| No sump pump system can work without a sump | | | | There are other setups that are fitted with two |
| pump switch. This simple but very useful | | | | float switches: one is attached to the pump and |
| mechanical device, which usually comes with a | | | | the other, which is preset at a higher level, |
| floater, is fabricated to trigger your sump pump | | | | activates an alarm. This type of installation warns |
| into action when the water in the sump pit | | | | the owner of the house of an impending |
| reaches a certain level. The switch is able to | | | | basement disaster when the sump pump fails and |
| detect it because of the floater. | | | | does not pump water on the signal of the first |
| The sump pump switch comes in several types. | | | | floater. The second floater is usually set at about |
| Most installations use a microswitch that is | | | | two inches higher than the first, so the owner has |
| attached to a rod, to which, in turn, the floater is | | | | enough time to act before it floods. |
| attached. This type is called the vertical switch. | | | | While sump pump float switches operate in a |
| When the water level in the pit rises, the floater | | | | simple way and are easy to install and replace, |
| rises with it, lifting the rod with it. This action turns | | | | they are not fail safe. Sometimes, the system |
| off the electric circuit and signals the motor to | | | | fails because of a simple yet undetected switch |
| start pumping out water. When the water level | | | | problem, such as it getting stuck and restricted |
| goes back down, the floater and the rod sinks, | | | | from moving freely with the water level, or the |
| signaling the motor to stop pumping. | | | | switch being "fooled" by debris and deposits that |
| Another type of switch is called the wide angle | | | | have accumulated in the sump pit bottom. |
| float switch. This type uses a cord attached to | | | | Sometimes, sump switches simply stop working, |
| the floater to turn on the switch. As the water | | | | causing the motor to continue running until it's |
| level rises, the floater rises until the cord is tight | | | | worn out. Extra care should be taken when |
| enough to pull the switch. | | | | monitoring the condition of the switches to make |
| Some switches are designed to activate on two | | | | sure the entire system is efficiently working. |
| stages: the first stage activates the pump while | | | | Unfortunately, while its simple design works to its |
| the second stage, which occurs when the water | | | | advantage, float switches are not repairable most |
| doesn't stop seeping into the sump pit, sets off | | | | of the time. The only way to address problems is |
| an alarm or a back-up sump pump. | | | | to replace the sump pump switch altogether. |