If the pumping station is often turned on or other unusual symptoms for the normal operation of the equipment are noticeable, you need to find and eliminate the cause of possible malfunctions. A timely corrected problem will prevent the occurrence of more serious breakdowns or a complete exit of the device from an operational state with the need to replace important components. In the article, we will consider the device of pumping stations, frequently occurring malfunctions in operation and the best ways to eliminate them.

How the equipment works

The task of the pumping station is to automatically supply water to the autonomous water distribution system of any room. A conventional pump will not provide a stable pressure required for the operation of some types of household appliances (dishwashers and washing machines, a hot water boiler), and to use water taps, you will have to constantly turn on / off the device in manual mode. The operation of the pumping station makes the operation of the water supply system as reliable as with a centralized supply of water with a stable pressure and an uninterrupted supply of it.

How can the equipment provide a stable water supply? The secret lies in the structure of the pumping station, which consists of the following main parts:

• vortex-type water pump driven by an electric motor;
• storage and pressure unit, consisting of a metal tank and a rubber water tank (pear);
• equipment operation control system, which includes a relay, a pressure sensor, a valve block.

Constant pressure is created by a storage-pressure unit, an uninterrupted autonomous water supply is provided by automation. Let's take a closer look at how pumping equipment functions. Knowing the principle of operation of a household water pump, it will be easier to understand why the pumping station is not functioning properly.

The principle of operation of a water pumping station

Before supplying water to the pipes of household plumbing, it must be pumped from somewhere. This task is entrusted to the water pump, which can be installed at the station itself or at the source of the water intake. These sources are usually:

• shallow wells;
• storage tanks.

In rare cases, pumping stations are connected to centralized water pipelines if the pressure in the water supply system is insufficient for the functioning of household appliances. The pump does not supply water immediately to the water distribution system, but indirectly through the storage tank.

The storage-pressure unit is divided by a rubber membrane (pear) into two sections, one of which is filled with water, the other with compressed air, which is pumped through a nipple mounted on the back of the metal tank. The turned on pump lifts the water from the water intake source, and it is directed into the rubber bulb until the pressure inside the membrane is equalized with the resistance of the compressed air. As soon as this happens, the relay associated with the pressure sensor is activated and the pump is turned off.

The valve system is designed so that water from the pump can only enter the storage tank. In the water supply system, the water is pushed out of the rubber membrane by the pressure of compressed air. When water is consumed, the pressure in the storage-pressure unit gradually drops and, at certain values ​​of it, the relay is triggered again, and the pump turned on again fills the pear. This is how the automatic control cycle of the pumping station takes place. Further, knowing the principle of functioning of domestic water-pumping equipment, we will analyze for whatever reason the pumping station does not turn off, or vice versa, it turns on too often to gain the required pressure.

The pump does not want to turn off - what to do?

If the pump does not turn off for a long time, this indicates that the pumping station is not gaining the pressure required for the relay to operate. There may be several reasons for this, namely:

• there is not enough pump power;
• there is no water in the cavity of the vortex pump;
• large leak in the water supply system.

Let's consider each of the above situations. In what cases does the pump fail to provide the required head? The reasons for this phenomenon are:

• installation of low-power equipment (the pump does not cope with the task in specific operating conditions);
• wear of the pump itself.

The first situation occurs when the power of the equipment is incorrectly calculated, when such an operating indicator as head does not correspond to real conditions. That is, the pump is weak, therefore it is not able to overcome the resistance of water (which must be lifted from a certain depth) and compressed air in the storage tank. This problem manifests itself immediately after the installation of the purchased station and the first attempts to start it. The issue of replacing equipment with more powerful ones is being resolved.

With prolonged operation of the water pump, one of the parts of the vortex pump may become unusable. Often this is an impeller that wears out and cannot provide the required water pressure. In this situation, the worn part or pump assembly must be replaced. For both cases, the presence of water in the water supply system will be characteristic, that is, the station pumps water, but its pressure is not enough for the relay to work.

A feature of a vortex pump is its inability to create pressure without the presence of water in its cavity. Before starting the newly installed pumping station, the cavity of the pumping device and the supply pipe must be completely filled with water through a special hole on the pump body (top), closed with a screw plug. If this is not done, the pump will run without interruption. To prevent water from leaving the water intake tank, a check valve must be installed at the end of the supply pipe.

Water for vortex pumps is not only an object of transportation, but also a cooler, therefore, it is impossible to leave the pump on for a long time if it is not full. This will lead to overheating and damage.

