Well pump wiring diagnosis & repair questions & answers:

Frequently-asked questions about how to diagnose and fix problems with a water pump or well pump electrical wiring.

This article series describes troubleshooting a submersible well pump that was causing tripped circuit breakers and that pumped water only at a slow, reduced rate and pressure.

Water Pump / Well Pump Electrical Wiring Repair Q&A

Questions & answers about how to fix problems in well pump wiring, posted originally at WATER PUMP WIRING REPAIR - be sure to review the help given in that original article.

On 2022-03-28 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - water in submersible well pump motor needs replacement

@Ryan j wheeler,

I would replace the entire pump.

On 2022-03-28 by Ryan j wheeler

I have water inside my submersible pump motor.

On 2022-01-26 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Rob,

Common causes of intermittent pump stopping when power remains are

• well flow rate is inadequate + a pump protection switch turns off the pump to protect it from damage should the pump be run "dry"
• pump pressure control switch pressure sensor port OR the small pipe nipple or tube bringing water pressure to the pump switch is debris clogged
  

On 2022-01-26 by Rob

I have new 3wire 1/2 hp pump new pressure tank new pressure switch new wiring to well head . Checked continuity on wires from well head to motor.

Well runs and cycles fine intermittently looses pressure to 0 and stops for 2-3 minutes then starts again . There is power when not running??? Starts again after 2 1/2 mins consistently

Pressure switch points are closed when this happens

On 2022-01-17 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - what to do if the pump won't start

@Anonymous,

In the Index to Related Articles you will find an article titled "Pump will not start". It contains some good diagnostic steps to help you out.

On 2022-01-17 by Anonymous

the pump switch will not cycle on. I replaced the switch and I had a service tech come out and found one leg of the well pump wiring at 15 amps and the other at 3 amps changed controller and switch with no change.

The switch will not turn itself on and must be manually turned on. Is the motor on the submersible pump bad. they are coming tomorrow to change it but seem unsure of the issure

On 2021-11-27 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - long-electrical-wire run question

@Guy Priano,

I don't think the problem is bleed-over; the problem is running a too-small wire size over a very long run that causes an excessive voltage drop.

Please find your question repeated along with a detailed reply and our suggestions for wire sizes and an alternative, now found at

SE CABLE & WIRE SIZES FOR LONG RUNS

Be sure to read those notes as we've written in considerable detail to give a careful answer and explanation in reply to your question.

On 2021-11-24 by Guy Priano

When I replace the wire it will be in conduit. Maybe I need three separate wires that are direct burial so there is no bleed over? Just need to know what kind and size of wire that will perform without problems.

On 2021-11-02 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - pump failed after a heavy rain storm

@Aaron,

It sounds like an electrician is needed to trace the circuit to find the break or open connection.

Watch out: a broken, live electrical wire can be a serious shock or even electrocution hazard.

On 2021-11-02 by Aaron

My water stoped after a bad rain storm I changed the pressure switch and got new control box. I am getting power in and out pressure switch but the control box is far away down by the road.

When I check the power coming to control box L1 the white wire reads 0 and the black wire reads 120. I need 230

does this mean I have a break in the wire from pressure switch to control box or have I don’t something wrong? Any help greatly appreciated been going on a week without water !!

On 2021-10-28 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - shocked when touching well casing

@Anonymous,

Watch out: Turn off the well circuit immediately to avoid dangerous or fatal electric shock. Someone could be killed!

Your electrician or pump installer will perhaps test the pump circuit and may find shorted wires.

On 2021-10-28 by Anonymous

When I touch well casing I feel electric current but pump will not run

On 2021-09-22 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - pump protection device operation

@Eddie,

Just some vague guesses: consider how the pump protection device works. Usually it's monitoring current draw or Amps as an indicator that a pump may be running dry (and thus subject to damage). So we could have low voltage, or a failing sensor in the pump protection device itself, or even a constriction in the piping system (you've checked for this).

(this reader's question, our reply, and the complete discussion is now found at AMPS MEASUREMENT METHODS)

On 2021-09-22 by Eddie

I have a submersible well pump that fills a 5000 gal. storage tank. Pump motor is controlled by a pump motor control with protection device inside, and a Pumpmaster float switch.

My problem, that is now present from original installation, seems to be control of the power to the pump. When float switch activates pump motor, it fills normally for about 10 minutes and then clicks off and immediately back on, and keeps pumping as if nothing happened. A few minutes later it repeats.

On 2021-09-19 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Tshuma,

Lightning strike
Short circuit
Jammed impeller
Ran dry
Damaged wire
Jammed pressure control
Other

On 2021-09-19 by Tshuma

Causes of burning of a cable of a submissible pump

On 2021-09-07 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - use of the orange wire at a pressure control switch

@Harriet Blain,

Sorry I don't see an orange wire, but I do see

two red and a

yellow and a

black.

Two wires are power in to the switch and two are power out to the pump.

The terminals are labeled at least inside the switch cover showing which two connections are LINE (incoming power) and the other two will be LOAD (to the pump).

Watch out: At least one of your wires, the yellow one, is burned and overheated. The problem could be a bad switch (have it replaced) or the pump itself could be bad.

Watch out: there is live voltage at those terminals. Touching them with power -on you could be shocked or killed.

On 2021-09-07 by Harriet Blain

What is the orange wire to a pressure tank switch for? Woke up this morning to no water

On 2021-07-29 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - temporarily bypass the Pumptec pump safer switch

@Dave,

I would start by checking that the pump works properly by running it directly, BRIEFLY, temporarily bypassing the Pumptec pump saver.

