Well water pump diagnostic FAQs set#4: water pump blows fuse or trips circuit breaker.

This article series answers frequently-asked questions about how to diagnose problems with the water pump bring well water to a building or boosting water pressure at a building.

If the well pump runs too often, is noisy, seems weak, runs intermittently with no apparent reason, or is otherwise misbehaving, these questions will help sort out what's wrong.

Q&A on Water Pumps that Trip the Circuit Breaker or Blow Fuses

Recent questions & answers about well pump diagnosis and repair, originally posted at the end of this article or at other water pump diagnostic articles such

as WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE - home.

Be sure to check out the diagnostic and repair help given there.

Well Pump keeps Tripping Circuit Breaker or Blowing Fuse

On 2023-06-13 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Mark,

Thank you so much for taking the time for that detailed follow-up note. It will certainly help other readers.

It sounds like we are of a similar age and have similar work experience and interests. We appreciate the note.

On 2023-06-13 by Mark

Ok, here is what it was. The old system was a 100 amp service via #10 wire connected to a "fuse box" with a manual shutoff handle. From there #10 wire to an outlet mounted on the wall in the pump room. A pig tail from the outlet to the JRS5 pump pressure switch. The low level shut off was wired to the pressure switch. Oh yeah, none of this was grounded.

What it is now. 200 amp service via #6 wire to new Square D service panel and a new 20 amp breaker. From there it's new #10 wire to new plastic gang box mounted on the wall in the pump room. Brand new pigtail from the outlet to the pressure switch and a new pressure switch.

A new low level shutoff cut into the new pigtail to act as an interrupt for the pressure switch. The new system is grounded front to back, direct from the ground rod outside back to the pump.

What happened... As near as I can figure out the low level connection had grounded out and since there was no breaker to trip there was effectively 100 amps going directly into the cistern via the low level wiring which did exactly what you would expect.

Now with the new service the pump is working correctly and cycling at the proper time.

Quick side note here: The power was off from 8am Sunday morning to 5:30pm Sunday and then on again off again the rest of the night with 100 volts max. all day yesterday which is not good for the pump or any other machinery but oh well.

Thanks for the responses and the help it's greatly appreciated. Background... retired master carpenter with. degree in architecture, more than 50 years in the field working with the other trades. Plus I know that if I don't know, go find some one that does. Thanks again.

On 2023-06-08 by InspectApedia Publisher

@Mark,

I get it, but

Watch out: if you are not trained and familiar with proper electrical wiring & safety, you could be shocked or killed.

On 2023-06-07 by Mark

Thank you for the quick response, I won't be working on the pump again until this weekend and I will take pics of the pump and pressure switch. I have replaced all the wiring from the meter to a new service panel dedicated to the pump and the pump runs and cycles like it's supposed to right up to when I connect the low level switch.

I really don't understand because I had a low level switch that was working and one day it just quit. I'm thinking this weekend I will also replace the pressure switch and if I have to I can replace the pump with one i had rebuilt. If that doesn't do it, I don't know.

One other thing, I don't live in the U.S. and reliable power is not common here. Supposedly to save rolling black outs the power company will drop the voltage on an irregular basis. To the point you can see and hear when they do it.

Plus if I try to call an electrician the guy that shows up will know less than I do and want to use my tools, if you get my meaning. Once again, thank you and I will get back to you after the weekend.

On 2023-06-07 by InspectApedia Publisher - jet pump from ground cistern will burn the cord from the low level switch, literally catching fire underwater

@Mark,

This sounds scary as all get-out to me. I want to help but from just your brief text I can't bet your life on a mere guess at what's wrong.

Look for a wiring error in your low water level switch setup, but first I'd look at the pump and its wiring and control for improper wiring or a short circuit.,

You may already realize this but you're describing an error that can kill you or anyone else touching the pump, its wiring, controls, or anything else having to do with the water system.

Can you attach a photo of your pump and in a second comment a sketch of your wiring plan?

