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Well pump or water pump protection switches & controls:
What can we install to protect a water pump from damage if the well runs out of water? How do we protect the well pump from damage due to pump short on-off cycling? How can we protect the well pump and its circuit from electrical overloads or lightning damage?
This article describes all of the devices to protect water pumps from damage from continuous running, short cycling, overloading, no well water, low yield wells, power surges, or lightning strikes.
We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
Water Pump Protection Switches Guard Against Pump Damage & Overheating
Watch out: A water pump or 'well pump' can be damaged by conditions that cause the pump to run continuously, particularly if the pump is running 'dry' - without water passing through its mechanical parts. The result can be the need for a costly repair or for pump and control replacements.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Worse, a more powerful pump, especially a submersible pump that fails to turn off when it should may also pump water at high enough pressure to burst pipes, flood a building, or injure a bystander - dangers we discuss separately e4at WATER PRESSURE TOO HIGH: DANGERS
Well pumps can also be damaged by other conditions such as low voltage, lightning strikes, entry of debris in the well water, or corrosive water.
Generally when readers ask what to do about a pump that won't shut off we suggest that they take the following steps
Reader Questions: Water Pump Won't Stop Running - can I install an automatic shut-off
(May 31, 2011) Rico Zambrano said:
My pump keeps running and wont shot off, I have good water pressure.
(Apr 25, 2012) Ernie Parsons said:
I live in the North (Nunavut) and our water is supplied by truck and held in a 700 gal. tank. Sometimes when it storms and the trucks fall behind schedule and we run out of water. The problem is when this happens the pump continues to run and if we don't catch it quickly it heats up and ruins the impeller centre or the bearing. My question: is there a shut off I can install on the pump or water line that will shut the pump off when the tank is empty.
Reply: yes. here is a list of the types of well protection devices available along with where-to-buy information
Rico:
If your water pump keeps on running and won't shut off,
1. TURN IT OFF manually so you don't burn up the pump motor.
2. Then diagnose the trouble, starting at
Ernie,
Yes there are more sophisticated water pump controls with sensors that can shut off the pump it it's pumping air. Typically these work by monitoring the current draw of the pump, the pump motor temperature, or actual water flow.
There are also water pick-up 'tailpiece' fittings intended for use in a well that might work in your tank that will recycle water through a pump to prevent its burn-up when water runs too low at the source.
Water Pump / Well Pump Protection & Switches & Devices
Other Square D pump controllers include models that do not include low pressure cutout features: FSG2J20 (20/40 Cut-in/Cut-out), FSG2J21 (30/50 Cut-in/Cut-out), and FSG2J24 (40/60 Cut-in/Cut-out).
Other similar pressure switches are used on air compressor and air pump systems. Those are not intended for use on water systems.
See this SQUARE D Pumptrol® PRESSURE SWITCH CATALOG for examples of this pressure switches that include an automatic cut-off in response to low or no water flow or pressure. See WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH for information about water pump pressure control switch diagnosis, repair, or installation & wiring.
Recommended: Water pump relay switch with built-in low pressure or overload cut-off features. Larger horsepower well pumps, usually submersible models, are switched on and off by a heavy-duty pump relay switch that is itself operated by the water pump pressure control switch described above.
Among water pump relays are more sophisticated models that include sensors that can shut off the pump it it's pumping air. These pump relay controls usually work by monitoring the current draw of the pump, or in some cases the pump motor temperature, or actual water flow. For example
See WATER PUMP RELAY SWITCH for details about these and similar pump relay controllers.
Examples of pump relays that include sensors and pump status indicator lights are given
at PUMP CONTROL STATUS INDICATORS
Pump Protection Devices Make Sure water pump shuts off when it loses water pressureQuestion: my water pump turns off when we lose water or pressure
(July 11, 2015) jack said:
My pump works but when it shuts off it loses water or pressure Reply: these articles discuss water pump protection devices that will shut off the pump
See these articles for devices that shut off a well pump to protect it from damage from loss of water in the well or from short cycling:
Question: less water after installing a pumpsaver device
(Dec 1, 2014) Anonymous said:
I had a pumpsaver plus installed, now it seem I have less water.
Reply:
A pump saver device, of which there are several device types using different methods, is designed to protect the pump from damage if well flow rate is poor, by preventing the pump from running from then on (thus being damaged) by recycling water through a tailpiece as pump runs - until the well recovers. I would look at the well flow rate to understand your issue with water delivery rate.
Question: pump for river water, cloggd foot valve
(July 31, 2014) Anonymous said:
The pump is pumping water from the river. Yesterday I pulled up the foot valve and brushed it to clean it. When I changed the pressure switch I had to take off that small clear plastic hose that goes to the switch and I let it run. Does it help to mention that this pump is a small one half horse power and it is over 40 years old.
Reply:
Indeed the same debris that clogs a foot valve can clog the small diameter tube through which water pressure is transmitted to the pump pressure control switch.
Question: pump shuts off sometimes
(Nov 28, 2014) Anonymous said:
my pump will shut off sometimes, but cant seem to figure out why the breaker to it doesnt shut off just the pump Reply:
Anon:
For a pump that shuts off unpredicatably I'd take a look at the operating conditions when that happened. For example: was the pump running for a long time before it shut off ? The motor may be shutting off on thermal safety.
Or was the voltage abnormally low? Same response.