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water-Pump-Control-Switch-Manuals.php WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH MANUALS

gives us

Franklin Electric, PUMPTEC-PLUS PUMP CONTROL & PROTECTION SYSTEM INSTALLATION GUIDE [PDF] (2013) Franklin Electric, op. ci

at https://inspectapedia.com/water/Pumptec-Plus-Manual-Franklin.pdf

that has some nice wiring illustrations.

Also for other readers we provide:

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water-Pump-Repair-Manuals.php WATER PUMP & TANK I&O & REPAIR MANUALS

On 2021-07-29 by Dave - how to wire my pumptec to my control box

I just installed a new 1 hp submersible pump with a Franklin control box it turns out I have a low flow well one half to one gal. Per minute so I bought a pumptec pump saver.

I need to know how to wire my pumptec to my control box and my float switch.the way I have it wired now there is still one twenty going to the pump in all three wires even though the pumptec turned off the pump there is no water coming out of the well. Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you in advance.

On 2021-07-04 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - how is a 240V circuit measured?

@Don,

In a typical 240 volt electrical circuit you will find half that amount when measuring between each of the individual wires and neutral or ground.

On 2021-07-04 by Don

Trying to test the wires going power to the pump and I'm only getting 130 from one wire and it's a 230 pump at the pressure switch of this deep well submersible pump I am getting two 1:30 readings from two separate screws what should the reading be at the pump I believe it should be 1:30 * 2

On 2021-05-22 by danjoefriedman (mod) - easy tests for a pump wire shorted to ground

@Joe,

Sometimes some simple electrical tests using a VOM or DMM can tell you whether it is a short to ground or a hot neutral short or an open wire. But ultimately you'll need to follow the wiring to find the damage.

On 2021-05-22 y Joe

Hi my connection between well pump and irrigation panel is failing , there is power but does not relay from well to box, any ideas? Thank you

On 2021-05-15 by (mod) - air leaks in well piping

@Anonymous, Check for any air leaks in the piping which you can tell by the pump changing noise or sound as it runs and check for a damaged or clogged impeller in the pump

On 2021-05-14 by Anonymous

Pump is primed but will not pump water

On 2021-05-12 - by (mod) - electrical shorts or low voltage can damage a submersible well pump

@Cliff,

I think that a submersible well pump could be damaged or put out of commission by electrical shorts or low voltage or other problems in the electrical supply.

On 2021-05-12 by Cliff

Is it possible that a submissive pump die of poor wiring

On 2021-05-07 - by (mod) - no voltage found on wires to pump

@Sam Smith,

To answer with confidence I would need to know more about how and where you made your tests and also whether or not you have one simple pressure control switch or a switch that is in turn operating a 240 volt relay control showing at the top of this page.

In general you would not expect to see voltage on the wires to the pump unless the pressure control switch was in the closed position.

At that point if you're not seeing voltage at the pressure control switch on the pump wires and then I suspect the problem is the switch or relay.

On 2021-05-07 by Sam Smith

I'm showing 240 on the 2 wires of the relay coming from the power box. However, I'm not showing any voltage on the wires coming from the pump. I know I need to go towards the pump to see if there is another junction box and if so if it's showing 240 there. However, if the wires are ok is it likely that the water pump has gone bad?

On 2021-05-02 - by (mod) - where do we measure 220V?

@Tom, with two wires and 220 volts I would expect you would get 220 volts between the two wires coming from your electric panel. Are we on the same page here?

On 2021-05-02 by Tom

This is a big world water pump 220 volts 2 wire

On 2021-05-02 by Tom

With the closed circuit on the pressure switch the voltage reads 250 volts on one leg and 0 voltage on the other leg

On 2021-05-02 by Tom

I checked the voltage on the line and load on the pressure switch one side is 250 and the other side is 0

On 2021-02-08 - by (mod) - wiring a 120V pump up to 240V is likely to damage the pu,p

Edwin

Unfortunately, sending 220VAC to a motor wired for 120VAC may damage the motor if in fact you fed it 220 volts; if you just fed one leg and thus 120V to the pump it may be ok, but you want to use the proper pressure control switch too.

On 2021-02-08 by Edwin J Ferrari

I hooked up new pump and forgot to change the switch from 220 to 110, will this hurt the pump capacity?

On 2021-01-24 by (mod) - unbalanced voltage on 2 legs of a 240VAC pump circuit

That sounds odd indeed, Jarry; I'd expect around 120VAC on each leg of a 240V circuit when tested from leg to ground, and around 240VAC when tested leg-to-leg.

You could have a damaged wire enroute to the pump or a pump motor winding that's shorting. Sorry to say you may need to pull the pump to check wiring and pump motor

Do keep me posted; what you find will help others.

On 2021-01-24 by jarry

ok the deep well pump i installed 2 years ago quit,,, its a 220 v 3 hp about 100 foot deep,,,,

well i had replaced the gauge and pressure switch when i put it in,,, its a 2 wire pump........

ok so i thought i tested circuits,, it sits like many below ground and the manual shut off was a fused box ......

so after i tested them and no breakers were tripped ,,,, i checked voltage and the voltage with wires on supply to fuse box disconnected show 120 on each,,, then i connected them and coming from the new breaker box they show 120 each side,,,, and good solid ground,,,,

but when i connect them to the pressure switch and pump and turn them on the one leg on the pressure switch goes to 168 and the other is like 78 v so the pump isnt working, i did unhook wires from the pressure switch and the continuity tester shows one leg and ground making continuity the other is ope.n. this pump being a 2 wire only has the pressure switch no control box my email is bodyman36@hotmail.com

On 2021-01-18 - by (mod) - is the problem the pump or a leak in piping?