How can a situation arise with the lack of water in the pump cavity during operation? It's simple - the check valve stopped working, and the water left the supply pipe. It is necessary to replace the valve (if used for a long time) or inspect it. It is quite possible that a grain of sand or other small object has fallen between its body and the membrane, interfering with a tight abutment. To prevent this from happening, the valve is equipped with a strainer to prevent clogging. If the station does not turn off for a long time due to the lack of water in the pump, nothing will flow from the open water tap. In such a situation, turn off the equipment immediately and look for the cause.

Why doesn't the pumping station turn off? This happens with a volumetric water intake at points of consumption or with a significant pipeline break in the domestic water supply system. The pressure accumulated by the pump is constantly consumed, so the pumping device may not turn off for a long time. In such a situation, one should worry about the possibility of a breakthrough in communications. To determine the presence / absence of a leak, the valve closest to the station is closed on the outlet pipe. If after that the equipment began to work at normal intervals (it gained pressure and turned off), you need to urgently look for a breakthrough or simply someone forgotten an open tap.

The pressure device switches on more often than usual

Why does a working pumping station often turn on? The reason is simple - there is insufficient pressure in the air chamber of the storage tank. The lower the air pressure, the more often the pump is turned on and the period of its continuous operation is shortened. To make sure of this, a car pressure gauge is taken and the pressure is measured at the nipple mounted in the tank. In most models of pumping stations, the normal pressure is 1.5 bar. If, after testing on a pressure gauge, 0.5 Atm or 0.9 Atm, using a conventional automobile pump, air is pumped into the tank to the recommended value.

It is worse if, when monitoring the pressure in the air compartment of the tank, its complete absence is found. This may be due to air leakage through the rusted metal body of the tank, which may well happen after 3-4 years of operation, if the tank is made of ordinary rusting steel. The leak will be detected when trying to inflate the air chamber. In most cases, the tank cannot be repaired, so you will have to start replacing it.

Now new storage tanks are sold as a set (tank, membrane, connecting flange), so its replacement is not difficult. Disconnect the pump pipe nut from the old flange and loosen the two threaded fasteners connecting the tank to the top-mounted devices. The used reservoir is carefully removed, the new one is installed in its place. The fasteners are tightened, the branch pipe is connected to the new flange - the station is ready for operation.

What else can be connected with the frequent switching on of the equipment? This happens when a rubber bulb becomes unusable (breaks). It is very simple to diagnose such a breakdown - when you press the nipple, water flows out of it intensively. In such a situation, it is necessary to change the membrane. How to do it?

It is necessary to prepare containers (dishes) for draining the water (the tank is completely filled with liquid). First, the nut connecting the branch pipe with the flange is gradually loosened so that water begins to drain. When the liquid has completely drained from the inlet, the bolts connecting the flange to the tank body are unscrewed and the remaining contents of the tank are drained. Now you need to remove the used membrane, dry the tank as much as possible from the inside (if it is made of ordinary steel) and place a new pear in it. The flange is put in place, gradually being bolted to the body, the branch pipe is attached. The replacement of the rubber membrane is complete. It remains to pump air through the nipple to the previously indicated pressure and pour water into the pump cavity. You can turn it on.

The considered malfunctions of pumping stations are the most common, they can be easily eliminated by the owners of the equipment themselves. Malfunctions are also possible due to breakdowns of the automatic control system. This happens much less often and requires the intervention of a qualified technician. It is better not to touch relays and sensors on your own.

Why doesn't the pumping station pump water? This question is asked by many owners of equipment, which is often an integral part of the system for providing water to a country house from a well or a well.
One of the reasons for the unit's malfunctions is that the pumping station pumps water with air. How to get rid of this phenomenon is invited to learn from the article.

Pumping station device

The design of a classic station includes:

• Hydroaccumulator. This is an ordinary metal tank with a membrane inside. There is an air gap between them. The membrane or rubber jacket is crumpled in an empty tank. When it enters it under the pressure of water, it begins to straighten out.

The liquid goes into the membrane until the water pressure and the air pressure between the membrane and the body are equal.
A large tank is not required to prevent water hammer. But they are produced with their volumes of 50, 80, 100, and sometimes 500 liters.

Tip: When filling large containers, the pump runs much longer. A positive step in this design is that, having pumped water into the system and the tank, the pump may not turn on for a longer time.

The pump does not respond to short-term water intakes, which protects engine wear from frequent switching on and off:

• The electric motor is connected to the pump through a clutch, and according to the electrical circuit - with a pressure switch.
• Air bleed nipple.

• Collector.
• A dial gauge for visual control of the pressure level in the water supply network.
• Pressure switch used to automatically turn on / off the unit, which depends on the pressure in the accumulator.

The principle of operation of the equipment

During installation, a household pumping station is connected to the water supply system, and the suction line, at the end of which a water intake is mounted, is lowered into a well or well.

