More Q&A on exactly how to adjust the pump pressure control switch - which way to turn the adjustment nut.

This article series describes how to adjust building water pressure by setting the water pump cut-in and cut-out pressure on the well water pump pressure control switch. We explain which adjustment nuts to turn and in which direction to change pump cut-in pressure or cut-our pressure settings.

Pressure Control Switch Adjustment Nut FAQs

These questions and answers abouit how to adjust the control nuts in a water pressure control switch were posted originally

at WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS - topic home.

Also see our index to all water pump control switch FAQs at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIR FAQs

Article Index

• [We're in process of editing and sorting the Q&A below - Ed.]

Do I use a pressure gauge to set the pump cut-in and cut-out?

Do you use the pressure gauge to set the psi by what it shows when the switch kicks on and off?

It says to set at 28 psi. there are no numbers on the switch, how do you know what you are setting it at?

Having a problem, just replaced my water pressure tank. Have a submersible pump. Problem is that when running the water the pressure switch is short cycling. it will go off and on about 4 times real fast then stop about 20 seconds then do that again. How do i adjust it ?HELP! On 2018-10-16b y Teresa Jarrell

by (mod) -

Teresa

You can use an independent pressure gauge Teresa or you can see what the pressure is on the gauge that's attached to your water system.I would look first for a closed valve on the outlet from the water system and second for problem with water not entering the tank.

Sometimes then a pressure tank the bladder can get stuck to the tank bottom and refuse to accept water. Both of those conditions can cause rapid short cycling.

On 2018-07-16 by Peggy

I have a ge 1/2 hp pump and a 30/50 switch with a 20 gallon tank. What should my cut in and out pressures be. Thank you. Have a great day

Suggestions by (mod) -

Set the cut-in to 28 psi - that's 2 psi below the CUT-IN which on your switch is 30 psi.

Old Type FSG9C pressure switch - pump turns off at a too-high pressure

I have a SquareD 2 adjustment pressure switch, very old approx 42 years in service. Type FSG9C. The pump is not turning off until 70 psi.

The range is 32-70 between on and off.

The upper cutoff adjustment (small spring/screw) was adjusted to be completely loose so that there is no spring pressure applied yet the upper cut off limit did not lower from 70 psi.
Adjusting only the large screw CCW moved the range from 38-75 down to 32-70.

I want the upper limit lowered to about 60psi but this cannot be done. Is the pressure switch at fault?On 2018-06-20 3 by allan

Suggestions by (mod) -

Possibly but I suspect the switch is not properly adjusted.

In the article above see

Pump Pressure Switch Pumptrol™ Nut Adjustment Sequence

 

On 2018-05-07 by Shaun

Here's my set up:
I have a 1 HP Red Lion jet pump with a 30/50 pressure switch. The Pressure tank is properly set 2 psi below the cut in (set at 28 psi). I have confirmed that it holds air at 28 psi. I only use it to irrigate the lawn. The pump and pressure switch is about a month old (purchased brand new) and the pressure tank is 2 years old.

Here's my problem/question:
When I run one of the zones, the pressure will kick on at 28-30, but then starts to drop.

The pressure will fluctuate around 20-25 psi, and runs constantly at that pressure until the time is completed (usually 10-15 mins per zone). Every once in awhile it will decrease quickly to 20 psi then fluctuate back up to 25psi.

All my zones do this. I'm not sure why the pressure drops to 25 psi in the first place. Is it supposed to drop below the cut-in pressure at 30 psi?

When the pump zone is done and the pumps turns off, it properly cuts off at 50 psi, but as soon as it turns off at 50 psi and the pump is off, I notice the pressure will decrease to 45 psi and stop. Can anyone help diagnose my problem or help me come up with a solution?

There do not appear to be any leaks. The check valve is close to the pump and is a few weeks old. So not sure what else to check. Should I get a new pressure switch or increase the cut in pressure on the current one? Will that increase my pressure? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

by (mod) -

Shaun

What you describe - running along at a lower pressure - is common when the usage rate exceeds the well and pump output capacity.

When that pressure suddenly falls dramatically I would look for either a debris clogged or sticking pressure control switch OR some water outlet usage that's opening up sporadically, such as an intermittent jam-then-open condition at one f your sprinkler heads.

