power (HP or KW).

It works on both fixed and variable frequency power and has two analog outputs.

It also works on single phase, DC, and brushless DC. The Universal Power Cell has Three Balanced Hall Effect Sensors, each with a flux concentrator. Each phase passes through a window. A voltage sample for each phase is also taken. The Hall Effect Semiconductor does a vector multiplication of the current flow and voltage which also calculates the power factor. The output is proportional to power (HP or KW).

If you have frequent voltage drops below what the pump motor safely tolerates and power **outage** you'd need a backup power supply or power conditioner system.

At inspectApedia.com we discuss this problem in our articles

on BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATORS

Source:

Load Controls Inc.
53 Technology Park Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566Toll-free: 888-600-3247
Phone: 508-347-2606
FAX: 508-347-2064
E-mail: Sales@LoadControls.com

On 2016-05-28 by Steve

How do i protect my pump from power fluctuations

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Continue reading  at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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