Tip: A membrane accumulator is installed inside the house, which is also connected to the water supply. The pump and the entire pipeline network are filled with water after starting the station, the pressure in it is brought to a predetermined value, and then it is turned off.

The control element, which can be a pressure switch or its automation, controls the operation of the pump motor.
These devices have different operating principles:

• The pump starts the pressure switch when its value in the system drops to a certain level, and when the maximum value is reached, it stops its operation.
• The pressure automation reacts in the pipeline to the movement of water.

The presence of an elastic air cushion that covers the rubber chamber with the liquid, the membrane tank is capable of performing two functions:

• It maintains the necessary pressure in the system for some time without the participation of the pump, which helps to reduce the number of motor starts when it operates in the most severe mode.
• Absorb water hammer that occurs at the time of starting the unit, thus preventing the destruction of pipeline parts and valves.

How to properly install a pumping station

Advice: For the installation of the suction line, preference should be given to plastic pipes with a certain rigidity, metal pipelines or hoses made of reinforced for vacuum, which will prevent their failure from the action, during suction, of vacuum compression.

The pump station installation manual offers:

• Plastic pipes or hoses (see) must not be kinked or kinked.
• All pipe connections must be well sealed. This is due to the negative effect that air leaks have on the operation of the equipment.
• Convenience of service of the pumping station will provide quick disconnect connections.
• To prevent the ingress of small mechanical particles of debris, a check valve with a mesh and a main filter are installed at the end of the suction pipe.
• The suction pipe is lowered with its end into the water from the minimum liquid level by at least 30 centimeters. The distance between the bottom of the container and the end of the suction pipe must be more than 20 centimeters.
• A non-return valve and a valve should be installed on the outlet pipe from the unit, which will help prevent water hammer when turning the device on / off.
• The pump station must be securely fixed in the desired position.
• Avoid a large number of pipe bends and use of valves in the system.
• Pipes with a large diameter can improve the operation of equipment for suction from a well with a depth of more than four meters or the presence of a horizontal section with a length of more than four meters.
• It is necessary that all the water is drained from all points of the system, due to its possible freezing in winter. To do this, it is necessary to install drain taps, and the check valves in the system should not interfere with the drainage of water.

The pump must be securely fixed in the system.
For this:

• It is installed on a level surface, in sufficient proximity to a water source.
• Ventilation must be provided in the pit or room where the equipment is located, which will reduce the temperature and humidity.
• At least 20 centimeters should be the distance from any wall to the pumping station, which will provide access to it during maintenance.
• The diameter of the pipes must be taken of the appropriate size.
• Holes are marked for fixing the equipment on the surface where it will be located.
• The absence of mechanical stresses and bends of the pipes is controlled, the fastening screws are tightened.

How to regulate the pressure in the system

If the pumping station does not pump water, then the pressure in it may be incorrectly adjusted.

Tip: The pressure switch settings should not be changed unless absolutely necessary.

The pressure switch is shown in the photo, by which you can navigate how to pump air into the pumping station.

The order of work is as follows:

• The equipment is disconnected.
• All the liquid from the accumulator is drained.
• The air pressure in the tank is regulated through a nipple using a car pump with a pressure gauge or compressor. In this case, the pressure value must be at least 90% of that required to turn on the equipment.
• Before pumping air into the pumping station, the cover on the pressure switch is removed. To do this, the plastic screw is unscrewed and the tightening force of the corresponding springs of the assembly changes.
  By turning nut P, ​​the pressure is adjusted to turn on the pump - its lower value. Turning the nut clockwise increases the pressure, while turning it anti-decreases.
  Turning the ΔP nut regulates the operating pressure range between its upper and lower values. You can expand this range by rotating the element clockwise, and narrow it counterclockwise.
• After the adjustment made, the station is connected to the mains, after pouring water into it. The pressure readings are monitored by the pressure gauge.

Advice: It is necessary to ensure that the value of the upper working pressure does not exceed 95% of its maximum possible at the outlet of the pumping station, which is indicated in the technical characteristics of the device. Otherwise, the electric pump will not turn off, which will lead to its rapid deterioration, and the price of the unit is quite high.

• It is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance of the station accumulator. The liquid constantly contains some dissolved air, which gradually reduces the volume of the rubber membrane in the tank.
  On their large capacity, special valves are built through which air is released. Before pumping a pumping station with a small accumulator, you must:

1. de-energize the pump and remove all water from the tank using a special tap or the one closest to the device;
2. this procedure must be carried out up to three times in a row.

You need to remove water from the membrane with your own hands at least once every two months. How to pump water into a pumping station is well shown in the video in this article.
Timely implementation of preventive measures, control of the pressure switch in the system contributes to the long-term operation of the pumping station.

