Pump Switches, Which one is right for You?

Float switches are one of the essential parts of a pumping system. The water level of tanks, cisterns or basins can be monitored using float switches. According to the water level change, the pump, control panels or alarms are given signals by the float pump. Various options are available to choose from, but first, you should know whether a pump or float control switch would be needed for your water system. A pump switch has direct control over your pump, whereas in a control switch the control panel or alarm receives signals first which then give signals to the pump.

Pump switches

Direct control over the pump is given to pump switches. Direct control may increase the startup and operating current and therefore that the pump has greater amp ratings. Pump’s FLA (full load amps) passes to the switch as well. If you have one switch, to give a signal of high level, when the float is 45 degrees above the horizontal, switch turns on. To indicate low level when the float is 45-degree below horizontal, switch turns off. In comparison to control float switches, pump switches have a broader travel angle.

For increasing or decreasing pumping range, the tether of the pump switch can be changed. The travel of the switch will be greater if the tether is long. These switches can have a piggyback plug or can have direct wiring without any plug. For minimizing floats in the system, one pump switch can be used instead of two control switches.

Let’s say if you have a pump-down application, rather than placing two control switches, you can directly place one pump switch with a long tether. Two Control switches would have been required since at high-level one turns on, and at low level one turns off. It is worth noting that due to the larger travel range, there are more chances of pump switch to get caught up.

Control Switches

High and low-level liquid conditions are monitored by control switch to alert alarms and control panel when needed. Control switches have narrow angles. They are made to work in situations when the engagement in the vertical position is low or when travel range is shorter. When the float is just above the horizontal, switch turn on, and when the float is just below, it turns off in a pump down system. Direct amperage cannot be handled by these switches since their wires are small. So you should never connect them directly to the pump because of their lower amp rating. Their job is just to alert or pass on signals to alarms or control panels.

Do you want to ensure your pump is functioning correctly with the right float switch? Feel free to reach out to us at ‪(760) 440-8520‬ to consult about the correct float for your water system.