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Water pump switch on electrical panel

CAE

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July 8, 2014 - 5:12 pm

Member Since: May 7, 2013

Forum Posts: 150

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Not sure where this should be asked but my water pressure pump switch on my electrical panel will not stay switched on. I turn it on and run the water....not long after I turn off the faucet , the pump stops and then a few seconds later , the switch pops itself to the "off" position.

Any thoughts on why this is happening?

Scott Carle

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July 8, 2014 - 10:12 pm

Member Since: October 10, 2009

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Sounds like your getting two high a current draw and it is popping the circuit.. could be resistance in the wiring to the pump.. could be an issue with the motor in the pump, or it could be a bad breaker. Put an ohm meter on the wiring to see if there is two much resistance.. lol.. don't ask me what it should be... I tend to look that stuff up when I need to do it as it never seems to stick in my head... Actually google fu is your friend for troubleshooting steps.

Is the pump motor getting hot?

Scott Carle DE38 Cutter s/v Valkyr

Patrick Twohig

San Diego, CA

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July 9, 2014 - 12:16 am

Member Since: March 13, 2014

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If the ohmmeter reads high then it won't be drawing more current, it'll likely be drawing less. Ohm's law I = V/R.

When electric motors are beginning to fail they are drawing more current, have a lower internal resistance, and would lead to your breaker popping. Motors also tend to draw more current when the mechanical parts are starting to fail just because they need more current (power) to drive whatever they're connected to. Water pressure pumps are relatively cheap, I'd just try replacing it. I had to do that when I bought my DE38.

Edit: You could also just disconnect the pump and see if the breaker still trips. If it does then it's definitely not the pump.