Do-it-yourself repair of pumping stations is an excellent way to save money when independently providing water to your site or a country house. The use of such equipment makes it possible to provide the required pressure in the water supply system by automatically turning off and on the pump, as the water is used.
But like all metal parts, station elements are subject to corrosion, which contributes to their failure and requires replacement of elements. How do-it-yourself repair of pumping stations is carried out is invited to learn from the article.

How the pumping station works and works

In the picture position:

• 1 - support for fixing the line;
• 2 - crane;
• 3 - check valve;
• 4 - pressure control relay;
• 5 - a place for pouring water;
• 6 - feeding part of the system;
• 7 - pump;
• 8 - filter for cleaning the line;
• 9 - water suction line;
• 10 - pumped storage tank;
• 11 - water for feeding into the system;
• 12 - backflow valve, with a safety net;
• 13 - cover for closing the nipple;
• 14 - drain hole for water.

Before repairing, you need to at least briefly get acquainted with the device and the principle of operation of the system, the purpose of its constituent elements.
The main components of the equipment:

• Centrifugal surface pump for the station. It consists of an asynchronous single-phase motor and a pumping element.
• The accumulator includes: a steel reservoir and a replaceable membrane made of EPDM food grade rubber. A nipple is built into the accumulator, which serves to pump air under high pressure into the device.
• Visual control of pressure is provided by a pressure gauge in the water supply system.
• The pressure switch monitors its upper and lower values, when they are reached, the pump turns off and on.
• The pumping station is connected to the mains through a cable with a plug with a built-in grounding contact and sockets with the same contact.

The instruction indicates the approximate order of operation of the equipment:

• After installing and connecting the equipment, water fills the hydraulic accumulator and the entire water supply system.
• After reaching the highest limit in the water pressure system, the electric pump is turned off.
• The water tap opens, at the first moment water begins to be consumed from the accumulator.
• As the water consumption increases, the pressure in the system begins to drop to the lower limit to which its relay is set, then the electric pump turns on again.
• Water begins to flow to the consumer and at the same time to fill the accumulator.
• When the fluid pressure reaches the upper limit that the pressure switch is set to, the system shuts down again.
• The cycles of switching off and switching on the device are repeated until the water is drawn from the system.

Tip: To adjust the operation of the equipment, you need to use a check valve on the suction line, on which a coarse water filter is located.

How to install a pumping station

Tip: On the suction line, it is better to use plastic pipes with a certain stiffness, metal pipes or vacuum-reinforced hoses to prevent them from failing from vacuum compression during suction.

When installing the pumping station, you must pay attention to:

• When using plastic pipes or hoses (see), there were no bending or twisting.
• All pipe connections were well sealed. This is due to the fact that air leaks have a negative effect on the operation of the equipment.
• Quick disconnect couplings were used, which will provide convenience when servicing the pumping station.
• The suction pipe had a check valve with a mesh at the end during suction from the well and a main filter installed in front of the pumping station to prevent the ingress of small mechanical particles.
• The suction pipe with its end was lowered into the water at least 30 centimeters from the minimum liquid level. The distance between the bottom of the tank and the end of the suction pipe must be more than 20 centimeters.
• A check valve was installed on the pipe outlet from the pump, which will help prevent water hammer when the device is turned on / off, and a crane.
• The pumping station was securely fixed in a fixed position.
• There weren't a lot of kinks and taps in the system.
• For suction from a depth of more than four meters, or if there is a horizontal section with a length of more than four meters, pipes with a larger diameter were used, which will improve the performance of the equipment.
• Ensure that water is drained from all points of the system in case of possible freezing in winter. In this case, it is necessary to provide for the presence of drain taps, the check valves in the system should not impede the drainage of water.

The pump must be securely fixed in the system.
For this:

• The unit is installed on a level surface, as close as possible to the water source.
• In the room or pit where the pumping station is located, it is necessary to provide ventilation, which will help to reduce the humidity and air temperature.
• The distance from the walls to the pumping station should be at least 20 centimeters, which will provide access to the pumping station during its maintenance.
• Pipes must be of the appropriate diameter.
• Holes are outlined for fixing the pumping station on the surface where it will be mounted. Holes are drilled for mounting the pump.
• The absence of mechanical stress or bends in the pipes is checked, the fastening screws are tightened.

Reasons for the breakdown of the station and its repair

The photo shows the elements that make up the pumping station. The table shows the main causes of breakdowns in the pumping station and do-it-yourself methods for eliminating them.

