Water Pump Pressure Switch
A water pump pressure switch is used to turn your water pump on and off when
the pressure levels inside your system reach certain points. Every water pump pressure switch comes
equipped with sensors that are used to determine the pressure levels inside your system, once the pressure falls
below a certain level the pump is turned off, but if the pressure level rises above the preprogrammed setting the
water pump is turned on. If yours is not working properly it can cause low water pressure inside your home, but it
can also create problems with your water flow.
Having Problems With Your Water Pump Pressure Switch?
If you are having problems with your water pump the first thing you want to check is the
settings on your water pump pressure switch. If the settings are even slightly off it can cause your pump to behave
erratically, such as run continuously. To adjust the settings you will want to consult the manual that came with
the electric water pump or diesel water pump so you can get the correct settings. Then you will need to
adjust the nut to increase or decrease the tension on the springs that controls the water pump pressure
switch.
Corrosion On Contacts
If your water pump is placed in a wet environment one of the biggest problems is corrosion forming on
the electrical contacts. To help ensure your water pump pressure switch is working correctly you will want to
remove any corrosion that has formed on the contacts. Before even attempting to look at the contacts you will
want to shut off the power to the water pump and the control circuit. If there is corrosion on the contacts use
a fine-toothed file or even an emery cloth to clean the corrosion off. If the contacts are pitted chances are
you will have to replace them, but that is still cheaper than buying a new pump. Once the contacts are clean you
will want to test the contacts to ensure they are receiving and sending the correct voltage.
Clogging Of The Inlet
Another problem that your water pump pressure switch could be having is debris that is clogging the inlet. The
pressure inlet is only 1/8 inch in diameter so it doesn’t take a lot to clog the opening. If the opening is
clogged the pressure reading levels are not going to be accurate, which will cause your water pump to work
harder than necessary. Cleaning out the debris is important, but is not a permanent fix. Once you have cleaned
out the debris you will need to flush the system to remove the rest of the debris and in many cases you will
also need to install some kind of filtration system to filter out any debris.
Check The Pressure
If your water pump pressure switch is still acting erratic after trying all
of the above-mentioned things the last thing you will want to check is the air pressure in the bladder. If there
is low air pressure in the bladder this can mean there is a rupture in the tank. To check the bladder tank fill
it up with air from a compressor and watch the pressure gauge, which should read about 35 to 45 PSI. If the tank
cannot keep a steady pressure, it has a leak and will need to be replaced.
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