OR was well water level run out?
There are various well pump protection devices and circuits that will shut down the pump motor.
In the ARTICLE INDEX found In the ARTICLE INDEX found among the Continue Reading links at the end of this article see WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH
Question: water returns after turning pump power off for an hour
(Mar 10, 2015) Anonymous said:
my well water supply will have no water. after turning off the electric supply for an hour or so the water supply returns to normal. Also the motor seems to run for a long period before it turns off. Reply:
Sounds as if your well is running dry. Or a pump motor is overheating, or a pump protection device is installed. Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
Sources & Prices for Water Pump Dry Run, Anti-Cycling & Thermal Protection Controls & SwitchesQuestion: what do pump protection switches cost?
(Apr 19, 2017) Natarajan said: Price for the product
Reply: Typical features, prices for water pump, well pump, booster pump, pump dry run protection devices, switches, controls:
Nata
Shown here, the ClaVal pump controller. [Click to enlarge any image]
Pump Protection Switches & Controls in Australia
Pump Protection Switches & Controls in France
Pump Protection Switches & Controls in India
Water Pump Controls & Protectin Switches in New Zealand
Water Pump Protection Switches in the U.K.
Pump Protection Switches & Controls in North America
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Continue reading at WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING - pump runs for 'no reason', or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page
Or see these
Related Articles
WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING - why the pump won't turn off
WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
SNIFTER & DRAIN BACK VALVES for water pump protection related to freezing well pipes
WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE - home
WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES - home
Suggested citation for this web page
WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS
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Technical Reviewers & References
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
EASYPRO® differs from traditional PRESSURE-FLOW REGULATORS as a result of the following innovative characteristics: - the built-in surge tank; - the possibility to select the pump start-up (re-start) pressure; - the back-lit LCD display where the pressure and other useful information is indicated. PUMP START-UP PRESSURE EASYPRO makes it possible to select the pump start-up (re-start) pressure between the values of 1 and 5 bar. The pressure selection is made using the command button and by following the instructions that appear on the LCD display. A single model is capable of covering a wide range of installation requirements.
SURGE TANK EASYPRO® comes complete with a built-in 3 litre surge tank. The substantial accumulation volume combined with its ability to absorb over-pressure, a typical surge tank characteristic, make it suitable for use in installations where other pressure-flow regulators may prove inadequate.
In order to guarantee optimum protection and accumulator performance, it is possible to adjust the tank pressure, the factory setting is 1.8 bar, to suit the pump start pressure selected.
PUMP START-UP PRESSURE EASYPRO makes it possible to select the. The pressure selection is made using the command button and by following the instructions that appear on the LCD display. Family: easysmall-easypress-easypro.
Pump pressure control system The simple pump pressure control system available from Pedrollo, South Africa has many advantages. We often have the request to assist with the design on systems where water is pumped from a dam.
Pond/ bulk storage to a service tank next to a home etc. The problem seems to occur when the user becomes embroiled in working on complicated control systems and ends up with horrific costs for cable runs or radio telemetry systems. The simplest system to use is to have the pump fitted with either an electronic pressure/flow controller like the Pedrollo Easy Press or a Hyrdrosphere/pressure switch system. Pump pressure control system using the Pedrollo EasyPress Pedrollo Easypress This controller activates if it recognises a flow demand and / or a pressure set point. The really great feature of the Pedrollo Easy Press is that it has a storage vessel to buffer the pressure on/off switch. This buffer zone is fantastic for two purposes, potential dry run operation (lack of water on the suction side of the pump like an empty dam or low water level in the source) and long discharge pipe lengths.
This buffer is essential to enable the unit to switch positively and not to instantly switch when the contacts would close and open with oscillating flow. Once one has a pump fitted with an automatic controller the rest is relatively simple. A ball float valve or a solenoid valve at the point of delivery completes the cycle. Basically the pump reacts to the line pressure. In this case the ball float valve in the receiving tank rises and closes the valve, pressure in the line builds and flow slows.
As the flow stops with the closed valve condition, the controller (which is located at the pump and can be up to 200 meters away from the pump) stops the pump. Water usage from the tank will drop the water level, the ball float drops with the water level, opening the valve, releasing pressure and generating flow. The controller sees the resultant flow and pressure drop and the pump starts. We do like to use the older technology HYDROSPHERE PRESSURE PUMP systems in long Pedrollo Hydrofresh water pressure system for single phase pumps. Er pipe runs.
The size of the hydrosphere must be linked to the pump flow at the operational head of the system. We like this system for very long pipe runs up to a few Km due to the added protection provided to the motor for stop/start conditions. The hydrosphere tends to absorb and delay stopping and starting due to pressure and flow variations in longer pipe runs, small leaks, air entrainment etc.
One does need to ensure that the pumps are protected with the correct overload protection. We like to recommend a proper control panel be installed with the pump which includes surge protection. In Southern Africa with power cuts, brown and black outs which can be frequent, it is crucial to ensure the electrical components are adequately protected. Sketch of water system with presure control at the pump and float valve at the tank.
The above represents the simplest way of controlling a pump remotely without using expensive telecommunication options. Be sure to check the burst pressure of the pipe is rated higher than the shut off pressure of the pump or the maximum operating pressure of the system. For more help or assistance with your system call 031 777 1629 or email [email protected].
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