Are you certain that the problem is that the pump isn't running as opposed to a running pump but a leak or piping problem?

On 2021-01-17 by Greg

So I bypassed my pressure switch and starter box to test the 11 year old pump at my parents place. It had proper voltage and didn't kick on. So I replaced the pump with a brand new one. When I powered the system up nothing happened so I started trouble shooting the system as I always have. Everything tested just fine but still nothing. So I once again ran a jumper wire from the supply at the emergency shut off straight to the pump and still it did nothing.

I know for a fact it's getting proper voltage to the pump at all times no matter what. I'm returning the new pump tomorrow. Am I wrong thinking that the new pump is bad too?
( It's a 1/2 hp 2 wire 230V submersible deep well pump)

On 2020-12-22 - by (mod) - some water system component isn't working: which one?

What's not working, Amit:

Water tank

Water pump

Water meter?

I'll be glad to help but I need a clue about what we're discussing.

On 2020-12-22 by Amit Bijalwan

water tank pump meter... is not working...

On 2020-12-19 - by (mod) -

Gil

Please tell me the "unit" brand and model

On 2020-12-19 by Gilbert Suazo jr

The unit was beeping. Now green light is flashing. What does it mean

On 2020-11-12 by (mod) - pump is tripping the circuit breaker th

June

If your pump is tripping the circuit breaker the usual causes are a failing pump motor or possibly damaged electrical wiring.

On 2020-11-12 by june

our sumersable pump starts but a few minutes it trips

On 2020-10-28 - by (mod) - cause of repeated breaker tripping for your pump

Stephen

The most common cause of repeated breaker tripping for your pump would be a failing pump motor; that may be due to a bad bearing, running the pump dry, or less common, low voltage or damaged wiring.

On 2020-10-28 by Chiboka Stephen

What are the causes of continue tripping off of over load switch on residential submersible pump

On 2020-07-29 by Robert

When my well pump comes on my line voltage goes down. I notice this as dimmed lights will dim even more. What would fix this symptom?

Do I need to run a larger wire size? My pump is probably 150' from the holding tank.

On 2020-07-12 - by (mod) - detect problem of well running out of water

Probably not, Jose. I may have been hasty (trying to answer too many questions too fast - apologies).

The symptom you describe occurs usually when there is low flow rate of water into the well combined with a pump protection switch or device (designed to shut off the pump to prevent it from running "dry" and thus being damaged).

A diagnostic step is to stop using water for as long as you can - several hours or more - to let the well recover (if it can). IF then you find that the pump delivers water normally, the problem is probably poor or low flow rate.

Let me know and we can take it from there.

On 2020-07-12 by Jose

Thanks for the response Dan.

Could the problem be a leaky foot valve if the pump doesn’t lose prime? The pump is able to immediately pump water every time it turns on but it only stays on for a few seconds. This happens even if I’m holding the pressure control “fill” lever.

On 2020-07-11 - by (mod) - signs of a leaky foot valve

Jose

The no. 1 most common cause of loss of water after a power loss, provided the well or electrical system didn't itself take a direct lighting strike, is that the well had a pre-existing leaky foot valve. During the power outage the pump lost prime as water drained back into the well.

Try re-priming the pump, but ultimately you'll need to replace the leaky foot valve or other check valve in the system.

On 2020-07-11 by Jose

BTW, I forgot to add that when the pump shuts off after running for a few seconds it won’t run again until about 20-30 seconds later, even if manually holding the pressure switch “fill” lever

We had a storm a few days ago and lighting (sounded fairly close) that cut our power off until the utility company fixed things a few hours later. We continued using water while power was out but had no water pressure when power came back.

I replaced the old pressure switch with a new one that has the little lever to manually switch on the pump to refill the tank when pressure drops too low.

The pump only runs for a few seconds and then shuts off. I have to manually hold lever (over and over) until I finally get enough pressure in the tank where the switch takes over, but even then the pump only runs in 2-5 second increments until it reaches max pressure (60 PSI). Pump is about 5 years old without problems prior to this.

What could be causing this issue??

On 2020-06-25 - by (mod) - is the pump 120V or 240V?

Really

The pump may be a 220V motor unit - do you know? Do you have the pump IO manual? Is there a data tag on the pump giving its brand and model?

On 2020-06-22 by Really only2wires

How do I wire a old well pump . It doesn't have a ground wire ? There no place for one .

On 2020-04-30 - by (mod) - anytime I put on my water pump, the cucuit breaker Trips

Dave

Two common causes of a circuit breaker tripping when the pump turns on are

- a short circuit anywhere in the well pump wiring - those issues are discussed above on this page

- a seized or frozen pump motor - details are at ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE inspectapedia.com/electric/Electric_Motor_Diagnosis.php

but
Watch out: if you're not familiar with safe electrical wiring and practices, don't fool with these tests yourself as you could be shocked or killed.

Your electrician can do some simple tests, measuring resistance, to get a clue about what's happening.

If the pump is a submersible unit, in the well, it may have to be pulled in any case, as the problem is either the wiring or the pump or its control switch.

On 2020-04-30 by Dave

Hi, i need help, anytime I put on my water pump, the cucuit breaker Trips, what could be the problem?

On 2020-03-20 - by (mod) - What would cause a main power fault indicator on my main system board?

