Well Pump Won't Run FAQs-3

Washing Machine Water Pressure Booster Pump Won't Run
Well Pump Only Run if Manually Close Relay

Water Pump Won't Run, Trips Circuit Breaker Q&A

Submersible well pump won't run: trips circuit breaker

Pls i have a Shimge submersible pump with attach floater but of recent the pump has been tripping the circuit breaker when its put ON.

What can be the cause of the triping? On 2018-02-24 by Eras.

Answer by (mod) - check for shorted wires or a damaged well pump.

Eras

Several unsafe conditions can be causing the circuit breaker to trip, but the most common for the situation that you described would be a pump motor that is siezed.

On occasion I've also found damaged pump wiring that is short circuited. That can happen as wires run down in the well casing when a subsmersible pump torques or twists the pipe and wiring each time the pump starts and stops, particularly if the wires were not well secured and prevented from rubbing on the well casing.

Check to be sure that nothing is clogging or binding your pump.

Then follow the well pump circuit and inspect the wiring and connections for a loose or damaged wire or connection.

Water Pump trips circuit breaker in freezing weather

So we’ve had a bout of extremely cold weather and it tripped my well breaker. I tried tripping it back on. It sounds like it’s trying to pump water and then trips off. What can I do to fix this or do I have to wait until Spring? On 2018-01-05 by Corinna

Answer by (mod) -

Corinna,

Possibly the cold weather has frozen a water line or even the well or well pump, though most-likely it's a well pipe freeze.

The pump, pushing against solid ice is perhaps overheating and tripping the breaker.

Watch out: I would not keep re-setting the breaker as you may burn up the pump or wiring.

A savvy plumber in your area may be able to help you find and thaw the frozen line if she confirms my guess.

When I last dealt with a frozen (buried too shallow) water line between the well and the house the plumber brought a combination pony pump and heater that he used to pump and recycle hot water into the well line, gradually feeding the outlet end of his hot water line down the well line as the frozen section was thawed.

Later we excavated and insulated the water line - not absolute proof against freezing in prolonged extremely-cold weather, but good protection against well line freeze-up in more brief cold snaps.

That plus perhaps use of a heat tape or other heat source should get your well working again if the pump has not already burned up.

Well pump kept blowing breakers then the relief valve blew

I found that our water pump tripped the circuit breakers (220V).

So I replaced the pump presure switch.

The pump worked ok but took awhile to get up to the cut-off pressure.

But then I saw the 75 psi pressure relief valve was spewing water.

When I forced the pop off valve closed the pump blows breakers, drawing twice the amperage, from a 6amp to 10amp and blew a 15amp as well?

I'm thinking it could be wiring short in the well? any suggestions? (June 6, 2015) kevin kleinsmith

Reply: Watch out: very dangerous - never force a pressure relief valve closed!

Watch out: turn this water pump system off and drain water pressure immediately as you are describing possibly fatal hazards of electrical shock or injury from exploding pressure tank or piping.

You should never force a pressure relief valve shut - you're defeating a critical safety device.

Now about the tripping circuit breaker, it sounds as if the pressure control is defective or its pressure sensing port or tube is clogged so the pump doesn't turn ON nor does it turn OFF when it should - that is, not in response tothe actual water pressure.

A short circuit in pump wiring or a failing pump motor will also trip breakers. Check the wiring and connections and then get help from a trained electrician so that you can check the current draw of the pump motor. You may need a new pump.

Well pump circuit breaker trips repeatedly

The circuit breaker for my well puump has tripped twice today. Well pump is 20 years old. This occurred both times when we had outside spigots open for watering flowers. - Dean 7/1/12

Reply:

Watch out: for electrical shorts, fire hazards, shock hazards - if a breaker keeps tripping, leave that circuit off until it's properly diagnosed and repaired.

Circuit breaker trips could be due to a pump motor that is seizing, or a fault in the circuit, wiring, or control switch.

 

How much electricity does my well pump use? What's the normal current draw of a well pump?

How can i find out how much electricity my well head and pressure tank are using? The well pump is 1/2 horsepower. The pressure tank has no label or information on it. I am in the process of installing a back-up generator and I need to know the amount of power consumed at start up by these systems. - Anon. 3/5/12

Reply: some ways to figure out how much electricity an appliance or well pump is actually using

Anon, here are several approaches to finding out just how much electricity your well pump or any other electrical appliance in your home is actually using:

1. You can record the information on the data tag for your pump motor, noting the RLA figure.
   
   See DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS and understand amps, current, volts, watts, and you can calculate the theoretical electricity use.
2. You can turn off every single electrical thing in your building except the well pump, then watch your electric meter spin.
   