Do you have the IO manual for your Gould JRS5 pump? IF not check these documents

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Goulds-Pump-Motor-Application-Installation.pdf

ITT GOULDS PUMPS INSTALLATION, OPERATION & TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL [PDF] (2005) found at

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Goulds-Jet-Pump-Manual.pdf

or for newer models of the same pumps

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Goulds-Jet-Pump-Manual.-2022.pdf

For other readers, the Goulds JRS pump is illustrated below.

Other pump instructions from Goulds - submersibles, motors, controllers, other controls

GOULDS JET PUMPS INSTALLATION & TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL

GOULDS PUMP MOTOR APPLICATION & INSTALLATION DATA [PDF] - includes wiring details for control box for several pumps

On 2023-06-07 by Mark

I have a JRS5 jet pump pushing water from an in ground cistern into the house. When I try to connect a low level switch it's like a ground fault and the power to the whole house goes out.

If I leave it connected long enough it will burn the cord from the low level switch, literally catching fire underwater. The pump runs fine, cycles like it's supposed to until I connect the low level switch. Any ideas?

On 2022-10-07 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - My pump hums and throws the breaker

@Ronnie,

The most common causes of what you describe are a seized motor that needs to be replaced or possibly a bad starting capacitor.

On 2022-10-07 by Ronnie

My pump hummes and throws the breaker

On 2022-06-07 by InspectApedia (mod) - a leak at the connection from the pump to the assembly/ tank and pressure switch

@Rick,

Trust me, it happens to all of us. Do let us know what you find out as that will help other readers as well.

On 2022-06-07 by Rick

I had a leak at the connection from the pump to the assembly/ tank and pressure switch. After repair, I started the pump and it still leaked. I fixed it again and while I was at it I replaced the pressure gauge and pressure switch.

I went to restart and the fuse popped/tripped (old-style fuses)? Could it be a failed pump? It wasn't pumping much water when I first tested it. (bad pump?)

I checked the wiring and I think its wired wrong. Instead of putting same colors to one side I separated one on each side.. Lets see what happens. Duh, moment.

On 2022-05-14 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - short circuit in your pressure control switch or a motor that is seized

@AUGUSTINE IMEVBORE,

That sounds to me like you've got a short circuit in your pressure control switch or a motor that is seized

On 2022-05-14 by AUGUSTINE IMEVBORE

I have two tank that the pumping machine supply water they're not link together they're separated i closed one tank with the control supply so that one tank can be filled up and close the one that is filled up and open the one that is close for water to enter and it will eject the fuse the minutes I open the control supply to the second tank.

What could be the cause

I have been pumping water like that for some times closing one for one to full before opening the other for water enter.

On 2021-12-20 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - well water stinks terribly and after a lot of rain the water will sometimes turn greyish black

@Cindy,

I don't know from just your description whether the problem is damaged or incorrect wiring or a seized pump motor. The pump could be seizing or jamming from debris in the water supply.

On 2021-12-19 by Cindy

Have a well pump only 1yr old. Well itself is old and I believe it’s a shallow well. The water stinks terribly and not safe to drink, after a lot of rain the water will sometimes turn greyish black.

My question however is now the well pump breaker box keeps blowing one of the fuses. I have the round fuses and there’s 2 the screw into the second small fuse to well pump.

It just started doing it and iv tried several new fuses and every time I kick the breaker on it sparks and pops the fuse any ideas on what could be causing this?

On 2021-10-28 y inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Why does my sumo pump pressure breaker keep getting hot and tripping off

@Uche,

When a water or well pump keeps tripping the circuit breaker,

most-likely there is a failing pump motor drawing high current, perhaps from a bad bearing, or perhaps from having run the pump dry.

Also see the electric motor diagnostics

at ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE

On 2021-10-28 by Uche

Why My sumo pump pressure breaker keep getting hot and tripping off

On 2021-09-29 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - electrical tests on well pump vs dead short

@Dennis,

I don't think that's a complete analysis or test. Even disconnecting the hot and neutral or two hot (if it's a 240V circuit) at the panel would not disconnect them at their other end - in the pump.

On 2021-09-29 by Dennis

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, can I remove the wires from the breaker in the house and put an ohm meter on them and if it shows an open would that eliminate the wires from the house to the breaker at the well?