Cause of breakdowns	Remedy
Engine does not work
There is no supply voltage. The fuse is out of order. The impeller is stuck.	The electrical circuit for connecting the station is being checked. The pump is being cleaned. The fan impeller turns, if it does not turn, the engine is jammed. Until the problem is eliminated, the motor cannot be turned on. The safety of the pressure switch contacts is checked. The capacitor pos. 1034. Advice: Before starting the repair of the pump, it is necessary to completely drain the water, disconnect all devices: expansion tank, pressure gauge, pressure switch and others.
There is no water in the device. The suction height does not exceed 7 meters. Pulls air into the suction line. Valve clogged.	Fill the unit with water. Reduce the suction lift. Remove suction in the suction pipe. Clean the valve.
The engine speed is low, the voltage drop in the network is large. Increased resistance in the discharge nozzle, the pipeline is clogged or has sharp bends.	Adjust the stability of the mains voltage. Make less resistance or take a new pipeline. If the hydrophore is faulty, it is necessary to replace the diffuser pos. 1007 and guide.
The station does not pump water when the engine is running
There is no water in the pump of the station. Air has entered the suction port. The supply or suction line is clogged. The equipment runs dry.	The position of the water level is checked. All gaps in the pipeline are eliminated. The suction line is cleaned. With a long horizontal pipeline, an air lock may have formed in the middle of the pipe. It is necessary to fill the entire pipeline with water, preferably under pressure, to eliminate the air lock. Tip: To exclude this, the horizontal part of the pipe should be at a slight slope in the direction of the water intake. The reasons for the equipment operation "dry" are eliminated
Insufficient water supply
Air is trapped. The pump is clogged. Clogged pipeline.	The pump and pipelines are being cleaned. Clearances are eliminated. Even the smallest air leak is removed. Corrosion-damaged inlet piping must be replaced.
Too often the station turns off and on again
The diaphragm of the expansion tank is damaged. There is no compressed air in the expansion vessel or the pressure is too low. The non-return valve has opened due to blockage by a foreign object.	Replace the diaphragm or expansion tank. Remove a crack in the tank body that may have appeared due to corrosion. Pump air into the expansion tank and check the pressure with a pressure gauge. Unblock the non-return valve.
The station cannot create a nominal pressure
Pressure switch setting too low. Flow line blocked or. Air has entered the suction line.	Adjustable by pressure switch. If the inlet of the pressure switch is clogged, it must be cleaned. The power is cut off, the pump or the supply pipeline is dismantled and cleaned. The tightness of the connections located on the suction pipe is checked. The suction line is checked for elbows or reverse angles.
The station works and does not turn off
The pressure switch is set to a very high pressure	Adjustable by pressure switch

If there is a pumping station on the site, it is not possible to do it yourself repairs, you need to contact a specialized workshop. If an automatic pumping station is used on the site, it is better to provide repair and maintenance to specialists.

What are the advantages of automatic pumping stations

The advantage of such equipment is that the pump automatically turns on itself and pumps water. It is enough just once to correctly install such a unit and the problem with the delivery of water will be solved.
The water itself will flow through the previously laid pipes. When the water level drops, the pump will stop working and the automatic pumping station will turn on.
The main characteristic of such equipment is high power, high productivity, the height of the water intake, the volume of the storage tank. How automatic pumping stations are mounted, the repair of equipment components is well shown in the video in this article.

The private sector is characterized by the presence of individual sources of water supply, which means that a pumping station is a mandatory attribute in this communication. The equipment is designed for high-quality lifting of water from a well and transporting it through water supply pipes. But what if the pumping station does not build up pressure and does not supply water to the pipeline? You will have to figure it out step by step in order to find out what are the reasons for such a failure (why it happens) and eliminate them.

For those who do not quite understand why it is so important that pump-type water equipment gains a certain pressure, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of the station and its structure. Thanks to this knowledge, it will be much easier to carry out repair work and eliminate the causes of possible breakdown on your own.

So, the main actor in the work of the water supply station is the pump itself. It is he who is designed to raise water and supply it to the system. But the pump is a powerful unit, but quite sensitive. Its operation is based on constant engine switching on / off, which can adversely affect the service life of the mechanism. That is, the pump will fail faster due to engine burnout. To prevent this from happening, a lot of people equip the pump with a hydraulic tank, and this is already a water station.

The hydraulic tank (also called a hydraulic accumulator) is already responsible for the pressure in the system, creates its specified limits and controls the operation of the pump. In addition, it acts as a storage tank for water. That is, first the pump pumps water into the tank. After that, water is supplied to the pipes when the taps are opened from the reservoir. The pump is resting at this time. As soon as the pressure in the tank drops (namely, the water runs out), the pressure switch is triggered, which activates the pump. Water is taken from the well until the accumulator is completely filled. The cycle repeats over and over again. And if the pump does not turn off, then there is no required pressure in the system. It is necessary to find out why.