Stuart

I can but make a feeble guess as you don't give the name of equipment, model no. etc. that would permit consulting the installation and operation manual for your well pump (or other equipment unspecified)

But typically a power fault means low voltage or loss of voltage or, less likely, reversed polarity.

Knowing the context is diagnostic: is this a new indication on equipment previously installed and working properly or has the indicator always been on since installation?

On 2020-03-20 by Stuart Howroyd

What would cause a main power fault indicator on my main system board?

Question: what caused my well pump pressure control switch to burn up like this?

My water pump keeps shutting off. I noticed a wire was charred and when I started the pump again saw a spark. Will insulating the wire fix the issue or should I take another course of action? Please advise. Thank you.

Wire on well pump charred. Water shut off and when restarted saw a spark. Can I just insulate? How do I fix this please?

(See picture. It’s the burnt wire on the right)

Wire fried on well pump. Water stopped working. Then wire sparked when turned back on. How can I fix it please?(far right wire see image) - Valerie

Moderator reply: burned wiring probably means shorted wires or damaged / failed water pump

Eric

The burned wiring tells us that there was (probably) a short circuit in the wiring and/or a seized pump motor.

It is of course unsafe.

I worry as well that no fuse blew nor circuit breaker tripped.

Do not just insulate and turn power back on.

Leave the circuit off to avoid a fire and shock hazard - sorry I know that's not exactly convenient.

Your repair tech or electrician will do some tests to find out if the problem is a seized pump motor or shorted wires - that's when we will know what repair is needed.

You will need at least a new pressure control switch (notice the overheated, burned contacts not just the wires), and perhaps some new wire and most trouble, perhaps a new pump).

If the pump motor is seized (or overheated and failed) that in turn can be caused by a variety of problems such as well running dry or pump running constantly.

Do keep me posted.

Reader follow-up: my pump was cycling on and off alot

Thank you so much for your quick response Daniel. My water pump cycles a lot.

Do you think the two are related. Over used/overworked system?

Just curious. Hope to have a specialist come out today. Will definitely keep you posted. Thanks again.

Moderator reply: pump short cycling can cause well pump damage and / or pressure switch burn-up

Yes - if you search InspectApedia.com with the on page search box you will find our articles on WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home

Often the cause is a water-logged pressure tank.

But prolonged rapid on-off cycling might indeed burn up a pressure control switch. If that was the cause you will be so lucky because the fix is pretty easy and all above ground.

Replace the switch and any burned wiring and correct the air charge in your pressure tank.

Search InspectApedia.com for

WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD

and also see

WATER TANK AIR HOW MUCH TO ADD

Your pressure control switch is damaged and should be replaced. More details are

at WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES - home

and

WATER PUMP SWITCH INSTALLATION MANUALS

Watch out: don't try electrical wiring yourself if you're not trained as you could be shocked or killed.

On 2020-01-19 by (mod) - low-voltage problem at the well pump

Bobby

That certainly sounds like a low-voltage problem. Often when a pump motor itself is failing it can draw high current and dim lights, but as you have a new pump I suspect the problem is in the wiring or panel or electrical service itself.

An electrician would

1. check supply voltage right at the electrical panel

2. check every wiring connection for looseness, overheating, arcing, corrosion, etc.

3. check circuit fusing and wire sizes and lengths

Watch out: if you are not trained in safe electrical work you could be shocked or killed. Don't fool with it.

On 2020-01-19 by Bobby

There's low voltages going to my pump when the points are open when I close the points it gets higher voltage I have a light in well house so I can see when pump is running its dim with points open gets bright whe there closed what should I be looking for short or miss wiring I've change the pump all doing the same

On 2019-04-08 1 by (mod) - intermittent loss of water pressure

Tonya

Most likely yes there is a central underlying issue - either a very low flow rate well or simply a loss of well prime.

On 2019-04-08 by Tonya Crabtree

The problem we are having after a period of a couple of months of no use of the property we arrive with no water. The 1st time the delay box was replaced,2 nd time the pump was replaced now the same issue. During last stay at property during heavy usage the water would recover slowly. Is there a main issue that could be causing these other issues to fail?

On 2019-03-28 1 by (mod) - Where do the black and white wire go on a well pump?

Aaron

I cannot bet your life or the fire-safety of your building by making a guess at exactly what wiring you're trying to connect - I've got just no information about what your pump and control wires are.

Typically in electrical wiring Black = hot and White = neutral, particularly on 120VAC circuits.

However if your pump is a 240V pump someone could have run a two wire circuit to it and both wires could be hot.

So sorry but I can't give an answer to what wires go where on an unknown switch for an unknown pump. It's just too dangerous.

Watch out: Please keep in mind that if you are not trained and familiar with proper and safe electrical wiring, making a mistake can kill someone or burn down the building.

On 2019-03-20 by Aaron

Where do the black and white wire go on a well pump that has a regulator switch

On 2019-03-05 by (mod) - damaged pump wiring - wires keep breaking

Anon:

Please see your question and my detail reply at

WELL PUMP WIRING DAMAGE

On 2019-03-05 by Anonymous

Why would the wires in my well keep breaking

On 2019-01-17 by (mod) - testing a submersible pump

Yes, an experienced electrician or pump installer can get an idea if the pump motor is working properly by measuring its current draw when the pump is turned-on.

On 2019-01-17 by Ronnie Neathery is there any way I can test pump

I bought some new property that has a deep well pump which is 375' to 400', it is a old homestead when the previous owners left they cut all the wires in well casing and at concrete slab,why is beyond me.

It's 3 wire, is there any way I can test pump before I sink money in a control box,new wire and pressure tank or do I just need to pull pump and replace?