On 2021-09-28 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - location of the electrical problem in the pump circuit

@Dennis,

Thank you for an interesting question. I don't think that we can assume that we know where the fault is by which breaker is tripping. While your speculation is reasonable it's also the case that two different circuit breakers May simply not respond on exactly the same time line to the same overcurrent. I'm saying that the difference could be between the breakers not where the fault is occurring.

On 2021-09-28 by Dennis

My well is powered from the house. There is a 30 Amp breaker there and another one at the well. The breaker in the house trips immediately upon being reset but not at the well. I wired it to a different 30 Amp breaker and it tripped. Would the problem be between the well breaker and the breaker in the house?

On 2021-09-14 y inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - causes of pressure switch burn-up

@Janet,

it might be best to have an electrician inspect and test your pump circuit to look for the cause of pressure switch burn out - of which some common causes include

- pump motor seizing

- excessive short cycling of the pump (search this site for that phrase)

- low voltage

- improper wiring or loose, corroded connections

- pump needs a separate control box that in turn is switched by the pressure controller

On 2021-09-14 by Janet

I have replaced my pump to my sprinkler system but the pressure switch keeps burning out. I have replaced the pressure switch 3 times. Can you give me some suggestions?

On 2021-09-04 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - Well breaker trips.

@Jonathan,

If tapping the pressure control switch does anything at all I suspect either burned points in the switch or, more-common, debris clogging of the pressure switch's sensor port; try replacing the switch.

Other causes are listed in the diagnostic suggestions at WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pressure_Table.php

On 2021-09-04 by Jonathan

Well breaker trips. I reset and tap on the pressure control box to bring it back on. Contacts in pressure switch look pretty bright. What else could cause this ? Thank you.

On 2021-08-20 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - well breaker trips in wet weather

@Bill,

Try the diagnostics at

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pressure_Table.php

It's possible that water caused a short circuit or water damage to your pump controls or, if wiring was not properly routed and weather-protected, even to an electrical connection outside the building or at the well.

On 2021-08-190 by Bill

After a lot of rain one day, my water pump breaker tripped. I then attempted to reset breaker and it kept tripping. The next day, tried resetting the breaker again and it stayed on but still have no water.

On 2021-04-30 by (mod) - causes of well breaker trip

@chris,

A tripping circuit breaker usually means that the current being drawn on the circuit is too high. In the case of a water pump that may mean that the pump motor itself is failing. For example a bad bearing can cause the pump to draw more current as it tries to turn.

An experienced plumber or electrician who installs pumps can do some simple tests for you to examine the circuit and the pump to determine if you need to replace it. That approach is particularly useful if your pump is a submersible one that's in the well because it's nice to have an idea of the problem before you go to the trouble of pulling the pump up out of the well.

On 2021-04-30 by chris

Water pump keeps tripping breaker. I replaced the pressure switch and I am still getting same results.

On 2021-01-29 by (mod)

Kyle

That is a smart guess. Failing bearings can mean that the rotor has difficulty turning due to resistance which in turn can draw High current which in turn can trip a circuit breaker.

On 2021-01-29 by Kyle - 99 problems and my hot tub is ONE!

I own a hot tub that is a dual pump system. One pump sounds as advertised, the other sounds like the bearings are going bad. Could this be a culprit as to why the junction box circuit breaker keeps tripping?

On 2020-10-05 by (mod) - what's wrong with my pump - trips the control box

Andrea

I can't say with just the information in your text but common reasons for a water pump or any electric motor to trip a breaker is that the motor is drawing excessive electrical current; In turn that's often caused by a failing electrical motor.

On 2020-10-05 y Andrea

What's wrong with my pump?

My water pump works for ten minutes and shuts off by itself by tripping the control box

On 2020-08-25 by SK

My domestic well works great under normal conditions, washing car, auto floats on water trough, etc.
The problem is that if you run the water hose with no restrictions (flooding garden area), it pops breaker in about 10-12 minutes?

