Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Sump Pump Switch

Sump pump switches are an important part of the sump pump system. When a sump pit collects water, it is very important that it does not overflow and flood the surroundings. Whether the sump pit has been placed externally or inside your basement, it could be disastrous if the pit flooded. Therefore, the sump pump switch plays a crucial role in getting the water pumped out periodically so that the sump pit is emptied as it is being filled up.

The most common type of sump pump switch is the tether float switch. Here the sump pump is placed at a higher elevation than the sump pit, usually just outside the pit. The switch is activated by a plastic floater which is moved about depending on the height of the water. When the floater reaches a certain point, the switch is turned on and the pump is activated. As the water leaves, the floater returns to its original position, switching off the pump. A problem that is almost always experienced with this sump pump switch is the floater getting stuck. When this happens it could prevent the pump from being turned on, therefore flooding the room. It could also do the opposite and cause the pump to continue working even when there is no water, causing it to burn out. However tether float sump pump switches still remain the most popular due to their relatively low cost compared to other types of sump pump switches.

A more dependable sump pump switch is the vertical float switch. Similar to the tethered sump pump switch it works with the help of a floater. However, in this case, the float is fixed to a rod that only moves vertically. This way the motion of the floater is restricted reducing the chances of it getting stuck. While they are more dependable, these sump pump switches are much more expensive than tether switches. They do, however, come with longer warrantees.

The most durable type of sump pump switch is the diaphragm switch. These are usually very expensive and not used by households. They are made for heavy duty sump pits, which require large amounts of water to be pumped out in a short time. With diaphragm switches, the switch and the pump are fixed together. The switch is immersed together with the pump. Like the name indicates, the water is measured using pressure. As the height of water increases, the pressure above the switch increases. This causes the diaphragm to bend inward, activating the pump switch. As the water leaves out, the pressure reduces and the diaphragm is straitened, deactivating the switch. Since it does not have parts that could get stuck, the diaphragm switch is the most reliable sump pump switch.

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