Water Pump Control & Switch Location FAQs

Where can or should the water pressure control be located?

Is it OK to put the pump pressure control switch at the top of the water pressure tank?

My plumber installed a new bladerless tank for our well pump 2 mo’s ago. He put the pressure switch directly on the tank near the top.not on the water line feeding the tank. Is this okay? - On 2018-06-21 by Russ

Answer by (mod) - Yes

l think that's fine, Russ since both the air and water in the tank will always be at the same pressure.

However if you can tell me the model number of your Pentair tank we (or you) can check the water pressure tank's installation manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.

followup by Russ

Thanks dan, that’s what he told me but everyone else I talked to said it wasn’t right.this is not a tank with a bladder so I think that is what is confusing.

In the manual it suggests the switch be installed on the inlet line to the tank.this all started because we noticed the pump would run continuesly when taking a shower.

He noticed the switch was set to high (65).

He did the draw down test & all our pump will produce is 4 gpm.

Says our pump is getting weak. He installed it 8 years ago & claims that is about average.

8 to 10 years?? So that’s why I was wondering if something else caused the pump to wear out.

by (mod) - pump getting "weak" ?

Right,

But it makes no difference to the pressure control switch whether it's on a tank using an internal bladder or not. The switch simply responds to pressure sensed at its sensor port.

At WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPLACE we include instructions on switch replacement

And at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIRS

you'll find links to PDF files giving pressure control switch installation instructions from the switch manufacturers.

I'm going to review the manufacturer's instructions to see if they raise any question about pump switch mounting location. To date the main constraint I've found is that the switch needs to be mounted as close to the pressure tank as possible rather than remote from it.

The pressure control switch can last 30 years or longer, or fail in a few months. Early "failures" are usually due to

1. debris clogging the pressure switch sensor port opening - the switch fails to respond to changes in pressure

2. arc burning - due to excessive short cycling due usually to a waterlogged pressure tank

by Russ

Pentair AW42T bladderless tank. we have a 3/4 hp sta- rite pump. Should we go with a1 hp.

He suggested not because it could change levels in the well over time. Does that sound possible?

by (mod) - manual for Pentair AW42T bladderles tank.

The Pentair manual for this tank series shows several installations including one in which the switch is attached to a bracket on the pump and monitors tank pressure by a tube connected to the pressure tank. The manufacturer didn't anticipate a direct on-tank mount nor do they prohibit it.

See your manual at one of these lists:

• WATER PUMP SWITCH INSTALLATION MANUALS
• WATER PUMP & TANK I&O & REPAIR MANUALS

Can the pump control switch be mounted horizontally not vertically?

Is it ok to install the pump pressure switch in a horizontal orientation vs the normal vertical orientation? In other words, instead of mounting it straight above the tank tee, use an elbow and additional nipple si the connecting nipple is horizontal instead of vertical. On 2020-06-05 by Doug

by (mod)

Doug

Pressure control switches like the Square D unit shown on this page can be mounted horizontally or vertically.

See WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH MANUALS

to find the installation instructions for your specific switch and you can confirm the permitted mounting positions.

Can the pump control switch be mounted at the pressure tank inlet?

Can pressure switch be on tank inlet line? On 2020-04-19 by Raymond Teed

by (mod)

Yes Raymond

The pressure control switch can be on the inlet line to the tank - take a look at the photo I include below where there is a standard water tank inlet tee showing fittings for various devices including the switch.

Take care: there should be no shutoff valve between the pressure switch and the pump nor between the switch and the pressure tank.