Typical Panel _Pump Problems by Zoeller Engineered Products

TYPICAL PANEL / PUMP PROBLEMS
PROBLEM	SOURCE OF PROBLEM
1) PANEL OVERLOAD TRIPS	Low or incorrect voltage Heaters not properly adjusted Impeller blocked or bound Impeller rotating in wrong direction ( 3 phase) Motor overheating Undersized wire in branch circuit Missing leg in 3 phase power circuit
2) PUMP SHORT CYCLING	Float switches out of adjustment Check valve not closing when pump stops Undersized basin or pump Pump overload problem Motor winding problem
3) START CAPACITOR BLOWS (Single phase )	Improper connections in starting circuit Defective or malfunctioning start relay Voltage to low Capacitors undersized Undersized wire in branch circuit Not enough head in the system Short-cycling pump Distance between pump & panel is to far
4) PUMP RUNS IN MANUAL MODE ONLY	Defective float switch #1 or #2 Float switch #1 out of adjustment Defective alternator board or relay Loose wire causes an open circuit Junction box float switch connections incorrect
5) PUMP WILL NOT OPERATE IN MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC MODE	No control power Defective transformer Open fuse or circuit breaker Overload heater tripped and not re-set Bad motor contactor Malfunctioning start capacitor ( single phase) Pump not connected properly Wrong voltage Defective pump cable or motor Junction box pump connections incorrect
6) BLOWN FUSE OR OPEN CIRCUIT BREAKER	Short to ground in panel Defective relay or shorted contactor coil Moisture in panel Bad wire in branch circuit Grounded power cord Moisture has entered the pump housing Grounded motor
7) ONLY ONE PUMP CYCLES IN A DUPLEX SYSTEM	Defective switch or relay in alternator circuit Defective motor contactor Overload , fuse, or breaker open Inoperable lag (#3) float switch Pump selector switch in off position Defective pump motor
8) ALARM ACTIVATES ON A REGULAR BASIS	Alarm float out of adjustment Undersized pumps Impeller turning in wrong direction (3 phase) Mal-functioning pump in a 3-float duplex system System is air-locking
9) INCONSISTENT PUMP OPERATION	Impeller is getting bound System is air-locking Impeller rotating in wrong direction (3 ph) Malfunctioning starting circuit (single phase) Defective motor starter Motor windings deteriorating