Water Pump Control Switch Debris Clogging

Q&A on debris or sediment causing a pump to fail to turn on or off when it should

Dangerously High Water Pressure due to Switch Malfuncction

Our water pump ran pressure up to over 100 psi !

For the past six months or so my water well pressure gauge has not worked. I replaced it yesterday and the cut-out occurred at over 100lbs - should be around 50 or so.

My first thought was the problem is with the new gauge, but i cycled the pump on again and noticed that the pump ran longer than normal before cutting-off at over 100lbs.

The gauge numbers stop at 100 and based on the alignment of the numbers, the cut-out is around 150lbs. - WOW. Is that even possible. I have a three horse pump and the pipes coming from the manifold are galvanized.

The pressure switch is original (2001) and have cleaned the contacts on several past occasions. On 2018-06-11 by Jim

by (mod) - a clogged water pressure switch can be dangerous: overpuressure, bcurst water tank!

Jim

Watch out: turn the pump off immediately and Rain pressure from the system. So it's high pressures are dangerous. A pipe or water pressure tank can burst causing not only a flood but an injury to someone who is nearby.

Probably the same problem that cause your pressure gauge not to work Has filed the pressure control switch. Often debris or silt in the water supply clogs the sensor port on the pressure gauge and similarly clogs the pressure sensor opening on the bottom of the pressure control switch. You need to replace the switch and make sure that any tubing or small diameter pipe that conducts water pressure to the switch is not blocked.

We have no water pressure and crud is in our pressure switch: why?

I have no water at all . 0 pressure at tank and pump doesn’t come on at all even with new pressure control switch. The well is around 13 years of age. Why is it collecting this and do you think my pump is ruined? How can I prevent this in the future?

On 2021-05-04 by Douglas Grooms

And from another reader:

Our water pressure switch doesn't seem to kick in when it should causing low water pressure. How can I fix that? On 2018-06-04 by Dave Johnson

Answer by danjoefriedman (mod) Notice all that reddish brown gunk: looks like rust or mud debris that is clogging your water pressure control switch sensor port

@Douglas Grooms and Dave Johnson:

A common cause of the problem you described is a pressure switch that is debris clogged and not sensing a change in water pressure. The Simple Solution is to replace the switch.

On this page in my answer below you'll see that rust, mud, or other debris clogging the pressure sensor port on your pressure switch or the tube that conducts water pressure to the switch can cause the pump to not turn on or off as water pressure drops or increases.

Pump Won't Stop: clogged pressure switch sensor / tube

Pressure switch won't turn off the pump unless I tap or smack the switch box

Just replaced a 30/50 switch because the 1 hp jet pump could not get above 37 and would not turn off. The pump, tank and pipe with foot valve are 1 year old. No problems until a few days ago, would not shut off. I was manually turning the pump on and off at the breaker. I am a senior lady living alone.

When I smacked the switch it would turn off however. Then the next day, it made it to 50 and turned off by itself. Yay! Fixed? No, a few hours later stuck at 37. My ex installed a new switch yesterday.

Adjusted the tank by a couple pounds (to 28) and it came on at 30 and off at 50. Only once though.

Now it is back to 30/37. No leaks, pressure stable unless using water. Ex wants to install a 20/40 switch. I don’t understand what this could be?

One day it pumps up to 50 and then only 37 with no stopping. This new switch doesn’t turn off when I try and flip the contacts either. I have to use the breaker to turn it off. Help! On 2020-11-02 by Kathy

Explanation by (mod) - debris clogging or bad relay

Kathy,

Usually when a pump will not turn off and cannot reach the cut-off pressure set on the pressure control switch the problem is not the switch but rather that the pump and water supply are not able to deliver that pressure. That's particularly true if you're cut off pressure is at a normal level of a say 40 or 50 psi.

Your comment "When I smacked the switch it would turn off however." suggests that the pressure control could be debris clogged. You should have that control replaced.

I am only able to speculate as I'm not on the scene possible that you are what are you straight exceeded the wills flow rate so the pump in fact simply couldn't get enough water to send into the pressure tank to reach the cut-off pressure. When you then leave the pump off for a time that gives your well a chance to recover and that in turn might allow the pump to operate normally.

So why don't you do an experiment letting the pump system rest for several hours or longer when it's misbehaving.

Then turn it back on to reach a cut off pressure I suspect the problem is in your well and the well flow rate and it would just be a waste of ex's time and energy to change switch.

See WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH INSTALL / REPLACE

Our Water is Nasty, and the Water Pump Won't Turn Off

We have old farm house. Pressure tank been getting rusting. Few days ago, water nasty, pump running continuously. Put in new pressure tank and all piping around it. Water pressure good. Cleanliness seems to have increased.

Problem: pressure switch not cutting off...will adjust setting.

When turn off switch manually, tank pressure decreases immediatley, which would kick pump back on. Seems to be back filling. Have shut off valve between tank and well, when turn it, tank holds pressure.

Something wrong with well? How would I check to see if foot or check valve is bad and what do I do? water nasty, pump running continuously. - On by Sam

Reply by (mod) List of Repair Procedures for Various Water or Well Pump Problems

I agree that debris or sediment in the water supply can cause a pump pressure control switch to fail to respond to water pressure: clogs in the sensing tube or in the tiny opening of the sensor diaphraghm on the bottom of the pressure controls switch can prevent the switch from "feeling" increases or decreases in water pressure.