Important: the indicators of the working pressure of the lower and upper limits on the relay are marked with the symbols P1 and P2, respectively.

Reasons for station malfunction

But it so happens that the water station for water supply does not turn off. That is, water simply enters the tank, but there is no upper pressure. Accordingly, the pump does not turn off. It is not only possible to deal with such a situation with your own hands, but it is also necessary. And for this we will consider the main reasons for the breakdown (why this happens):

• Pump motor power too low... Here, either the required capacity of the equipment was initially incorrectly calculated, or during the operation of the water supply system, changes were made in communications. For example, a water mirror went down or the configuration of the pipeline at the site was changed.

Important: to determine the pump power, always before buying, you need to take into account the depth of the water mirror in the well, the diameter of the pipes, the number of people living in the house and the purpose for which the water will be consumed. When buying, it is advisable to choose pump models whose engine power slightly exceeds the required one.

• Insufficient voltage in the network... This situation is especially common in villages far from the city. In this case, the pump simply cannot develop the pressure indicated in the passport. This means that the pressure in the system will not rise. That is, the unit seems to be working, it seems to pump water, but does not turn off. It is worth checking the output voltage in the network and the engine power according to the passport. For example, the pump motor is designed for a voltage of 220, and only 205 watts are supplied to the network. Accordingly, the unit does not pump water at a given pressure and from this does not contribute to the rise in pressure in the system. Either installing a good stabilizer will help here, or changing the pump to a more powerful model.
• Incorrectly set pressure switch... This small element controls the operation of the water station, regulating the lower and upper pressure limits in the tank. Most likely, the upper limit is set incorrectly. In order to lower the threshold P2 (upper pressure), you need to slightly unscrew the nut of the smaller spring. The indicator will decrease and the station will turn off in time.

Important: The large spring nut simply lowers both pressure limits while maintaining the range between them.

• It is possible that the reason for the uninterrupted operation of the water supply station is the wear of the pump mechanism parts. This option is especially relevant for centrifugal pumps. Since the impeller of such units works at high speed, passing water through itself, then fine particles of sand and other inclusions in the water also pass through the impeller blades. At this point, they work on the principle of sandpaper, abrading the pump elements. Accordingly, the pumping mechanism of the water station gets loose and breaks down. That is, the pump works, but does not supply water in the specified volumes to the hydraulic tank. Accordingly, there is no upper pressure threshold in the accumulator. In this case, you will either have to replace the entire pressure wheel in the pump, or buy a new unit. And to prevent this from happening, it is better to buy pumping equipment with a special filter insert in the working chamber. Especially if the water contains sand or clay impurities.
• Leaking pipeline.

This reason for the malfunction of the water station is one of the most common. Moreover, the place is more often a latent leak. That is, the pump works, pumping water, and does not supply it to the hydraulic tank in full. Somewhere water is leaking from the system. It is from this that there is no required upper pressure limit in the hydraulic tank. To identify the problem, it is necessary to carefully examine the water supply network, from the borehole water supply pipe to the hydraulic tank itself. If even the slightest drop is found, the section of the pipeline must be replaced. If a leak is found in the place of the threaded connection, it is necessary to strengthen the seal in this place. A good solution is the Tangit Unilok sanitary seal. Even in the case of "busting" the material, it shrinks and does not damage the thread.

• Leaking check valve... Here, the water simply flows back into the water supply system, preventing the pump from reaching the P2 mark. That is, there is no upper required pressure in the water supply system, and the pump does not turn off. A clear sign of such a malfunction is the spontaneous activation of the pump at night, when no one is using the water station. As a rule, a check valve fails due to dirt accumulated in it. You need to either clean (flush) the non-return valve, or completely replace it.
• Burst of the elastic element in the accumulator... That is, the rupture of the membrane responsible for filling the tank and adjusting the pressure in the water supply system. In this case, the pump works, almost reaching the upper pressure mark, and immediately turns off. But as soon as you open the water in the tap, the water supply station works again. In this case, it is necessary to check the spool through which air is supplied to the accumulator. It is enough to press on its pin and observe it. If water begins to come out through it, then the tank membrane is torn and you need to change it. Or change the entire accumulator. If it is dry near the spool when pressing the pin, you should pay attention to the air pressure in the tank. Its indicator should be below the P1 mark (lower pressure) by 10% (approximately 1.5 atm.). If the indicator is lower, then you can simply pump air with a simple pump.

