Well Pump Problems The Well Pressure Switch

If you have a water well pump then you also have a well pump pressure switch that controls the well pump. This little device can be very confusing. It also is known by many names. These may include pressure switch, well pressure switch, well pump pressure switch, water well pressure switch, well tank pressure switch, and many other variations. All of them refer to the same part that controls the on and off function of the water well pump whether it is a submersible well pump, a deep well jet pump, or a shallow well jet pump.


Some the problems that are most common with the well pump pressure switch.

1. The contacts burn out and fail to conduct the current through them to the well pump. If you see the contacts are very black or even not there then you definitely have to replace the pressure switch.
2. The contacts weld together and keep the pump on continuously. Sometimes after getting worn and dirty the contacts on the well pressure switch will just stick right together and not release when the pressure builds and then the pump will not shut off. Even if you can release them with a screw driver, after turning the power off of coarse, they will just do it again, replace the pump switch.
3. Dirt will sometimes plug up the little pipe nipple that goes down from the bottom of the well tank pressure switch and delay the action of the well pump. This can happen even on shallow or deep well pump that have the pressure switch mounted right on them or sense pressure through a small plastic tube. Take everything apart and clean out so that the water pressure to the pressure switch is accurate.

This should give you a basic guide to the common problems you may experience with your water well pressure switch.

Also note that some well pressure switches have a small lever on the side that will need to be held up for a minute or so to start the well pump. This is a low water cut off protection device that will keep the well pump off if it runs out of water in the well or if it loses prime for some reason. Hold the lever up part way for a bit till pressure starts to build in the well pump pressure tank and then it can be released.

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http://www.fixya.com/support/r3691134-pressure_switch_adjustment_water

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3690698-pump_problems_water_tank

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3689163-water_problems_pump_problems

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