On 2020-07-30 by Ben

A fuse to our well pump blew and actually started on fire and burned and melted the entire fuse box. It didn’t even trip the breaker. Just trying to find out why and how so we can prevent it from happening again.

On 2020-07-14 - by (mod) -

Mike

Well, thank you, that's interesting and strange problem isn't it. I suspect it's a bad pressure switch

On 2020-07-13 by Mike

A well which only services a sprinkler system is not functioning. The pressure switch is mounted inside the well casing and connects directly to the pitless adapter. Whenever you turn on the pump, it trips the breaker in about 3 seconds. However, if the pressure switch is pulled from/disconnected from the pitless adapter, the pump runs just fine. It does not make any unusual noises and pumps plenty of volume with its usual pressure.

On 2020-05-11 - by (mod) -

I'd check the supply voltage, and wiring size, then check the current draw of the pump.

On 2020-05-11 by ablservices150

Bore hole pump keeps tripping electric fuse , pump not old about 5 year , tried new fuse , cleaned steady press inverter out no blockages, , inverter runs for a bit then status light comes on trips fuse

Question: there is no electrical power to our pump, what's wrong?

(Apr 11, 2015) barbara said:
we have no electrity to our pump what could be wrong and how to fix

Reply:

Barbara

Start at the pump switch: assure that power is on; check the main panel for a tripped breaker or fuse; if power is on and no fuse is tripped then check the pump pressure switch itself: some pump pressure control switches include a pump protection circuit that shut the pump off if it is running too long or seems to be running dry (which can ruin the pump motor).

Some of those switches need to be manually re-set. If your switch has a metal lever on one side that may be the control: check the instructions for your particular pump switch or tell us the brand and model.

If that doesn't get the pump going, I'd suggest calling an electrician as I'm a bit worried about shock hazards if you start taking things apart or messing with wiring. The problem could be a broken wire, bad pump switch, or a seized pump motor.

Also see the electric motor diagnostics

at ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE

Question: well pump hums, well pump won't start

(July 17, 2014) John said:

Motor only hums when plugged in.

(Aug 13, 2014) raykan said:

Pump not starting unless you spin fan by hand

Reply:

John, look for a seized pump motor or bearing or impeller or a bad motor start capacitor

Raykan: your pump probably needs a start capacitor replacement

Question: slight push starts the pump

(June 27, 2014) Asad said:

My well pump needs a slight push to start the pump.

Switch was on when ran out of electricity and i forgot to switch it off. After an hour when the light came, since switch was on so pump stuck and did'nt start.

And after half an hour smoke started coming out of wires of the pump... there was a little blasting sound too. what do i do now?

Reply:

Asad,

Sounds as if the pump as well as possibly some wiring burned up and need replacement. Also check for proper fusing.

Then ask your electrician to check the well pump motor for a failed start or run capacitor.

On 2017-04-30 by (mod) a bad start capacitor can leave a motor humming

Bill, yes a bad start capacitor can leave a motor humming - turn it off right away to reduce the chance of burning it up - if it's not too late already

On 2017-04-30 by Bill

water pump under house humming but not pumping water, could it be the capacitor?

On 2019-01-23 by Tom Reed

@Tom Reed,

Both times the washer has been filling.

Submersible water pump has kicked the breaker twice in the last week. I replaced it 2-3 years ago and has not been an issue until recently! Any suggestions?

On 2018-01-07 by (mod) - The well keeps tripping but when I reset it nothing kicks on

Cody

I suspect that the pump or its impeller is damaged, OR your pump is protected by a control that switches off the pump when it is not moving water (such as if the well has run dry or if pipes have frozen)

On 2018-01-07 by cody

The well keeps tripping but when I reset it nothing kicks on and then it trips back out after about 30 seconds?

Question: replaced pressure switch, now breaker trips

(July 9, 2014) brian said:

I just replaced a faulty pressure switch and now it keeps tripping the breaker on the out side control box like once a day.

Reply:

Brian

If a breaker keeps tripping there is most likely an intermittent short in your wiring or an overcurrent caused by a failing pump motor.

On 2017-10-15 by (mod) -

Do you think it's possible that the voltage being delivered to the pump is too low, or the pump is drawing more current than the generator can supply?

