Water Pump Pressure Control Switch

Where is the Water Pump Control Switch

Pump pressure control switches are usually located on or close to the water pressure tank or at an above-ground pump the switch may be mounted on the pump itself.

The photo above shows a green-painted pressure control switch, mounted on the left side of the one line jet pump.

You can see a copper tube that runs from the bottom of the pump pressure control switch bottom over to a fitting at the top center of the face of the jet pump.

This tube is sensing system water pressure inside of the pump housing. The bottom of the pump (or water) pressure switch contains a rubber diaphragm that is pushed on by water pressure conducted to it through this tube. The diaphragm in turn operates the pump relay that turns the water pump on and off.

See complete details of where to look or where you should mount a pump control pressure switch at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH LOCATION

For larger horsepower submersible well pumps that draw greater than 15A current, as we mentioned above, a separate heavy duty (higher ampacity capacity) pump relay switch is used to turn on and off the pump motor.

The pump pressure control switch senses changes in water pressure in the system and according to its cut-in/cut-out setting, that device in turn operates

the WATER PUMP RELAY SWITCH which in turn operates the well pump.

Unlike the pressure control switches shown on this page, a water pump relay switch can be mounted at some distance from the pump and/or the water pressure tank.

3 Most-Common Water Pump Pressure Control Switch Problems

At the end of this our Recommended Articles address all of the numerous water pump and water pressure problems to be diagnosed and solved, the most common troubles we find with pump pressure control switches themselves are

1. The pressure switch is not adjusted properly - so the pump doesn't turn on or off properly - see
   
   See details at WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS
2. The pressure switch relay contacts become burned - the pump switch chatters, sparks, or doesn't turn on or off smoothly
   
   See our detailed troubleshooting guide at WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH CHATTER
3. The pressure switch pressure sensor port becomes clogged - the switch doesn't turn the pump on or off in response to changes in water pressure, often occurring if there is sediment in the water supply
   
   Details are at PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH DEBRIS CLOGGING

How to Identify the Brand or Model of Water Pressure Control Switch

Take a look at the embossed design (such as a Square-D) or look for label text as illustrated below.

Reader Question: Can you identify the manufacturer of this water pump pressure control switch on a mobile home?

Your site has been so (extremely) helpful. Thank you for the information.

I am wondering if you, being familiar with water pump systems, know the manufacturer of this Pressure Control Switch? Only a few letters are readable (at the bottom), but I am hoping it is enough. - J.X.

Reply: Looks like a Square-D pressure control switch

Perhaps we can identify this pump pressure control switch from several things that are legible on the switch tag:

From the yellow wire in the photo bottom, most likely this is a 120V switch; so even though we know it's serving a mobile home it's not a 12V device. (Some mobile homes and motor homes use 12V pumps for managing their water supply.)

Second, the layout of the data tag and the remaining letters at the bottom of that tag look a lot like "SQUARE D COMPANY. You can just make out the letters ".... QUAR ..." that's a compelling argument for Square D.

Finally, if you look at the switch cover you might see a "D" with a rectangle embossed around it, or best yet, you might see the company name and details on a label stuck to the interior of the switch cover.

In any event from the data tag on the switch, a standard 120V/240V pressure control switch made by Square D or similar manufacturers should be just fine if you need a replacement.

You might turn off electrical power, remove the control switch, and take it to your local plumbing supplier for a match. To remove the switch you may need to plug the piping where the switch senses water pressure or drain water pressure from the system.

In the sketch above the pump pressure control switch is item #4 - we show this switch in more details in photographs provided in this article series.