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Quick Info About The Sump Pump Float Switch
- A sump pump float switch gets its name from the fact that it consists of a float and a switch. The float monitors the water level in a pit. When the water level in the pit reaches the switch ON height, the electricity flows through the switch and runs the pump. This activity occurs automatically. Some pump manufacturers rely on a diaphragm to monitor water pressure rather than water height in the pit.
- A tether float, a magnetic draw vertical float, and a 2-pole snap action vertical float monitor water level. A diaphragm switch monitor water pressure. Both types are effective; however their design, operation and life span is different.
- Not all electronic sump pump switches operate the same. Some use a diaphragm float with an electronic controller. The electronic switch we recommend is the Hydrocheck HC6000. It has no moving parts and has a long life span. Our HC6000 has been operating since 2011. That is 12 years without failure and it is still functioning as intended.
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How Does A Sump Pump Float Switch Work? Why Do Some Work Differently?
The float switch for a submersible sump pump is important because it is the mechanism that triggers the operation of the pump. Without some kind of trigger the pump will not operate. Not all sump pumps rely on the same kind of trigger, but they all pump water from a sump pit when it reaches the switch ON height.
The 5 types of sump pump float switches are: the tether, the magnetic draw vertical, the 2-pole snap action vertical, the diaphragm and the electronic switch.
What Makes Each Float Switch Type Work?
- The tether and vertical float monitor the level of water in a sump pit. When the water raises the float to the ON position of the switch, the electrical circuit in the switch closes, and electricity runs the pump.
- A diaphragm relies on water pressure to trigger the operation of the pump.
- A microprocessor relies on sensing of water to trigger the operation of the pump.
- A digital level controller relies on water pressure and current sent to relay to activate the pump.
- An electronic sump pump water level controller relies on change of resistance between water and pump motor. Water has less resistance the higher (more volume) it gets in the pit; the pump has more resistance when the water is higher; this resistance is measured by the controller which triggers the pump to activate.
What Does Each Float Switch Type Look Like?
- The tether float looks like a long rope with a ball at the end which houses the switch.
- The vertical float looks like a vertical stick with a float at the bottom until the water raises it.
- A diaphragm switch is a pump with a circular membrane on one side and a switch behind it. The flexible membrane moves in and out as water pressure increases and decreases in the pit. The switch ON position occurs when the diaphragm pushes hard enough to close the switch connectors and send electrical current to the pump.
- An electronic switch is a set of sensors and an electronic controller though there are variations of this design. Electronic switches with Hi-Lo sensors have no moving parts. The sensors acknowledge the presence of water when it reaches their tip and conveys a signal to the controller which in turn sends electricity to the pump. Its operation is very simple with no mechanical parts to fail.
- A tether float is prone to get caught easiest, requires a larger pit, and fails quicker than other float types; however, mechanically it is very simple. The length of its long tether is adjustable and is a favorite for those who wish to see 9 gallons of water pumped per cycle. The tether works tirelessly swinging up and out and down and in; therefore the tether casing eventually cracks allowing water to interfere with the electrical current. Likewise the switch connections wear out as well.
- The vertical float is the most common float switch type. It takes less pit room and has more elaborate float switch protection against pit hang-ups. But like all other float-switch types, the vertical float switch eventually stops working too. Vertical floats can be classified as magnetic drawn or reach their ON height by floating naturally.
- Magnetic drawn float switches are prone to water chemical contaminates such as calcium carbonate which causes premature switch failure.
- The 2-pole snap action vertical float switch is more dependable because it is not affected by contaminates. Eventually a 2-pole snap action float switch fails too because the switch connectors become worn by friction caused during switch connector connection. The float design of the 2-pole snap action float switch is more dependable because its float is puncture proof and its float guard is much more robust. Though the vertical float switch takes 6 less inches of pit diameter, its float is not adjustable and it can only pump 4 to 6 gallons per cycle.
- A diaphragm switch has no float; however it has a thin membrane known as a diaphragm what stretches and wears out over time. Pits with small pea gravel make the diaphragm susceptible to pebble lodging and causing failure. The diaphragm switch cannot be adjusted so pumps less water per cycle than a tether float switch. The diaphragm switch relies upon the pressure of the water to trigger the operation of the switch; however like the other float switch types it wears out over time.