   That timing or LCD readout combined with the meter specifications from your electric company can give you a good idea how much electrical power the pump is actually using when it's operating. To that you'll need to monitor how often and for how long the motor runs during an average month.
3. You can also measure the pump's current draw using a clamp-on ammeter.
4. You can also rent or buy electrical use metering equipment that you'd hook into the circuit.

To compare the energy efficiency of different versions of a home appliance such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, or heat pump,

see SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS.

Water Pump Won't Run, Electrical Shocks Q&A

I replaced my pump and it won't run and it shocks me!

I just replaced my submersible well pump installed it and it wont come on and it shock's me every time i go to flip the switch but if i hold the switch on you can hear the pump running. On 2018-11-24 by Chris

by (mod) -

Chris,

Watch out: Please be sure to leave the electrical power to death circuit off completely. You could be killed or someone else could be killed touching the circuit the switch or the pump itself.

It sounds to me as if there's either a wiring error or damaged wiring.

I'd start by looking for a loose or disconnected electrical wire at the pump control switch. And I'd compare the wiriing connections with those shown as proper, usually found on a label inside the pressure control switch cover.

Watch out: if you're not trained in safe electrical work you could be shocked or killed: get help from a licensed electrician.

Well Pump Stops and Contacts Spark and Arc when I Tap It - bugs in the pressure control

My half hp deep well pump stops working, I check the pressure and where the points are it will be sparking and I tap on it, it comes back on and there is tiny bugs all over the points what do I need to do? On 2017-07-22 by Tracy

Repair suggestions by (mod) -

I would replace the pressure control switch Tracy.

And to be sure that there's not a debris or rust clog problem that prevents the new switch from sensing water pressure, be sure that the tube bringing water and pressure from the pump body to the pressure control switch sensor base is clean or that it's replaced along with the switch.

Also check for and clear any debris in the tapped opening where the pressure switch tube connects to the pump body itself. - Daniel

Water Pump Turns on for Just Seconds, then Stops

Well pump just runs for 10-15 seconds, then stops

My water won't turn on I replaced the pressure switch and nothing then it starts for 10 to 15 seconds then nothing. On 2018-08-31 by mike

by (mod) - pump won't turn on if tank air pre-charge pressure is too high

Look at the pressur gauge: is the pump shutting off at the CUT-OUT pressure set on the pressure control switch?

Have you run enough water that pressure has fallen down in the pressure tank, so that the pump runs for longer than just a few seconds as it re-pressurizes the system?

With pressure drained from your system, the air pre-charged in your water pressure tank should be 2 psi lower than your pressure control switch cut in pressure setting

New pump runs briefly then overheats and stops

I changed out my well pump; now it goes on for one minute then gets hot and stops. On 2017-11-30 by katz

Answer by (mod) -

K

There are a couple of things to check, including the voltage being supplied to the pump versus with the pump expects, and of course that the pump is not being run dry which will overheat and kill many water pumps.

Well pump runs for 10 seconds then stops. Motor very hot.

After troubleshooting many issues with my Wayne shallow well pump, I’ve noticed that it will hum for 10 seconds and then stop.

The problem is the motor get really hot even if it’s not being used after the hum. I could come down the next morning and it would be too hot to touch. The wiring connections look fine. It worked fine for years with no issue. Thoughts? On 2020-04-14 by Ben Wayne

Diagnosis and repair suggestions by (mod) -

Ben

That sounds like either a motor with a seizing bearing or shaft or possibly a motor that just needs a new starting capacitor or more likely, a new run capacitor.

See CAPACITOR TYPES, for MOTORS

And for the electrically inclined among us,

see TEST a MOTOR START or RUN CAPACITOR 

Or it might be something as simple as failure to lubricate the motor - IF your motor has lubrication points, usually found at the front and back ends of the motor around the motor's drive shaft.

We give detailed diagnosis and repair advice for this at ELECTRIC MOTOR WON'T START / RUN 

For motors having trouble starting see

CAUSES of HARD STARTING ELECTRIC MOTORS

then see

CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS

for more detailed diagnostic suggestions.