On 2019-11-08 by (mod) - why your well pump keeps tripping the circuit breaker:

Bush:

Let's diagnose this problem of why your well pump keeps tripping the circuit breaker:

1. What is the ampacity or AMPS number on the circuit breaker? Is it 15A, 20A or something larger,
and
is the breaker a single pole (one switch 120V) or double pole (two switch 240V)

2. Now take a look at the data tag on your water pump; is the pump 120V or 240V (some pumps can be wire to either voltage so if that's the case, how is your pump wired?
and
what is the AMPS rating of the pump - from the data tag

Now if the pump AMPS is greater than the circuit amps, that alone would trip the circuit breaker;

3. About the prior pump motor seizing: that may occur if the pump is allowed to run "dry" for an extended period; IN turn that would mean that your well is out of water or nearly out of water and has a terrible recovery rate. If that's the case then running out of water happens even faster with a new bigger more-powerful well pump; Now if the new pump includes a pump protection feature, that could be turning off the pump.

SO unless there is a wiring or ampacity error you need a plumber or well service company to open the well and inspect its condition and its water level and perhaps its flow rate.

In the ARTICLE INDEX you'll find articles on how to test the well's flow rate or recovery rate.

On 2019-11-08 by Bush

My pump seized. I was advised to buy a much bigger pump. Installed the bigger pump to my old motor both with 0.75kw.when I turn on power, it pumps water for 3minutes,then the relay switch breaks, it automatically turns on after a minute, then breaks again in 2minutes.is it a motor problem or I need a much bigger circuit break?

On 2019-02-25 by (mod) - we have no water

Ed

You should find the pump circuit in the main electrical panel and follow it from there. There may be another switch right at the location of your water pressure tank and pump controller.

Watch out: if you make a mistake and you're not familiar with safe electrical wiring you could be shocked or killed.

In the ARTICLE INDEX see NO WATER for a list of diagnostic steps

On 2019-02-25 by Ed

Have no water switched pressure switch and upgrade to 40/60 pumped air pressure to 38 psi volt metter saying no amperage from pump and 240 from house cant find a switch to turn pump system on

On 2019-01-05 - by (mod) - pump stops after just adding 2-3 psi to the pressure system

Anon

When a pump stops after just adding 2-3 psi to the pressure system my first guess is that it is significantly mis-adjusted - perhaps on the differential screw or nut.

But if you bought and installed a brand new 30/50 pressure controller

And if you cleared or replaced the tubing or pipe that brings water pressure to the control from the pump or piping or tank,

then yes, I'm stumped too.

Can I assume that you've checked the water pressure with a reliable, independent pressure gauge to confirm that you're only seeing 2-3 psi?

What happens if the pump is forced to keep running independently of the switch?

If the pump can't develop more than 2-3 psi in that case there's either no water available or a gross water pipe leak or a pump that is itself damaged - say a bad impeller, low voltage, etc.

Watch out: forcing the pump to run on without the pressure control is dangerous: if you exceed the tank and piping rated pressure you can blow out a pipe or tank, risking injury or death to anyone nearby as well as, of course, flooding the area.

In sum I want enough diagnostic steps to figure out where the problem really lies:

- in the pressure control switch

- in the pump itself

- in the piping

- in the well's water level and flow rate

- in an ancillary pump protection device

On 2019-01-05 by Anonymous

Nothing compare to my situation.., pressure switch contact stay on and pump go for 2-3 psi then stop 15-20 sec and start again numeros time with contact always on "ON" position.. My plumber have no answer to this trouble and will ask others plumbers for troublesoothiing

On 2019-01-01 - by (mod) - best diagnostics for the short cycling well pump

Anon

The best diagnostics for the short cycling well pump that you described are in the article index that you will find a live link for near the top or bottom of this page. Look through that list of Articles to find short cycling and you will see the diagnostic and repair routine.

On 2018-12-24 by (mod) - only 120 V at a 240V pump hook-up

Darryl I'd like to help but am a bit scared of you getting electrocuted (killed) on Christmas Eve.

If the pump uses 220 and only one line has power (120 or 110V) then the other line is open, and dangerous. If you can't find the break in the wiring it'd be safest to leave power off until you have an electrician on site.

I'm not sure what the water valve switch is.

The water pump ought to be completely independent from the septic lift pump.

On 2018-12-24 by Darryl

I have a 220 volt submersible pump for domestic water. It stopped working. Only 110 volt at the switch. Checking breaker, I have 220. However I noticed a wire labelled water valve switch inline with one leg of pump supply. It would appear this is open.

What is this water valve switch. Note , I have above ground septic bed with lift pump. Merry xmas. Help

On 2018-11-15 by (mod) - lost all water pressure, manually re-set the pump - repair people hot wired the pump and burned things up

That sounds as if a pump protection switch OR a circuit breaker was shutting off the pump circuit due to a problem that could be with the well itself (running out of water) or with the pump (drawing excessive current).

The bad news is that when keep forcing a pump to run when its protection equipment keeps turning it off, we risk creating a more-costly repair: the pump motor overheats and is damaged and perhaps ruined, or other pump parts like an impeller are ruined by running dry.

A pump can also be damaged if it's a 240 volt pump getting power on just one leg (120V) of the circuit - if you keep forcing it to "run".

Whoever was helping you was NOT in my OPINION the most-expert person in the box.

If a pump is damaged and won't run, replacing the water pressure tank won't fix the pump. So I'm thrilled that the onsite tech concluded "the water pressure tank was not the issue"

The technician was better than your first onsite guy in tracing the pump problem to a loss of power on one of the two 120V legs of what sounds like a 240V pump.

