Water pump switch installation or replacement FAQs.

This article series describes how to replace a water pressure control switch which is not working properly or perhaps is not working at all.

Presssure Control Switch Replacement Q&A

These questions and answers about just how to replace the pressure control switch for a well pump or water pump were posted originally at x - be sure to review the step by step instructions given there.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-06-23 by (mod) - find the correct problem - before replacing the control.

We need to start with the statement of what the problem is. For example if the pump runs but doesn't deliver water that's a completely different direction of thought than the pump not turning on at all.

For a shortcut to finding out where the "no water" problem lies, start by checking out the diagnostics

at NO WATER PRESSURE

If the pressure switch doesn't respond to changes in water pressure by turning the pump on or off when it should, that's a good reason to replace a switch.

But if the switch closes (to try to turn on the pump ) when pressure in the system drops to or below the CUT IN pressure (typically 20 psi or 30 psi) then the switch is working and we need to check

- for power to the pump

- that the pump is running

- that there's water in the well

- that well piping is connected

This diagnostic table is helpful: WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES

On 2018-07-19 by Anonymous

I replaced the switch and now have No water being pumped. I heard water comming to the tank for a short time but quit. Now-No water being pumped.

I replaced the 30-50 psi pressure switch with a new origial 40-60 psi switch and system will not build pressure.

Checked line voltage & is 230 volt. Still no water.System was working poorly with 30-50 switch. Used the two outside connections for Line Voltage, two middle connections for motor power feed. Still no water. Ideas?

On 2018-06-23 by Anonymous

how do I know if it's the pressure control switch that is making the pump not work

On 2018-01-20 by Mike S

A little better pic I hope.

here's a pic of the box too

On 2018-01-20 by Mike S

Gentlemen

I'm plumbing a new pressure tank with a 'tank T' and all new components including Square D 40/60 pressure switch.

The old tank and plumbing has the pressure switch 32" off the ground (see photos). The new tank and t will now put the pressure switch 8" off the ground. The existing armored electrical cable will not reach.

I wanted to splice into the wires in the wall junction box and extend a new, longer piece of armored cable to the new switch.

I found the wires in the box have not been spliced. All 4 wires are wired directly from the well pump to the pressure switch, via the conduit.

Is there any issue with code or safety that would preclude me from just splicing into the wires in that box and making a longer cable? Thanks.

On 2018-01-08 by (mod) - I replaced the motor I replaced the pressure switch and after adding my water to prime it came on few seconds then quit

Sheree

How courageous. Please take care not to get electrocuted.

That said, it sounds as if there are shorted electrical wires in the pump circuit, a bad pressure switch that's dead shorted, or a seized pump motor or, as you suggest, a wiring mistake.

Watch out: Review the simple wiring connections usually given in the pump control switch cap and compare that with what's installed - WORK WITH ELECTRICAL POWER OFF so as not to get killed.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-01-08 7 by Sheree

Guys I had my well water pump quit within minutes on out last freeze even with it being in a shed with foam coverings and heat lamp.

After the thaw it came on busting one pvc line so I shut the power and replaced the line and on powering it again, there was nothing.

I replaced the motor I replaced the pressure switch and after adding my water to prime it came on few seconds then quit and the pressure switch started to smoke. Did I burn up another pump or is the wiring not correct? Somebody please help lol

On 2017-12-17 by (mod) -

Sounds resonable

Be sure to work with electrical power to the circuit OFF lest you get fried.

On 2017-12-17 by mike

WOW, thanks for super quick reply. I will change them to manufacturer's instructions tomorrow. I don't know if it makes any difference but will go with it.

On 2017-12-16 by (mod) -

You will see that as this is AC current there's no polarity and the relay will "work" as yours is wired but yours is not wired according to the manufacturer's instructions.

On 2017-12-16 by (mod) -

Mike,
From our WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPLACE article at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pump_Control_Replacement.php

I will paste in an illustration that should help:

On 2017-12-16 by mike

I had our Square D pressure switch replaced recently (30/50). They used the outer two screws to connect lines to motor/pump and connected the inner two screws to the house current. I thought the motor has to be connected to the inner two screws?

Am I wrong, or it does not matter any. I also noticed a spark when pressure switch turns off with a click. Should I have someone look at it? or is it just normal?

On 2017-07-31 by (mod) -

Igwe

Please start with the diagnostic steps given at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIRS and let me know what questions remain.

On 2017-07-31 by igwe christain chukwu

am having issues fixing my preasure pump switch

On 2017-05-20 by david

my gauge stays on zero does that tells if the gauge is bad or could it be the presure switch

On 2016-06-27 by (mod) -

Check for a wiring error at the pump switch cover or wires shorted together.

On 2016-06-27 14:28:12.591390 by j s mccoy

i replaced the pressure-switch and now when the system comes on it trip the circut breaker

On 2016-05-10 19:02:45.720188 by (mod) -

Anon:

To replace what? If the worker was at your home and actually working during those 2 hours, that's what your situation needed. If she was asleep in the truck, that's another matter.

On 2016-05-10 by Anonymous

how long should it take to replace? Someone came out to my home at $125 per hour and charged me 2 hours to do. This is a professional company. Sounds like it should take 30 minutes.

On 2016-03-31 by (mod) -

Well yes but ... you'll want to look at the circuit fusing AMPS rating, wire sizes, pump overcurrent protection requirementsd.