- A microprocessor is switchless and motionless. This is a great invention if the ground water has no deposits that will inhibit a proper reading on the water sensor. If you live in an area of the country where calcium carbonate concentration is high, the sensor will need to be cleaned frequently.
- A Digital Level Controller has no moving parts. The water level is monitored by the degree of water pressure sensed by the diaphragm membrane and transmitted to a relay board. The design is simple; however the diaphragm eventually stretches the the relay boards does fail. Surprisingly, manufacturers only offer a one year warranty.
- An electronic switch is truly the most reliable of all sump pump float switches. No moving parts and no preset ON OFF levels exist. The height for placing the 2 water sensors is customizable. The distance between the ON OFF height can be as much as 36 inches which indeed prevents motor short cycling. Unlike the magnetic draw vertical float switch, the Hi-Lo water sensors are not affected by ground water contaminates. Unlike other float switch types, the electronic switch sensors attach to the discharge pipe and require no additional pit space. The electronic switch relies on resistance rather than relay boards that fail. Compared to other float switch types, the electronic switch is most reliable. Our electronic switch is still operating flawlessly after 12 years.
Recommendation For Best Sump Pump Float Switch
- A tether switch needs an 18 inch diameter pit so unless your sump basin is wide and no backup pump is installed this is not a recommended choice.
- The way a magnetic draw float switch works sounds good, but if there is calcium carbonate in the ground water, the magnetic becomes contaminated and won't work. Several years ago that's the only type of float switch our sump pumps used. They always failed after 2 years. Frustrated, we talked with the pump manufacturer and learned this type of float switch is not a good choice for our ground water.
- The 2-pole snap action float switch is very effective and more reliable than the magnetic draw vertical float switch. It is not affected by water contaminates; however it is a mechanical device and eventually the switch connectors wear out because of friction heat.
- Considering the above options, we searched for something better and found the Hydrocheck HC6000 electronic float switch. It is by far the best float switch we have owned. Currently oura is 12 years old and still functioning as intended without any maintenance. The HC6000 is not affected by water mineral contamination. It takes no extra pit space. There is nothing that tangles. There are no relay connectors to fail. The ON OFF height is customizable. This is the perfect sump pump float switch.
Yes! Absolutely a sump pump float switch can be replaced. Replacing the float switch makes most sense when the pump body is cast iron because a cast iron pump body will outlast a float switch life expectancy.
Float switch life expectancy is estimated to be around 3 to 5 years depending upon the float switch type and its usage. A 2-pole snap action float switch will last longer than a tether, magnetic draw and diaphragm switch.
Replacing a float switch on a cast iron sump pump is Eco-friendly. It makes no sense to discard a perfectly good motor and pump body. Float switches are easy to purchase online and easy to install.
Installation involves loosening a few screws from the old float switch and tightening a few screws to secure the new float switch. Check out these replacement switches
Can An Electronic Sump Pump Switch (The Recommended HC6000) Be Installed With My Existing Sump Pump?
Yes! Absolutely, the highly recommended Hydrocheck HC6000 Hi-Lo Electronic Float Switch can be install with your existing sump pump regardless of its existing float switch type. Any sump pump that uses less than 15 Amps can use the HC6000. Basically all sump pumps use less than 15 Amps, even a one horse power sump pump.
- To install with a tether float switch, zip tie the switch cord to the discharge pipe and plug the motor cord into the piggyback plug of the electronic HC6000 or HC8000T switch.
- To install with a magnetic draw float switch sump pump, just unplug the float switch from existing pump piggyback plug, zip tie it to the discharge pipe so it is out of the way and not used, then plug the pump motor cord into the HC6000 or HC8000T piggyback plug.
- To install with a snap action float switch sump pump, zip tie the float to the switch arm so it is in the ON position, then plug the pump motor cord into the HC6000 or HC8000T piggyback plug.
We highly recomnmend the Hydrocheck HC6000 Sump Pump Switch. We installed our HC6000 in 2011. It is still working without fail for 12 years already. It saves having to replace a switch so frequently. We prefer a dependable switch. The Hydrocheck HC6000 switch qualifies as the best sump pump switch.
- The HC6000 works with any sump pump that uses less than 15 Amps, which is basically all sump pumps regardless of their horse power.
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