Troubleshooting: Pump and Control Switches

The “on’’ position is up for a Pump Down model or down for a Pump Up model. The “off’’ position is down for a Pump Down and up for a Pump Up model. If so, there may be a problem with the wiring, the pump, or the float. Disconnect power before proceeding.Wiring: Inspect the cable for damage. Double-check your wiring against the wiring diagram on the installation instructions.Pump (to test the pump)

Without Plug Models – If wiring is consistent with installation instructions, remove the pump switch wires and install a jumper wire across terminals where pump switch wires were connected (red and black wires for the Double Float®). Turn on the power. If pump does not run, consult pump/control panel operation instructions. Note: a Junior Super Single® pump switch should not be directly wired to control a motor contactor or relay.With Plug Models – Plug in the pump only. If the pump does not run, consult the pump operation instructions. Note: The pump may have experienced a thermal overload. Allow time for the pump to cool down and then test the motor again as defined above.Float: Make sure the float switch is the correct model for the application. (A Pump Up float switch is used for filling applications and a Pump Down float switch is used for emptying applications.) Check the label on the float switch cable. To determine float model in the absence of a label:

– Lower the float. If the pump activates, the float switch is a pump up model.
– Raise the float. If the pump activates, the float switch is a pump down model.

Note: An SPDT switch will have continuity between black and white wires when the float is up. It will have continuity between white and red when the float is down.
Check the float for proper positioning, tether length, or obstructions which may have caused it to hang-up. For the Double Float®, the gray float is always the top float and the black float is always the bottom float.To test for continuity: Connect a volt/ohm meter to the black and white leads, see figure below for units with plug. Move the float to the “on” position (up for pump down models, down for pump up models). For a Double Float® both floats must be moved to the “on’’ position. If the volt/ohm meter reads no continuity, there may be a problem with the switch circuit elements. Return the float to your supplier.

The voltage of the switch is listed on the label attached to the cable. A 120 VAC Double Float® will be damaged if 230 VAC is applied. A 230 VAC Double Float® will not operate on 120 VAC. In the absence of a cord label the voltage of a Double Float® can be discovered by measuring the resistance of the relay coil inside the switch. Disconnect power before proceeding. Disconnect the red and white wires, connect the volt/ohm meter leads to the wires. For a switch with a plug, place leads as shown below. The resistance values are: 120 VAC Switch – 3.6 ohms resistance, 230 VAC Switch – 13.6 ohms resistance.

Is Double Float® short cycling on one float?
If so, there may be a problem with the wiring, the floats or the relay. Disconnect power before proceeding.

Wiring: Inspect the cable for damage. Double-check your wiring against the wiring diagram on the installation instructions.

Float: Inspect float positioning. Check the float for proper positioning, tether length, or obstructions which may have caused it to hang-up. For the Double Float® the gray float is always the top float and the black float is always the bottom float.

Relay: To check the relay on pump up or pump down models, use a volt/ohm meter, touch one lead to the black wire and one lead to the white wire. For units with plug, see figure below. Lift the black float up and leave gray float hanging down. If the meter reads continuity, return float to your supplier.

(“ON” position is up for a normally open application or down for a normally closed application; “OFF” position is down for a normally open application or up for a normally closed application) There may be a problem with the wiring, the control switch, or other panel components. Disconnect power before proceeding.

Control Panel/Alarm: Inspect the power cord for damage. Check the control panel/alarm installation instructions for correct wiring positions for power.

Control Switch: Make sure the float switch is the correct model for the application. A Normally Open (NO) float switch is used for high level alarm applications and Normally Closed (NC) float switch is used for low level alarm applications. NOTE: On an SPDT switch, the black and white wires are used for a N/O switch and the red and white wires are used for a N/C switch.

Check the label on the float switch cable. If the cable label is gone:
– Raise the float up. If there is continuity through the switch, it is a normally open switch.
– Lower the float down. If there is continuity through the switch, it is a normally closed switch.

Check the control panel/alarm installation instructions for correct terminal positions. Check the connection between the float cable leads and the terminal strip. Check the float for proper positioning or obstructions which may have caused the float to hang-up. Inspect the float cable for damage.

To test for continuity: Disconnect the float cable leads from the terminal strip. Connect a volt/ohm meter to the black and white float leads. Move the float to the “on” position (up for high level alarm models, down for low level alarm models). If the volt/ohm meter reads no continuity, return the switch to your supplier. NOTE: On an SPDT switch, the black and white wires are used for a N/O switch and the red and white wires are used for a N/C switch.