Watch out: if you're not familiar with safe, proper electrical wiring you could be shocked or killed.

by Ben

Thanks for the quick reply! I will read those articles, just a bit more info. It runs fine for 2-15 cycles, then will hum. I can turn shaft with screw driver and get the same effect for 2-15 again, but like it said, even when it hums and shuts off and is completely silent, it gets hot.

by (mod) -

Thank you for the added information.

Those are common signs of the conditions that I suspected in my previous remark.

by Ben - lubrication got the pump motor going

Just a follow up (and not suggesting what I did fixed the issue) but I took the back metal panel off at the end of shaft and added some non-detergent oil to the shaft itself. I put the panel back on and it’s worked great. No issues at all. It did look like there was already oil there, and the manual says it’s pre-lubricated, but I did anyway. Thanks for the help again!

by (mod) -

Thank you, Ben, that well pump lubrication tip may help others.

But I'd still worry that the pump has been damaged by overheating and by trying to run it with a seized pump shaft or bearing.

Let ne know ho much longer the pump continues to work. - DF

Intermittent Well Pump No-Start Trouble Q&A

Sometimes the Pump Won't Start - intermittent no-start trouble

Occasionally (every other day) my Monsoon 2.0 bar single pump won't start when I turn on the shower hot water tap. When the pump doesn't start, there is hot water that comes out (from the cylinder tank), water out free flowing.

Sometime the pump works perfectly, kicks on within seconds as I turned the hot water shower on.

Any ideas??Can you please advise? Thanks On 2017-08-20 by B

by (mod) - causes of an intermittent water pump on-start problem

B

An Intermittent no-start well pump problem might be caused by

• Debris-clogged pressure sensing tube or pressure sensor at the pump switch itself
• A loose electrical connection at the pump or pump pressure control switch
• A pump motor that's got damaged bearings and is therefore at or near end of service life
  
  Try replacing the pressure switch AND the tube or pipe or close nipple that conducts water pressure to the pressure control switch base.
  
  Let me know if that works for you.

How do I diagnose and fix intermittent loss of water or loss of water pressure?

I had a problem with inconsistent and low water pressure. I raised the bladder pressure to 20 psi, but it did not really improve the problem, so then I adjusted the pressure nuts. Originally my cut in pressure was 24 and my cut out was 65.

I adjusted it and now My cut in pressure is 37, my cut out pressure is 70.

How do I lower the cut out pressure when the spring is already at its loosest point, any more and it would have no pressure at all. Am I at risk of blowing out the water lines or anything else at 70?

In the complete cycle it goes from 70 to 60 in less than 10 seconds and the complete cycle takes approximately 2 minutes.

Do I need to make further adjustments or do I need to replace the pressure switch unit?

Can I take it off and clean it? Is there something else I can do? I have extremely hard water and do have a water softener but it is after the unit. I have not checked for plugged lines into the unit. HELP! - On 2015-01-06 by Karen -

Also, my unit is a 40/60 unit.

Answer by (mod) -

Watch out: Do not set water pressure switch cut-out above 70 as doing so makes leaks more likely.

Set the pressure tank air pre-charge to 2 psi below the cut-in.

Based on what you describe as the trouble you should read the article (also in More Reading above) titled

WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home

by Karen

DanJoeFriendman, I have read both of those links and many more of them here.

That is how I knew what to do and adjust

I have tried to lower the cutout to 60 but in doing so it also lowers the cut in well below 40. I can not adjust the small spring nut any further to compensate for the adjustments to the large spring nut. I raised the psi in the tank as suggested and backed off the nuts.

It is now 45/65 but when it cycles through - when it gets to 45, it takes a sudden drop to 30 then the pump comes on. Now what?

I am wondering if I have a leak in the bladder.

Reply by (mod)

That doesn't sound like a tank bladder leak, Karen, it sounds more as if the pressure control switch sensor port is debris clogged.

That will prevent the switch from turning on or off when it should

Replace the switch and let me know if you still have trouble.

Daniel

Water pump runs only intermittently

My pump (from tank to house) has been running intermittently and actually shut down twice in the last 24 hours. I went to the pressure switch and was able to manually restart the motor twice, once last night and once this morning. It happened a third time this morning and I was unable to restart it.