On 2017-10-15 by Dean

Hi i installed a new pump yesterday. It seemed to work for a while but pumped dirty water, the water made it to the top of the bore then i sent it 150m up the hill then it stopped and started tripping my generator circuit breaker. Waited a day for water to clear then lifted pump higher to try again

. It pumped clear water then all of a sudden stops pumping and generator is quieter but the circuit breaker isn't tripped then i turn the pump off and the generator gets even quieter, then it back on then 5 secs later circuit breaker tripped on generator. Wait a few minuets then repeat and same again.

2017-01-12 by Richard - well pump keeps blowing the circuit breaker

My well pump keeps blowing the circuit breaker what could be wrong

Reply:

A short between well wires, short from well wires to well casing, short to ground, seized well pump motor, frozen pump contact or switch. Or less likely: a defective breaker.

Watch out, there are hazards of death by electrocution: leave the circuit off and call for repair by an electrician. It should be easy to use a VOM or DMM to check the current draw and grounding and continuity on the circuit as part of diagnosis.

Question: well pump trips the circuit breaker

(May 27, 2014) Anonymous said:

breaker trips after ten seconds

(Aug 25, 2014) ken said:

I have a dead short in the well that knocks out the breaker as soon as I pull the breaker

(Aug 27, 2014) joan said:

ive replaced my pressure switch several times and it still keeps shorting out and my water shuts off

Reply:

Most likely the water Pump or its control or wiring is shorted or motor is failing and drawing high current.

Ken

Leave electrical power off on the tripping circuit and call a licensed electrician for diagnostic help and repair.

The short could be in the motor, the pump control switch, or in damaged wires anywhere between house and your well pump motor.

Joan if the pressure switch is shorting out I'd be looking for damaged or shorted electrical wiring or a shorted or seized pump motor

Watch out: you describe an unsafe condition: shut off the system until a proper diagnosis and repair can be made.

Question: loss of water pressure traced to broken pump wire inside the well

(Apr 8, 2015) eileen driscoll said:
a month ago my water stopped. company came out and said it was a broken wire in well. worked for couple weeks then the circuit breaker for wellpump would blow every now and then. no idea why. now once again i have no water. Any ideas?

Reply:

Eileen

An experienced well installer or electrician can measure the current draw on the circuit - a step that can indicate a failing well pump, and can also check for a short in the wiring. That's where I'd start.

On 2017-07-26 by (mod) - choose the right pump type, model, capacity to avoid burn-ups

Larry,

You raise a common concern: I often hear from people having water equipment or well problems particularly for systems that are used in irrigation or lawn watering systems.

You'd need one of the following to avoid over-taxing the pump and perhaps burning it up:

- a new pump motor with a duty cycle rated for continuous-on usage. Such motors are designed to avoid overheating and to tolerate long on cycles. Look at irrigation pumps. Talk to the pump manufacturer if you can't find the usage duty cycle in the pump's specifications.

Example: the WAYNE PLS100 1 HP Portable Stainless Steel Lawn Sprinkling Pump rated for continuous duty and capable of 20 ft lift.

Another excellent continuous duty pump (from my reading not my experience first hand) is the AMT High Head Straight Centrifugal Pump - 4900-98, 118 GPM, 1.5" x 1.25", 3 HP, 230v, water pump is, according to the manufacturer's specs, rated for continuous duty.

However the AMT pump is not self-priming and is not designed for application where a water lift-height is involved. You probably need a model that can lift your water.

- a restricted water flow rate + pressure tank that lets the pump stay off for 10-20 minutes at a shot

- a quite large water pressure tank and a pump that could get ahead of the water usage rate, fill the tank and then stay off for 10 or 20 minutes at a time,

On 2017-07-26 by Larry

I use my water well for irrigation.

My pump motor had to be replaced after about 6 years. I open enough valves so when watering the pump runs continuously without turning off and on hoping to increase motor life knowing that these motors are designed to start and stop over and over am I causing early pump failure by leaving it continuously running for hours at a time?