Self-priming pump: station pressure problems

For the operation of the water supply system at a shallow depth of the well, self-priming types of pumps are most often used. In this case, the reasons for the drop in pressure in the hydraulic tank and water supply can lie in the airing of the impeller and the working line of the unit. Air entering the pump system can be caused by:

Falling water level in the well. If this happened, then, most likely, the pump hose took a sip of air and fed it into the water supply system. To remedy the situation, it is necessary to check the level of the water mirror and lower the hose deeper if necessary.

The seal between the inlet pipe of the pumping equipment and the intake hose is depressurized. Here it is imperative to tighten the nuts or reinforce the gasket.

It is also possible that the pump during the start-up phase was filled not only with water, but also with air. In this case, the reliable operation of the pump is not solid, and you will have to restart the equipment with a new water filling. Sometimes it is necessary to squeeze the air lock out of the pump. To do this, a tee is connected to the suction line of the pump and water is poured into it from a tank installed much above ground level. In this case, the pump must be switched on.

Thus, we have cited the most frequent causes of failures in the operation of the water station, namely, the inability to reach the upper working pressure in the tank chamber. Knowing these nuances of the station operation, you will be able to fix the breakdown yourself or at least identify the cause of the failure. And this is already half of the savings in the family budget. After all, you never know what the cause of the breakdown will be announced to you in the service center! No, no, yes, and tell the master the true reason for the failure of your pump or hydraulic tank.

Sometimes the happy owners of a well and autonomous water supply of a country house are faced with a problem when water stops flowing from the tap in the house. There can be many reasons why the pump does not pump water from the source. To get rid of this problem, you need to find and eliminate the cause. In our article, we will describe the most common reasons why a pump may not pump water out of a hydraulic structure. In addition, we will give recommendations on how to eliminate them.

For proper and uninterrupted operation of pumping equipment, two important components are required - water and electricity. If you identify an element that does not allow the unit to work, it will be easier to find the cause.

In order for a well or other hydraulic structure to supply water uninterruptedly, 4 conditions must be met:

• The source must have water that can be pumped.
• Correct power supply of pumping equipment (frequency and voltage must correspond to the parameters for which the unit is designed).
• The pump must be in good working order, that is, its power and productivity must be within the normal range.
• All taps, filters, valves and pipelines must be in working order.

Since the water supply system can be used not only for the home, but also for watering the garden, the problem must be looked for in three directions:

• in a hydraulic structure;
• inside the house;
• in the ground.

But it is necessary to act by the method of elimination. First, disconnect the supply hose in the caisson. If the liquid flows, then the problem lies in the house or on the main pipeline in the trench. If the water does not flow, then the problem should be looked for below the ground level in the well or equipment.

If the pumping unit hums, but the liquid does not pump, then the problem may be as follows:

1. An error was made during the installation process, at the stage of selecting components or during operation.
2. Sometimes this happens due to power surges or a significant decrease in the amount of water in the source.
3. A phase loss may occur in the internal structure of the electric motor.

Advice: if a previously properly operating unit does not pump water, then the reason should be sought in the absence of water or electricity. With new, previously unused equipment, things will be more complicated. Here the reason can lie anywhere.

Common cause

If your pumping equipment buzzes, as during operation, but does not pump water from the well, then the reasons may be associated with mechanical damage or clogging of the hydraulic structure. First, try to remember what kind of water came from the tap on the eve of the breakdown.

If a turbid liquid flowed from the tap or the pressure suddenly began to decrease during the standard operating mode of the pumping equipment, then the trouble most likely lies in the well itself. This happens if a hydraulic structure is silted up or clogged up. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as borehole sanding. And it can be called by:

• small algae that live in the water;
• solid impurities carried by the current;
• shedding of rock from the walls of the tunnel;
• sand raised from the bottom of the well by pumping equipment.

All of these components can clog the lumen of a hydraulic structure. As a result, muddy water with sand will first go from the tap, then with air, and then the flow will stop altogether. In this case, the protection against running "dry" in your pumping equipment may not work.

To fix the problem, you need:

1. Pull the submersible pump out of the well.
2. All water from the hydraulic structure is pumped out.
3. The internal space is disinfected.
4. The water is pumped out again. The time for re-pumping depends on the disinfectant used.

After cleaning the well, the pump should start working. But even if this did not happen, you should not hang your nose, because cleaning the hydraulic structure will benefit the quality of the water and the durability of the source.

What to do next?

If the well cleaning did not help, then the following situations may be the causes of the malfunction:

• failure of mechanical parts of pumping equipment;
• breakdown in the power supply system;
• violation of the tightness and integrity of the main pipeline;
• malfunction of one or more pump control units.