On 2018-04-23 by PHILIP Davey

Hi,
Pressure Ok and will run for about 30-40 seconds then will reduce and water flow stop for about a second then cut in and all is well for about another 30-40 seconds ? Any advice appreciated.

Suggestions by (mod) -

That is most-often a problem with debris clogging, Philip. I would replace the pressure control switch and clean any remaining debris out of the switch mount/pressure tube.

Why does the pump control switch bounce and cyle at cutoff pressure?

Why does the pressure switch "bounce/pulsate" when it reaches full pressure? On 2018-04-12 by Val

by (mod) - Causes of pressure control switch contact bounce and pump rapid on-off cycling at the end of a water pump ON cycle

Causes of pressure control switch contact bounce and pump rapid on-off cycling at the end of a water pump ON cycle

Often I find this condition for one of several reasons:

- there is a near-blockage at the pump outlet, such as a clogged water filte

- the CUT OUT pressure is set near the very limit of the pump's capacity

- there is debris clogging of the pressure sensor line or port at the pressure control switch

- the pressure control switch contacts are burned and arcing or the switch itself is defective

- another cause that I've not remembered

Pressure control settings when using two water pumps on the same system

I want to set our pressure switch settings for water

1.Pump should be start on 4 kg/cm2 and stopped on 6 kg/cm2.

2. Pump should start only 3 kg/cm2 and off manually - On 2018-02-08 by Abhimanyu Mishra

Suggestions by (mod) -

Mishra

Although our pressure examples are in PSI, the principles and adjustments of a pressure switch are the same regardless of the units in which pressure is being reported.

4 kg/cm2 is about 57 psi and 6 kg/cm2 is about 85 psi (for other readers).

If your pump control switch works like the one shown in the article above you simply need to watch the pressure reading on your system's pressure gauge.

Run water, watch the pressure fall, note the pressure at which the pump starts. Adjust the switch to raise or lower the starting pressure accordingly. That's the "CUT IN" pressure.

You cannot however use the same control on the same single water system to operate at two different pressure ranges.

So I don't understand how your second pump control example would work unless you mean it's for a different system.

In any event you should NOT set up a switch that will never turn the pump OFF since under some conditions the pump pressure could blow out a pressure tank or pipe that could in turn injure or even kill someone nearby.

Pump cycles on and off extremely rapidly after I installed a new switch

After replacing well pump I turned on pump and pressure gauge went crazy turning on an of rapidly On 2018-01-14 by Tyrone

Suggestions by (mod) -

Tyrone

When I've seen that symptom it was often because a shut-off valve between pump and pressure tank was closed, or a water filter on the pump outlet was clogged, or the pressure tank bladder is stuck and no water flows into the tank.

On 2018-01-11 by Eddie - Thanks for this article. Very useful.

The second nut on my pressure switch is not even touching the spring is this right?

The second nut on my pressure switch is not even touching the spring is this right? On 2017-12-03 by Anonymous

by (mod) - NO

No; if the notice totally loose then it's not doing anything and your switch is not correctly adjusted

My pump runs continuously without reaching the shutoff pressure: what can I do?

I recently adjusted my air pressure and my cut in and cut pressures.

The tank air pressure is 26 psi, the cut in pressure is 30 psi and the cut out pressure is 55 psi.

The pressure switch is a 30-50 psi switch. When I am running my sprinkler system the water pressure does not get above 50 psi and the pump runs continuously. What should I do to get the pump to cycle properly? On 2017-07-06 by Jim

I recently adjusted my air pressure and my cut in and cut pressures.

The tank air pressure is 26 psi, the cut in pressure is 30 psi and the cut out pressure is 55 psi.

The pressure switch is a 30-50 psi switch. When I am running my sprinkler system the water pressure does not get above 50 psi and the pump runs continuously. What should I do to get the pump to cycle properly? On 2017-07-06 by Jim

Suggestions by (mod) -

Jim,

My guess is that there isn't something further that you can do, because the rate at which you are drawing water exceeds the flow rate of your well or the pumping rate of your pump.

When that happens the pump will simply run continuously. You could reduce the flow demand of your sprinkler system by partly closing its supply valve but that may not work for you as it also means that sprinkler distance will be reduced

...

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

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