On 2016-03-31 by Jerry

Can a half horse pump work off a 1.5 horse control box

On 2015-08-27 by (mod) -

Interesting question and one I've not considered; probably yes, though perhaps better is to install a filter upstream of the pressure tank and switch and leave them together. For safety I would bre very worried about installing a pressure switch where it might not protect a pressure tank or pump from over-pressure.

On 2015-08-27 12:24:02.364262 by John

Can the pressure switch be installed downstream of my filter system to keep it from plugging up.

On 2015-08-10 by (mod) -

Anon:

Watch out: it's easy to die from electrical shock if working on equipment for which we're not trained.

A broken wire, wiring error, or a burned up motor, control, or a blown fuse or circuit breaker can all explain why there is no longer power to a pump or why the pump has stopped working.

Trying to run a 230V motor on 120V is likely to damage the motor or wiring or controls.

On 2015-08-10 by Anonymous

Have a 240 single 1ps fuse box w/two line hookups,3 neutral,and 2 load w/2 fuses.

Have Franklin Elec. control box, 1hp, 230v, #28011084915 w.

L1 - L5. A Square D Pumptrol pressure box w/4 hookups.

The incoming lines look ok w/black hooked to line 1, white to neutral,and red to line 2.

Yellow wire going from load to pressure box.

Black wire goes from pressure box to nowhere, but is hot.

The 3 wires coming out of pressure box go to the control box as #2 black to L2, #3 yellow to L1, #4 Yellow to the load on the fuse box

.#1black is just hanging loose and hot.

L3,L4,L5 all go to pump, red, yellow, and black.

I tried it quickly to see if it worked and water gushed out. I tried it again before I hooked up the pipe

I needed from pump to tank and capping the 1"pvc (broke frozen) on the house side and it didnt work. Do I just need to hook that hot black wire from pressure box to the other load screw on the fuse box?

Was it bleed over and worked on 110v? Fuses are good. Dont know why it was left this way. It is 500'deep.Missing pipe between pump and tank with valve on pumpside of remaining pipe.

Plan was to finish hooking pipe to tank w/coupling and 2 nipples, capping the pvc going out of tank and use the valve between pump and tank for garden.

No breaker in house for well. Shut off all power and check to make wire is not hot anymore and hook to other load on fuse box?

Capped pvc on broke house side of tank, pump hooked to tank, will let me use valve between pump and tank? Have city water but want to eventually find city pipe (1'crawl space)coming to house and tie in using valve or shutting off at meter. Why did it run on 110v and not now. Did something get broke?

On 2015-08-10 by (mod) -

Gary you didn't give a hint to what's the problem, so my best tip is to look at the various diagnostic procedures found in the

ARTICLE INDEXto WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

On 2015-08-10 by Gary

Having trouble getting old well going to save on water bill.

On 2015-07-06 by (mod) - Varem components - contact information

Roger you can find Varem components at www [dot] varem [dot] com

To protect reader trust InspectApedia.com does not sell any product nor service.

Contact Information
Varem S.p.a.
http://www.varem.com
varem@varem.com
Tel. +39 049 8840322
Fax +39 049 8841399
P.Iva 01010270286

Bovolenta
Registred Office and Factory
Via Sabbioni, 2 - 35024
Bovolenta Padova Italy
45° 16’ 02.49” N, 11° 55’ 51.49” E

Limena
Headquarters and Factory
Via del Santo, 207 35010 Limena Padova Italy
45° 27' 43.93" N, 11° 15' 12.44" E
by car: exit highway A4 Padova Ovest, way to Trento/Bassano, first exit to Limena

On 2015-07-06 by Roger

Hello,
Can fine me this '' Fresh water pump,pressure switch,VAREM,pressure switch

Range 1 to 5 bars 220-240V is urgent and give me the price.

My contact is +237 6744 95692 or email: dontsop_dongmo@yahoo.ca
Cordialy.

Question: add a switch to protect water pump from damage?

(Apr 25, 2012) Ernie Parsons said:

I live in the North (Nunavut) and our water is supplied by truck and held in a 700 gal. tank. Sometimes when it storms and the trucks fall behind schedule and we run out of water. The problem is when this happens the pump continues to run and if we don't catch it quickly it heats up and ruins the impeller centre or the bearing.

My question: is there a shut off I can install on the pump or water line that will shut the pump off when the tank is empty.

Reply:

Certainly, Ernie. Take a look at the controls described at WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH

Question: what's the right air charge for a bladderless water pressure tank?

(June 14, 2012) Mack said:

Replacing pressure switch on bladder-less tank.

After I drain tank and replace switch, should I add some pressure to the the tank a few pounds below cut in (28 for a 30)as one would do with bladder tank or is this unnecessary? Thanks

Reply:

Mack, for a bladderless water tank if you empty the tank completely of water then most likely you won't have to add more pressure for the tank to work just fine when the pump is turned back on.

Question: pump won't come on

Aug 21, 2012) Dawn said:

When I turn on the watering system the pump does not come on but the relay switch box clicks and it clicks when I turn it off as well. I was told it could be this. New to this so I just wanted your opinion

(Jan 15, 2013) Stacy V. said:

I replaced the switch and rewired everything correct. I can't get any spark or anything. I have power coming to the switch, but still nothing??? HELP!!! I have no water...

Reply:

Dawn and Stacey V:

take a look at WATER PUMP DIAGNOSTIC TABLE and let us know if that doesn't solve the problem you describe.

...

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

Or see these

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WATER PUMP & TANK I&O & REPAIR MANUALS - manufacturer's guides to pump installation & repairs include advice about pressure control switches.

Suggested citation for this web page

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

Or see this

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

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