Now we read that there's a fuse panel problem that needs to be repaired

Watch out: that's an unsafe condition - you need help from a licensed electrician.

And yes, it sounds as if the pump may need to be replaced.

An experienced technician should know how to measure the current draw of the pump before pulling it out of the well - that can tell us if the pump is working properly or not.

Watch out: bypassing fuses or circuit breakers to "test" an electrical circuit is something that some nervy and in my OPINION under-trained service people might do, but in my view it's a serious error that risks starting a building fire or shocking somebody or worse.

So yeah, your pump people don't sound like they're innocent here, but unfortunately, you, as a "non-expert" probably had already damaged if not ruined your pump by continually forcing it to run when it was trying to shut itself off to avoid damage.

So you share some of the blame. The unfortunate compounding of trouble here is that the people you called

- went ahead with expensive repairs that were probably not needed

- caused additional damage that increases the total job cost

On 2018-11-15 by Brad

My well problems began with total loss of water throughout my home. We could regain functionality by manually resetting the switch. This lasted for about two days, and then we had to do it again. The third time it happened, we were unable to manually reset the switch. We are a family of four that scrapes by on my income.....

so, if manually resetting the switch gave us a temporary solution while trying to figure out a long term solution, that was our goal. So, we called a plumber out for an estimate. He immediately noticed we had a blown fuse in our service box.

He used a piece of wire to jump the blown fuse and we still had spark at the switch, but in his words, not enough voltage to actually turn the pump on because the wire was too small. So he surmised that the tank was bad and that was making the switch over work and that's why the fuse popped. He did no electrical testing before coming to this conclusion....

.the price he quoted was nearly $800.....we contacted some family members and scraped together enough to cover the repair. The tech came out the next day and upon looking over the situation determined that the tank was not the issue....

that it was probably something to do with the absence of a check valve, or the switch itself.....

again, with zero electrical testing.....he told me that he couldn't simply add a check valve to the existing system or simply replace the switch because the plumbing was in disrepair and he'd probably break some things off when trying to do those things......

since we had already secured the funds to cover the repair I decided that replacing the tank as well as all components involved was a good idea since everything would be new and would ease my mind that it was all set.

Plus, since the old tank was still holding air pressure I could maybe sell it for $100 or something. So the tech went about replacing the tank and all components. When finished, he tested it....

he told me all of the following only after he had finished.....

he was only getting half of the 240 volts necessary at the switch with both fuses in place....so he took both fuses out and hard wired the fuse box. After doing so, he turned the breaker back on and something popped in the fuse box leaving a scorch mark inside of the fuse box and at that point he determined that the pump wasn't running.....

so, essentially we paid them $800 for a repair that didn't fix the problem and now are saying that our pump is bad, that they will need to pull and replace it and that will cost me an additional $1000....

my questions are numerous....is hardwiring and bypassing fuses standard practice?

Could the electrical spike that popped inside the box and scorched it have also fried my pump? They are telling me that the event that happened in the fuse box would definitely not have burned up my pump....

but they have been wrong and or shifty in general the whole time....are they trying to get me to pay them more to fix a problem that they created? And was that problem created by them due to incompetence and unsafe practices?

I really don't know what to do and I would love some insight from a different source than the one who has misdiagnosed, potentially damaged my property, and denied wrongdoing at every turn. Thank you

On 2018-12-31 by Anonymous

Hi there,
1/2 hp pump at 85', pressure switch (30-50) start at low pressure to fill tank but pump stop and start every 2-3 psi increase with contact on pressure switch "ON" all the time, ....tks

On 2018-12-26 by Anonymous - the 20amp pump circuit breaker keeps being thrown

I have a 240 v submersible well pump that has worked fine for almost 2 yrs but now the 20amp breaker keeps being thrown, but at different intervals.

It may run all day or it might trip in 5 mins. How do I check the wires to see if there's a short between house and well or if the short is in the well itself? The wire from the house is buried really deep.

On 2018-04-23 by (mod) - what percentage of the wire is damaged if a pump burns up?

Renee

I don't think we can make an accurate prediction of how much electrical wire is damaged when a pump burns-up.

There are just too many variables we don't have from your question. Often when there is a component failure the wiring damage is just quite local - at the component, but that's speculative for your case.

However there are well pump wiring resistance tests that can give you an idea of the condition of the wiring's insulation. We describe them in a Q&A higher on this page.

Replacing all of the wire is surely less costly than replacing half of it and then having to pay the installer to pull the pump and wire again to replace more.

On 2018-04-23 by renee

Is it possible, and if so, what percentage can the wire can be damaged, frayed when a 2HP pump dead heads, burnt-up, with no markings left on the pump?

The depth of well was 660'.

Cause of destroyed pump was that the main water supply line was frozen. It was determined that the water supply line was buried 8" to 15".
Plumbing code for buried water supply lines is 36" deep at min. Not sure how long the pump ran, approx 10 days.

On 2018-01-05 by Anonymous - Check the pressure tank air pre charge

Check the pressure tank air pre charge. Set It 2 psi so below the pump cut in pressure

On 2018-01-05 by Cody

Oh and I replaced all the breakers after they got wet

I wasn’t getting a reading when I tested the power at my pressure switch or at my 2 pole 20 amp breaker, but I had power to the panel. So I replaced the wire from my 2 pole 20 amp breaker to my pressure switch.

When I flipped the breaker my pump kicks on til the gauge hits about 20-40psi then it kicks off.