So that could cause a pump fail to turn on or off when it should.

But the fact that y our water pressure drops immediately when you turn off the pump might indicate that there's aleak somewhere in the well piping or check valve or at a foot valve - a second problem.

I would start by changing the pump pressure switch and replacing the foot valve or other check valve if one is at your pump or elsewhere in the well piping. Here's a summary of well problems and cures that may help you sort this out.

1. Intermittent water pump operation:
   
   If a pump is running for no apparent reason and we're not running water in the building (or we think we're not running water there), then I call
   
   this WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING.
   
   The time between pump-on cycles will depend on how fast water is leaving the system and might be anywhere from "pump won't stop running at all" (though other problems can cause that too) to "pump runs once in the middle of the night".
2. Short Cycling water pumps: 
   
   Very short pump-on cycles followed by short pump-off cycles is caused by a water-logged pressure tank (lost air charge) combined with a rapid use of water in the building or by a significant water piping leak somewhere.
   
   See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING. These cycles are typically under 30 seconds.
3. Chattering water pumps:
   
    Extremely-short pump on/off cycling or pump chattering is usually caused by a blockage at the pump or water system output, like a clogged debris filter. This on-off cycling rate will typically be a second or less.
4. Continuous water pump operation:
   
   if the pump won't stop running the cause may be simply a high water usage rate that exceeds the pump or well's capacity to deliver water or there may be a leak or a bad control.
   
   See WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

Pump doesn't turn on when water pressure drops - is it a switch problem?

Pressure Tank is Empty and Pump Doesn't Turn On

I have a problem I lose water pressure to my house and I go and check the well and the pump is not running. I have a submerge pump and there is switch at well for pump and turn it on and off and then it comes on and I have pressure and water.

When my Blue Pressure tank is empty then I lose pressure and the pump does not come on.

So I turn it off and on and it comes on and stays on. Not sure if it always stayed on and did this or if this a new problem. Then when I get water pressure and water and the blue pressure tank is empty it starts all over again.

Is this a pressure switch problem? Also I get lots of air coming when I do have water pressure. I check the air pressure in my Blue Pressure tank and it is good.
Thank you in advance. On 2017-12-31 by Jim Norman

Suggestions by (mod) -

WHEN the pressure drops below the cut-in

AND the pump control switch doesn't turn on the pump,

AND IF there is electrical power to the pump

THEN the control's pressure sensor port may be debris-blocked.

First try cleaning the tube conducting water pressure to the pump. If that doesn't work then debris may have also clogged the pressure sensor port on the bottom of the pressure control switch. In that case, easiest is to simply replace the switch.

Why does the pressure control switch work again when I tap on it?

Why would the pressure switch work normal and then at times you have to tap on switch to make contact On 2017-12-14 by Rick

Suggestions by (mod) -

Great question, Rick.

There are two common explanations for a finicky pressure control switch that lies there like my sleeping dog Katie until tapped to wake up.

1. dirt or debris in the pressure switch water pressure sensing port is clogging the switch, or dirt / debris in the small pipe nipple or tube that conducts water (and pressure) to the bottom of the switch is clogged: either of those blockages can be prevent the pressure control from registering a water pressure drop that should turn on the pump

2. An internal electrical problem in the switch such as a loose wire or burned contact points.

Watch out: don't go poking the wires in the switch nor trying to tighten wiring connections with power on - you could be shocked and killed.

Water pressure seems to go away during a shower unless I run more water at another fixture

At times when I am in the shower, I need to get out flush the toilet to get the water back to the shower, or stand there for 1 min and wait...any suggestions (Mar 6, 2014) Roy

Reply:

Roy, this situation sounds odd but I can guess at a possible explanation: if your water pump pressure control switch is sticking - not responding properly to pressure drop, the pressure may have to fall still further below the cut-in level before the pump switches "on".

This often happens if there is silt or debris in the water - conditions that can clog the small diameter pipe on which the pressure switch mounts, or the small orifice at the switch bottom through which water exerts its pressure.

Try replacing the pressure switch and its mounting tube.

Clogged Water Filter Causes Pressure Control Failure?

Water pressure control stuck on zero: will a water filter fix that?

Saw where they kept thinking it was the switch gone bad only to find out it was from a clogged filter. Where is the filter?

We have an Artesian Well and GeoThermal heating and cooling. Right now cooling. The NEW switch we put in is getting stuck on zero again. On 2018-05-08 by Juju

by (mod) - a clogged filter or clogged sensor tube can foul the water pump pressure control switch

Thanks for the comment Juju.

Indeed I've run into clogged water filters too - a symptom of a clogged water filter right at the water pump / pressure tank is very rapid on-off cycling of the pump and pressure control switch.

Similarly, debris-clogged faucet strainers and shower heads can fool us. That's why those are among the first places to look when water flow is weak.

Keep in mind that many building water supply systems, probably most, have no filter installed whatsoever.

Only where silt, mud, or debris is common in the water supply will we usually find a sediment filter; other reasons for filters are water odors.

See details at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Filters.php

If your new pressure switch is sticking check that there is no clogging of the small diameter pipe or tube that conducts water pressure to the switch sensor port.

See also WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL where we discuss clogging of the pressure sensor tube that communicates pressure in the water pump and tank over to the pump pressure control switch.