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Improper voltage
Check the voltage at the control box or
panel.
If the voltage varies by more than 10% (+ or
-), contact the power company.
If the incoming voltage is OK, check the
wire size and the distance between the
pump motor and the pump control panel.
Rewire with correct gauge. Undersized
wire and a great distance between the
control panel and the pump motor increases
resistance and decreases the voltage by the
time it reaches the pump motor.
The starter overloads are
set too low
Cycle the pump and measure the
amperage.
Increase the heater size or adjust the
trip setting. Do not, however, exceed the
recommended rating.
Fuses Blow or Heaters Trip
(3-phase motors only)
The three-phase current is
imbalanced
Check the current draw on each lead to
the motor.
The current draw on each lead must be
within 5% of each other (+ or -). If they are
not, check the wiring.
The wiring or connections
are faulty
Check to make sure the wiring is correct
and there are no loose terminals.
Tighten any loose terminals and replace any
damaged wire.
(1-phase motors only)
Capacitor is defective
Turn off the power and discharge the
capacitor. Check the capacitor with an
ohmmeter (set at R x 100k). See page 15
for instructions.
When the meter is connected to the
capacitor, the needle should jump toward
0 (zero) ohms and then slowly drift back to
infinity (¥). Replace capacitor if it is defective.
Fuse, heater, or starter are
the wrong size
Check the fuses and heaters against the
motor manufacturer’s specification charts.
Replace as necessary.
The control box location
is too hot
Touch the box with your bare hand during
the hottest part of the day – you should be
able to keep your hand on it without burning.
Shade, ventilate, or move the control box so
its environment does not exceed 120°F.
(1-phase motors only)
Wrong control box
Check requirements for the motor against
the control box specifications.
Replace as necessary.
The motor is shorted or
grounded.
Turn off the power and disconnect the
wiring. Measure the lead-to-lead resistance
with an ohmmeter (set to R x 1). Measure
the lead-to-ground values with an ohmmeter
(set to R x 100K) or a megaohmmeter.
Compare these measurements to the rated
values for your motor.
If you find an open or grounded winding,
remove the motor and recheck the leads. If
OK, check the leads for continuity and for
bad splice.
Defective pressure switch
Watch gauges as pressure switch
operates.
Replace as necessary.
Poor motor cooling
Find the internal diameter of the well
casing (or sleeve, if used).
For proper cooling, the flow of water
must not be less than the GPM shown
across the bottom scale on page __.
Throttle up the pump flow (GPM) so proper
cooling is possible.
– or –
Pull the pump out of the well and add a
sleeve with a smaller internal diameter.
Pump Cycles Too Often
The pressure switch is
defective or is not properly
adjusted
Check the pressure setting on the switch.
Check the voltage across closed contacts.
Readjust the pressure switch or
replace it if defective.
The tank is too small
Check the tank size and amount of air
in the tank. The tank volume should be
approximately 10 gallons for each Gallon-
Per-Minute of pump capacity. At the pump
cut-in pressure, the tank should be about
2/3 filled with air.
Replace the tank with one that is the
correct size.
There is insufficient air
charging of the tank or
piping is leaking
Pump air into the tank or diaphragm chamber.
Check the diaphragm for leaks. Check the
tank and piping for leaks with soapy water.
Check the air-to-water ratio in the tank.
Repair as necessary.
Plugged snifter valve or bleed
orifice (causing pressure tank
to be waterlogged)
Examine them for dirt or erosion. Repair or replace as necessary.
Leak in the pressure tank
or piping
Apply soapy water to pipes and tank, then
watch for bubbles, indicating leaks.
Repair or replace as necessary.
The level control is defective
or is not properly set
Check the setting and operation of the
level control.
Readjust the level control setting
(according to the manufacturer’s
instructions) or replace it if defective.
Pump is oversized for the
application. It is outpumping
the yield of the well and
pumping itself dry.
Check the yield of the well (determined
by the well-test) against the pump’s
performance curve.
Reduce the flow by throttling back
the valve.
– or –
Change the pump.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
12
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