And it won’t turn on again so I checked the power again and I had the same situation. Initially when my water stopped assumed it froze.

When I was out there working on it I plugged in a space heater and that turned my pump on, that I previously tested for power and it did. The contacts on the switch were even closed so my pump should have been running but wasn’t until I plugged in the heater.

On 2018-01-05 by (mod) - Ran the pump but now have no power to it

Cody,

I cannot say that I completely understand or can follow this situation, but it seems to me you need to follow the wiring and test its condition for safety and normal resistance.

On 2018-01-05 by Cody

I have no water. I’m on a 170’ well, I believe I have a 1/2hp stainless steel submersible pump. 20 gal pressure tank, and a 40-60 pressure switch. I lost water. Tested the power at the panel, it was fine. My switch was bad so I replaced it.

My pressure tank needs to be replaced but I did recharge it and it holds pressure. After changing the pressure switch when I turned on the breaker the pump kicked on. Before the new gauge I put in got up to cut off pressure it shut off( it isn’t a low pressure cut off switch either).

And now I don’t have power from the breaker to the switch. It did get really wet out in my pump house do to burst pipe twice in the last 6 months. I changed the wire that runs from the breaker to the switch and the pump kicked on again but it shut off early again and now it reads dead again. I’m pulling my hair out please help

Well Pump Wiring Troubleshooting, Q&A - concentric well pipe sleeves

(Feb 2, 2014) tinner65 said:

my deep well pump has a concentric pipe running from the well to the pump. is the outer pipe just a sleeve for the inner pipe, or is there another reason for it?

Reply:

Tinner, some installers run a larger diameter pipe to make it easier to replace a supply pipe or wiring in the future.

The new lines can be snaked through the larger diameter plastic line. But I can't know for sure what you've got with no other description than your note. Take a look at the fittings, wiring, and water piping involved.

On 2017-07-24 by (mod) - FRN type fuse is a delayed response fuse intended to tolerate a very brief moment of high current draw

Tom

The situation you describe makes me nervous.

A FRN type fuse is a delayed response fuse intended to tolerate a very brief moment of high current draw that some electrical equipment uses, like compressor motors or large milling machines. If you use a non FRN the fuse might indeed blow at equipment startup even if otherwise it could carry the running load of the equipment it serves.

But when you get repeated fuse blows including the FRN-R-20 fuse that you moved to the troublemaking side of the panel it sounds to me as if there is a short or defect in the equipment.

I would have left such equipment OFF, have an electrician inspect the equipment and measure its current draw for proper and safe operation before trying to get it going with the right time-delay fuses.

A wrong fuse that is "wrong" only in missing a required time delay to tolerate a startup load might luckily (or because it's defective and unsafe) survive for a few motor starts in a panel. But that would not explain a pump motor that wouldn't start.

What would explain it would be

- one side of a 240V circuit is dead or its fuse blown, so the pump is getting just half its voltage

- a seizing or failing pump motor

- a bad pump start/run capacitor

On 2017-07-18 by Tom

One of my 20 amp FRN-R-20 heavy duty fuses blew. I bought a two pack of the wrong replacement and used a general purpose NON 20A in place of the blown heavy duty one and watched that sucker spark a quick fireworks show.

I then moved the existing FRN-R-20 fuse over to the side that blew and put the one remaining general purpose fuse in the side that was fine and it didn't blow.

I'm getting 110v power readings at the pressure switch and on the wires coming in to the control panel from the fuse box. I'm not getting any readings coming out of the control panel box 3-wire run that connects to the junction box on top of the water well casing.

Could the wrong 20amp fuse keep the pressure switch from turning on the pump? I picked up the correct fuses today but I was just curious. Thoughts?

On2017-02-17 by Leonard

I recently bonsai led a pedrollo water pump but it starts n swiches off tii often without pumping out water from a tank

On2016-11-29 by louis

I let these people stay here and when I came back my fuse box was disconnected from the tank and breaker switch how hard is it to resemble I'm also putting in a new bladder tank

On2016-11-21 by Margot

My hot water heater quit working this weekend and now my well pump keeps tripping my circuit breaker?

On2016-11-15 by (mod)

Anon the probabilities are a failing pump motor, an overheating pump (low voltage), shorting (dangerously unsafe) electrical wiring. An electrician would probably check the current draw: high amps may point to a failing motor or bearing.

On2016-11-15 by Anonymous

My well keeps tripping the circuit breaker. Sometimes it lasts a day & other times it has to be reset several times a minute or an hour. Any ideas? Do you think I need a new pump?
Thanks, Mary Ellen

On2016-10-25 by (mod)

LEAVE THE PUMP OFF Mejumaa as you are describing an overcurrent or short circuit that could cause a fire. You need to inspect the circuit, wiring, fusing, and then pull the pump and inspect it for having seized.

On2016-10-25 by Mejumaa mwachirero

The pump doesn't give water and when connect the fuse on sollatek it's burning.please help me to solve the problem.

On2016-08-27 by (mod)

Nicole

Ask your electrician to check the pump circuit wiring, connections, and current draw when you try to start the pump. It sounds as if there is a wiring error or broken wire or pump is mis-wired.

On2016-08-26 by Nicole

Electric is on. Two wires go to pump, both 110 - puts out 220 to pump. Pump still will not turn on. Tried direct line from panel to pump - still wont turn on. We also tried a brand new pump, still nothing. Havent had water in 2 days. Help!

On2016-08-24 by (mod)

I can't say from just your e-text, ram. Your electrician might disconnect wiring at the breaker, then see if the breaker will re-set.