Question: pump for 3 minutes then I have to turn off the circuit breaker to get it running again

9 Jan 2015 Anonymous said:
I have a water pump that pumps water for 3 mins then I have 2 shut breaker off for 5 mins then fine again

Reply:

Anon

Do you think the problem is an overheating circuit or pump that is tripping the breaker or a problem that the pump is exhausting water in the well?

I can't from this alone know whether the well is running out of water or the pump is overheating but as a 5 minute recovery period is enough to get the water on again I suspect an over-heating pump motor. Measuring current draw on the pump circuit might diagnose this trouble.

See ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE

2016-12-18 by Matthew Burfitt - My start overload keeps tripping

My start overload keeps tripping. Could a bad pressure switch cause this?

Reply:

Perhaps, Matthew,

But I'd bet on a failing pump or shorted wiring. Or perhaps a bad start / run capacitor

2016-12-15 by marca hinkley - weak cold water pressure

The cold water on our well is very low the hot water is fine what is the proplem

Reply:

There is probably a blockage or partly-closed valve on your cold water system.

2016-12-08 by steve - one circuit breaker of the two continues to trip

one circuit breaker of the two continues to trip at odd this connects to the well we had a well man replace the bladder tank today and the pressure switch and the pressure gauge was replaced 2 months ago. we replaced the bladder tank after removing a filter and finding it full of mud from the pump do you have any suggestions

Reply:

Steve

What's the brand of breaker? Most circuit breakers, if properly selected, use a common trip tie: it should be impossible for just one leg of the breaker to trip off on a 2-wire 240V circuit. But indeed you could have a short on one wire.

Mud in the tank suggests your well is low on water, the casing is damaged, or the foot valve is too close to well bottom.

2016-11-29 by amanda - pump switches keep going bad

We run two houses off of our well. We have replaced the pressure switch to our well pump 3 times in 7 years. Is there a reason the switches keep going bad?

Reply:

Look for defective or shorted wiring, debris clogging the pressure control switch, lightning strikes

2016-11-19 by John - Water has got into sump pump and blows fuse

Water has got into sump pump and blows fuse when started.can it be fixed or do I need new pump.tried hair dryer but still blows fus

Reply:

John

First

Watch out: for an electrocution (death) hazard - leave power off to the circuit where equipment got wet as it's likely it's short-circuited.

Water inside the pump or pump controls can sometimes be dried over time or by disassembly, but I'd be concerned that the pump won't be reliable and perhaps will be unsafe anyway, as having been wet and perhaps contaminated with sewage, corrosion and future failures are more likely.

I'd also worry that working on the pump may damage any water tight seals. So I'd replace it.

2016-10-20 by Michael - pump pops circuit breaker

New pump in a new well. The pump only runs when I hold the pressure switch lever in the middle of its range of motion.

After 10 to 15 seconds the control box breaker pops. While it is running the pressure tank fills to 40 psi. I get good flow out of the hose bibs during the run. What is going on?

Reply:

Michael,

If running a well pump pops a circuit breaker then I suspect either a wiring error (or damage), or a pump that is drawing excessive current due to a problem within the pump itself.

2016-07-09 by Anonymous - sprinkler system pump trips 10 amp circuit breaker

We just had an 80 foot well sunk with a 1 hp gould sprinkler pump to run our sprinkler system.

The system ran great for a month but recently the pump has been tripping the 10 amp breaker when the timer first turns the system on. When we reset the breaker the system runs fine through the rest of the cycles. Could it be the breaker is to small?

Reply

I've never seen a 10-amp circuit breaker in conventional residential electrical wiring circuits. But if that's what you have, notice that 10 is less than both 12.6 and 16. I'd expect a 20A circuit breaker and #12 copper wire for that pump circuit.

Compare the breaker amperage with the ampacity requirements given on the pump motor label. If it's the right breaker then there may be a wiring problem, a low voltage problem, or a pump or pump start/run capacitor problem.

2016-07-11 by Anonymous - water pump amps check

Ok Checked the amp requirements. Label says it needs 12.6 amps with a high of 16 amp usage. It is a 10 amp Square D breaker.