But in order to understand exactly what is the reason, the submersible unit must be raised to the surface from the well. Then the pump is lowered into a container of sufficient size, filled with water, and started:

1. If the motor starts to work when starting, it means that there are no breakdowns in the electrical system. Otherwise, such malfunctions can be suspected. But the search and elimination of the causes of the breakdown of the electrical system should be carried out by an experienced specialist.
2. A running motor is worth watching. In doing so, try to visually assess the integrity of all pipelines and hoses. Sometimes the pump does not raise water well due to the fact that the tightness of the hoses is broken, and the pressure in the system has dropped.
3. But you may not immediately notice the leak, especially if the damage is very small. To make such places more noticeable, the outlet on the hose must be closed with your hand. Then the pressure in the pipeline will increase, and jets of gushing water will appear in the places of depressurization.

Important: it is better not to glue the damaged hose, but to purchase and replace it with a new one. The thing is that, due to the strong pressure, the patches can come off.

If the unit works, but does not pump water

Let's say there are no electrical or hose integrity issues, but the water pump is still not pumping fluid from the well. It remains only in the pumping equipment itself to look for an answer to the question why the device does not pump water. To do this, you can do the following:

1. First you need to check the filtering device and the non-return valve. They can be clogged and will need to be cleaned. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace these products or one of them with a new element due to the complete wear of the old part.
2. The second unit to be checked in the BC (household centrifugal) pump is the protection against "dry running". The sensor could simply burn out, so the unit began to work in the well without water. This quickly leads to overheating of the electric motor and failure. It is better not to repair such equipment, but to replace it with a new product. So it will be more reliable and safer to operate the unit in the future.

Common malfunctions

Most often, well owners are faced with a problem when the submersible pump previously worked properly and pumped water, but suddenly the water from the tap stopped flowing. We will list the possible malfunctions that led to such a situation, and also tell you what to do:

1. Significant decrease in water level in a hydraulic structure... In this case, the water at first runs normally, then it flows weakly and the flow stops altogether. In this case, equipment with a thermal relay or float mechanism will automatically shut down. Dry-running protection can also be triggered. Usually, such a problem is observed during the summer period during a drought, if mistakes are made when digging a well, a well, or their performance is incorrectly determined. Solution:
   • always use protection against running "dry", so you will keep the pump in good condition;
   • it is better to drill a well or well in winter, when the groundwater is at the lowest point, then in summer the level will not drop critically;
   • for drilling, contact only professionals;
   • the well may need to be cleaned.

1. The capacity of the pumping unit is higher than the debit of the hydraulic structure... In other words, the source does not have time to fill with water, and the pump quickly pumps it out. In this situation, the same happens as in the case of dry work. The sensors will work and turn off the pump. This can happen if the pumping equipment is incorrectly selected, many points of water intake are open and at the same time the garden is being watered. To fix the problem you need:
   • choose the right pump based on the performance of the well and equipment;
   • when choosing, take into account the peak hours of water consumption;
   • do not open all the taps in the house at the same time;
   • the power reserve of the motor should be small.

1. Weak pressure does not allow to raise water from the source... This can also happen with the wrong choice of equipment. For example, if you purchase a device with a maximum pressure of 30 m for a well with a depth of 50 m, then it simply will not be able to raise water to the surface. In this case, you will hear the sound of the unit running until the thermal relay turns off the power. To fix the problem, you need to choose the right pump.

Advice: when selecting a unit by pressure, it is worth considering the horizontal sections of the pipeline. At the same time, they are counted in a ratio of 5 to 1, that is, 5 meters of the horizontal are equated to 1 meter of the vertical.

1. Undervoltage... Many pumps are very sensitive to line voltage fluctuations. When it drops below 200V, the submersible unit may either not turn on at all, or start up, but sharply reduce the pressure and then stop the water supply. Measuring instruments will be needed to detect the problem. To eliminate, you can do the following:
   • connect the pump to the generator;
   • use a voltage stabilizer or autotransformer.

1. Clogged piping, valves or filtering device on pumping equipment... This is often seen during initial start-up or after servicing, causing debris, dust and dirt to enter the pipes and clog the listed parts. Sometimes this happens due to the ingress of debris from the bottom of a hydraulic structure. To deal with the problem it is worth:
   • be careful when assembling new equipment or performing maintenance;
   • raise the pumping equipment to the surface and rinse it; for this, the unit must operate in a container with water with the non-return valve removed and without piping.

1. Disconnected or damaged piping... In this case, the bubbling of water will be heard from the source. It is necessary to check the connection and the integrity of the hose.
2. Complete failure of pumping equipment... If the sound of a running motor is heard, but you did not find other reasons, then we can assume malfunctions with the mechanical parts of the pump. It remains to lift the unit to the surface and carry it to the service center.