When I try the manual restart the switch sparks and then I hear only a hum rather than the pump kicking on. I replaced the pressure switch because the contacts looked burned. Still no pump start. I also cleaned out the filter and checked the pressure in the bladder tank. Pressure was very low so I added air up to 25 psi but still have no pump start. Pump is at leat 10 years old. What next? (Jan 21, 2015) Ray

Reply:

Ray

This sounds like there is a leak somewhere, perhaps a bad foot valve, a leak in well piping, or water running somewhere - that is exhausting water in the well. If the pump no longer starts it may have been damaged by running dry. Start by checking for power, reset switches, etc. to be sure the pump gets power.

If you added enough air pressure to put the tank pressure above the pump cut-in pressure, of course, it'll never start.

See WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING

Well Pump Only Runs if I Manually Close the Pressure Switch Contacts

Water Pump Runs Only if the switch contactor is pressed

My Hpp is working manually when contactor is pressed on the board, but when the Hpp switch is used it doesn't display - On 2019-02-15 by Anonymous

by (mod) -

Anon

Since the pump motor will turn on if the switch contacts are manually closed, we know the pump has power and that the pump motor itself is OK.

So it sounds as if your water pump pressure control switch is not responding to a drop in water pressure, so the contacts don't close.

You can confirm that by the following steps:

1. Run water in the building until the water pressure (shown on the water tank pressure gauge) is well below the pump's normal CUT-IN pressure setting (usually that means water pressure falls below 20 or 30 psi)
2. Note that the pressure control switch contacts don't close

Cause

1. The most common cause of this trouble is debris clogging of the pressure sensing tube that conducts water pressure to the pump pressure control switch or debris clogging in the switch itself.
2. A less common cause is that the diaphragm in the pressure switch base it torn or damageed
3. And another less common cause is debris that has jammed the pressure switch moving parts or relay parts. (Readers have reported this problem caused by a mouse, bugs, a worm, or corrosion).

Repair Options

1. Inspect the pressure control switch relay and contacts for debris or trash
2. Clean or replace the pressure sensing tube and also assure no crud is clogging the opening into which that tube connects at the pump
3. Replace the pressure control switch

Water Pressure Booster Pump for Washing Machine Won't Run

Booster pump to send water into the washing machine won't start

I have connected an automatic water pressure booster pump to my tap outlet and connected the booster pump out to the washing machine, but unfortunatly the pump won't start when washing machine demands/opens valve for a water.

But the pumps works perfectly when the washing machine is not connected. Let me know is there any solution to fix this ? On 2018-12-17 by Naga Durgesh

by (mod) - bad washing machine solenoid valve?

Naga

Your description strongly suggests that the washing machine's own solenoid valve is not opening to permit water to enter the washer.

Otherwise the pressure would drop and your booseter pump would turn on.

Give us the pump brand and model and the washing machine brand and model and perhaps we can review and find an answer in their specifications.

Water Leaks into Pump Electrical Parts

Water Got into the Pump Motor

Water went into the pump; tell mehow to fix it .On 2017-09-24 by Prakash

Answer by (mod) -

Prakash,

I'm not certain that I understand the question.

But if you mean the water enter the electrical parts of your pump, it might be possible to remove the pump from its electrical and plumbing connections disassemble it and dry it cleaned it and rebuild it, taking care to lubricate the shaft bearings.

I'd be reluctant to use any wet parts that got vcorroded, such ase electrical contacts in a pump control. Just replace such parts.

But I'm frankly not sure that that's the problem that you're describing.

Pump Won't Run: Control Board Failures

Leader Pump only works if I bypass the control board

The Leader pump when plugged tries to start but does not run, but when wired directly by passing the the board it works okay, where is the cause On 2018-10-16 by Ralph Martyn -

by (mod) - First diagnostic steps if the leader pump won't run

Sounds odd;

When a pump has trouble starting and is getting the right voltage, I suspect a bad start capacitor - or a loose, corroded or bad electrical connection.

But when your pump runs when wired directly and won't run when wired to a control board we can be sure that the problem is not the pump itself but rather a fault (or bad dip switch setting) on the control board or a mistake in control board wiring or its sensors.

For other readers,

Definition of Leader Pump:

a leader pump is the main or primary pump in a water or other fluid handling system where multiple pumps are installed, usually ganged together to provide higher total lift capacity or greater and variable total fluid flow or flow rate in gpm or lpm.

The leader pump as well as other pumps in the multiple-pump system will be controlled by a combination of demand sensors and electrically-operated switches or valves that bring the additional pumps on line when needed.