The steps to adjust a pressure switch on a submersible well pump are not complicated, but it's critical for safety's sake that you confirm you have shut off the power to the switch before you attempt to adjust the switch. The switch adjustments are accessible after removing the cover to the pressure switch and are adjacent to the electrical wires that connect the switch to power. A miss of the wrench could result in an electrical shock that could be deadly if you try to adjust the switch with the power on. Turn the circuit breaker off or remove the fuse from the electrical panel the pressure switch is hooked to.
Instructions
1. Find the pressure switch on the water line between the submersible well pump and the pressure tank. It usually sits next to a pressure gauge that displays water pressure in the water line by pounds per square inch, if so equipped. The box sits above the water line and has a small castellated nut at the top of the box holding the cover in place. On the front or the inside of the cover you'll find specific setting adjustments for your pressure switch.
2. Remove the nut on the cover of the box with an adjustable wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Look at the contact points and two adjustment nuts. The small nut adjusts the cut-in pressure for the well pump. This means that when the pressure tank begins to drop when demand is placed on it, the switch sends a signal to the pump to kick on. Adjust the nut clockwise with the 1/2-inch wrench to increase the cut-in pressure setting and counterclockwise to decrease it.
3. Adjust the 7/16-inch nut clockwise with the appropriate wrench to increase to the cut-off setting for the well pump. This setting sends a signal to the pump to cut off when the tank is full and reaches the desired pressure level. To decrease this setting, adjust it counterclockwise. Replace the cover.
4. Check the pressure switch settings. To test your settings, turn the power back on to the circuit. Open a water valve near the tank, watch the pressure gauge and listen for the pump kicking on. Note the psi setting at which the pump kicks on. Close the valve and note when the well pump kicks off. Settings for pump cut-in and cut-off are generally 20 and 40, 30 and 50, or 40 and 60, respectively. If your settings are different, readjust until they fall within these ranges.
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