Or try using a different breaker of proper size and rating. If the breaker resets when not connected to the pump circuit but trips when connected that's a rather strong indication of a shorted circuit or pump motor.

Yes a lightning strike can damage a well pump, wiring, or even the well casing.

On2016-08-24 by 1953ram

breaker won't reset on well pump ? is it a bad breaker or bad pump ?

On2016-04-25 by (mod) - can an electrical fire in the well damage the well casing

I'm reluctant to say that it's not possible for an electrical failure to damage a well casing that in turn leaks sand and ruins the pump, but a lightning strike is more likely to cause such trouble.

Run a well inspection camera down the well bore and inspect the area of damage. If you see lots of rust and exfoliation and thinning of the well casing, then those are old, long-standing conditions that at the very least, contributed to the problem.

On2016-04-25 by DRGO

Is it possible for burnt cable wires (10/3 yellow pump cable) to create a spark/fire in my water well that later created a rip in the casing that allowed clay and sand to disable the pump?

Could the burnt wire be weather-related such as a lighting strike?

On2016-04-17 by (mod) - signs of short circuited pump wiring

Kamran

I think you are describing a short circuit to ground (earth). You need to find the damaged wiring or wiring error and repair it. By testing each segment of the system separated from the others you ought to find the problem.

On2016-04-17 by kamran

earth leakage breaker settings and repeat trip as new submersible pump trouble shoot repeat earth leakage breaker trip found no short in pump motor or cable

On2016-04-16 by (mod) - check for wires shorted together

Anon:

It is possible to measure for conductivity between two wires that should not be connected: if an ohmmeter measures low or zero resistance then the wires are shorted together.

The pump may or may not be involved, depending on where the short occurred. I'd remove the pump and wires, fix the wires, test the pump and replace it if needed.

On2016-04-16 by Anonymous

I was told that my electric wires that run the well pump shorted and burnedout the pump. How do they know this if they haven't fixed the electrical wires?

On2016-02-25 by franklin

How do I extend the pump wire from the pressure tank. I'm trying to move the pressure tank but I do not have enough wire from the tank to move it.

On2016-01-24 by (mod)

Your well may be connected to a pressure tank and pump and controls in a well pit. They won't be actually buried.

On2016-01-23 by Stephanie

We have not had water for 3 days. Went under the house looking for tank or circuit breaker for well can not find them. Could they be underground?

On2015-12-12 by (mod) - pump not working

Not enough information to diagnose. You need an on-site pump and well service technician.

On2015-12-10 by adedayo

Machine draw power to itself but fail to pump

On2015-11-23 by (mod) - when I touch the pump I get shocked

David

Watch out: Turn the circuit OFF immediately so that we don't kill someone.

IT sounds as if the wires are nicked or shorted.

With power off your electrician may disconnect the pump circuit at the control relay and then check the wires going to the pump to see if they're shorted together. An internal short in the pump is also possible but less likely.

On2015-11-23 by David Kephart

My well deep well jet pump stopped working thought it was the pump so I replaced it. Put new pump in its not working either. Have power to pump but when I touch the pump I get shocked. My wires run from the house under ground to my pump house. Could I have a break in the wire??

On2015-11-09 by (mod) - abraded, damaged pump wire can cause fatal shock

Imdeed abrasion of the wire can kill the pump or a person too. When you pull the pump to inspect it check closely the wire throughout the entire route to look for signs of abrasion.

On2015-11-09 by Anonymous

I Replaced wire from pump to well cap the underground wire to pressure switch was not replaced i cut back broken burnt leg the pump works for 4 months then it breaks again pump tech support said it may be hitting up on well case

On2015-11-09 by (mod) - bad pump wiring versus bad pump

If you are dead sure the wiring is un-damaged from controller to pump then I suspect the problem is a failing pump motor.

On2015-11-09 by John

Well pump one hot leg going to motors burns up this have happen three times in a year cut and replaced wire and happens again

On2015-09-18 by (mod) - pump sometimes produces good water pressure other times not

Larry

If a pump is sometimes able to produce good flow and pressure then the problem is probably not the pump itself.

Could be the well flow rate is poor - the well runs out of water,
also
check for low voltage

On2015-09-18 by Larry

My pump don't keep up but it don't suck air. Sometimes it runs great and others nope

On2015-08-09 by (mod) - signs the pump is mis-wired

Doug

This sounds like a wiring or control hook-up error to me - turn everything off immediately to avoid death by shock hazard.

A careful following of the circuit from panel through control to pump may turn up the trouble.

On2015-08-09 by Doug

I installed new pressure pump and tank, pump and tank was preset at shop where purchased. when I turned power to pump filled tank up with water then when water is used the pump tries to start up it blows the breaker.

On2015-07-18 by Anonymous

Delayed pump starting When the pressure switch closes I get 220v coming out of the switch but it takes about a minute
for the pump to start running and I lose all water pressure. any ideas what problem could be

Question: on-off switch doesn't work

(May 8, 2014) james said:
what is the problem if on/off switch wont function?

Reply:

James :if you mean the pump won't turn off, In the ARTICLE INDEX see the article titled WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

Look for an open wire, shorted wires, or if your problem is a wall switch, replace it.

...

Continue reading at WATER PUMP WIRING REPAIR or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• WATER PUMP ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
• WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS
• WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH
• WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH
• WATER PUMP RELAY SWITCH
• WATER PUMP WIRING DAMAGE
• WATER PUMP WIRING REPAIR

Suggested citation for this web page

WELL PUMP WIRING REPAIR 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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