Also should say that if we turn the sprinklers on manually it works fine. It still runs fine after we reset the flipped breaker. Would switching out to a 15 amp breaker work?

Reply:

I'm really scared about this, Anon

. I don't understand your system, don't understand why someone put a 10 amp breaker onto a 12-16Amp circuit, and I note that

Watch out: just touching a live contact when fooling around inside the electrical panel can kill you.

Let's get an electrician in there to find out what the heck is going on with your pump circuit.

2016-06-18 by Mike - pump keeps popping breaker

The pump between my tank and house keeps popping breaker. Pump motor revs high low high low then breaker pops after about 15 seconds.

This started happening right after we had to replace our well pump. Tank did empty to the outlet during repair. Suggestions?

2016-06-06 by Anonymous - pump keeps shutting off and we have no water

We just moved to the country and the water well keeps shutting off we haven't any water in the house and the pressure is at zero what do we do

Reply:

Please see the diagnostic steps and repair tips at NO WATER PRESSURE

2016-05-16 by Ed - Submersible well pump throws circuit breaker on main panel

Submersible well pump throws circuit breaker on main panel. You reset it and it lasts for a day or two then trips again. Changed switch and it worked for about 10 days and now it's doing it again.

Reply

I suspect you need to pull the pump to find either bad wiring or a bad pump. Just be sure everything above ground has been checked first.

2016-05-19 by Ed - new breaker, still trips

New breaker put in. Power to well pump 249.9 vac 8.2 amps both legs 4.4 ohms resistance on motor. Still trips breaker.

I know probably time to call the well guy now. Its a 700 ft well, 16 yr old pump. $400 just to pull pump. If repairable do you just repair it or replace it at that age?

Reply

Ed,

Your electrician might measure the current draw in amps; most likely the pump motor is seizing, though there could also be a dangerous short circuit.

2016-03-18 by Donald gordon

My pump keeps tripping the breaker. If I tap on the pump then reset the breaker it will work for a while then does it again

Reply

Donald: I can't guess if the problem is the breaker, the wire itself, the circuit, the connections, or the pump or pump switch.

An on-site expert will probably inspect the circuit and test the current draw of the pump. I would get this repaired as the risk if you keep forcing a bad circuit to run is a fire or other injury or loss.

2015-12-08 by teresa - pump keeps tripping the overloads on the Pentair control box

Our water well pump and piping was replaced in June due to wear. It has been 10 years since the last pump was installed so I am not complaining about the last pump.

But, our new pump keeps tripping the overloads on the Pentair control box. We have a 3HP pump. supposed to put out 20GPM and our pressure switch is set at 40 to 60lbs.

We installed a cycle stop valve to reduce the requirement for additional pressure tanks...did everything the well repair team suggested.

The pump still runs at 17.4 A after startup. the FLA is listed at 14.3 I believe and the max was 16.5.

The repair team did not have/give me the model number and the manual, but i did look at it once. they have installed a monitor , but with winter, our demand is reduced dramatically and it the pump has not tripped.

The repair team tells me it will be fine - hey do not want to replace the pump. Do you have a suggestion?

Reply

Did anyone check actual current draw against pump specs and against the circuit breaker suze?

2015-12-04 by Heather - pump runs 2 seconds then trips breaker

I have replaced points and breaker,and when I turn my well pump on it will run for a couple seconds and then the breaker will blow again help

Reply

Sounds like a shorted wire or an electrical failure or short in the pump itself. Double check that the wiring connections are correct.

WATCH OUT: there are hazards of death by electrocution - if you're not trained you could be killed.

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Continue reading at WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE for table listing causes & cures for well pump or water pressure problems, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PUMP DIAGNOSTIC FAQs-5 - more recent diagnosis & repair questions and answers for well & water pumps

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS - If your water supply is from a city or municipal water system
• WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE - succinct guide to pump & well problem causes & cures
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 3: PUMP RUNS, NO WATER or INSUFFICIENT WATER

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Suggested citation for this web page

WATER PUMP DIAGNOSTIC FAQs-4 BREAKER TRIPS 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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