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Submersible Well Pump Trouble Shooting

Please note that this guide is general in nature and you should refer to your owner's manual for specifics regarding your product.

Symptom

Possible Causes

Corrective Action

Motor will not start but fuses do not blow.

No voltage at control box or disconnect switch.

Replace blown fuse.

 

 

 

No voltage at pressure switch.

Replace faulty pressure switch.

 

 

 

No voltage at control box.

Rewire supply to control box.

 

 

 

Cable or splices bad.

Consult licensed electrician or serviceman.

 

 

 

Control box incorrectly wired.

Reconnect control box correctly (see wiring instruction diagrams).

 

 

     

 

Fuses blow or overload protector trips when motor starts.

Check fuse size against chart in owners manual.

Install correct fuse or time delay fuse.

 

 

 

Check wire size against chart in owners manual.

Install correct size wire.

 

 

 

Check control box to see if starting capacitor has blown out.

Replace starting capacitor. Replace start relay if defective.

 

 

 

Check capacitor rating. Check start relay.

If voltage variation is greater than +/- 10%, call power company or local hydro authority to adjust voltage.

 

 

 

Check that line voltage is within +/- 10% of nameplate voltage while motor is running (under load). Check control box wiring diagram against incoming power hookup. Check your supply wire color coding.

Reconnect leads to match wiring diagram in control box cover. Reconnect power supply wires so wire color code matches motor lead color code.

 

 

 

Examine all connections and wiring in control box.

Disconnect power and repair or replace faulty wire. If necessary, pull pump ( make all possible above ground checks first).

 

 

 

Check for locked shaft in pump.

If pump is locked, replace it. Clean thoroughly of all sand or lime before reinstalling pump.

 

 

 

Consult licensed electrician or qualified serviceman.

Do not attempt to disassemble pump or motor.

 

 

     

 

Fuses blow or overload protector trips when motor is running.

Check that line voltage is within +/- 10% of rated nameplate voltage while motor is running.

Check that line voltage is within +/- 10%, call power company to adjust voltage.

 

 

 

Check temperature of control box.

Do not mount control box in direct sunlight.

 

 

 

Compare voltage and horsepower on motor nameplate with those given on control box nameplate or on circuit diagram inside control box cover.

Replace control box if numbers do not match.

 

 

 

Check wire size against wiring chart (in pump manual or control box cover).

Install correct wire size.

 

 

     

 

Pump starts too frequently.

Check all tank connections with soapsuds for air leaks.

System must be air and water-tight.

 

 

 

Check for defective switch or switch out of adjustment.

Readjust or replace pressure switch.

 

 

 

Make sure check valves are not leaking back.

Replace check valves if necessary.

 

 

 

Pre-charged tanks; check tank pre-charge air pressure, check for leak in bladder. Standard tanks check for air leaks. Check Air Volume Control (AVC).

Pre-charge tanks: adjust air pressure to 2PSI (13.8kPa) less than pumps cut-in pressure(when there is no water pressure on system). Replace bladder if necessary. Standard tanks: repair or replace tanks, replace AVC if necessary.

 

 

 

Raise drop pipe one length at a time until water stands in pipe.

Replace pipe above that point.

 

 

 

Measure distance from pressure switch to tank.

Move switch to within 1 ft. (.3M) of tank.

 

 

     

 

Little or no water delivered.

Examine valve.

If stuck, free valve, if installed backwards, reverse it.

 

 

 

Determine lowest water level in well while pump is running and compare to pump depth setting.

Lower pump further into well (but at least 5 ft. ( 1.5M) above bottom of well). Throttle pump discharge until discharge equals recovery rate of well. NOTICE: Running pump while air locked can cause loss of prime and seriously damage pump.

 

 

 

Check voltage at control box with pump running. Check incoming wire size and power supply wire size against chart in your manual.

Install larger wire from meter to control box. Install larger wire from control box to pump. If necessary, have power company raise power supply voltage.

 

 

 

Pull pump and check condition of screen.

Clean or replace as necessary.

 

 

 

Pull pump and examine check valve.

Free check valve.

 

 

 

Make sure system is clear of obstructions and pump is in solid water and operating normally.

Replace pump.

 

 

     

 

Air or milky water discharge from faucets.

Check for presence of gas in water.

Remove bladder orifices; plug tees. Be sure plugged tees do not leak. If necessary, separate gas from air before it enters pressure tank.

 

 

 

Make sure ports and ball-check valves are clear.

Replace control if necessary

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477 Cobequid Road, Unit #6      Lower Sackville     B4C 4E9        (902) 832-5288