Installing a well water submersible pump can be hazardous, especially with electricity and water. It is advisable to hire a professional technician or plumber to help with the installation. However, suppose you insist on conducting the installation yourself. In that case, you should know what you are getting into, how to do, and ensure your safety. Follow this step-by-step guide for the easy and safe installation of your well water submersible pump.
How to Install a Well Water Submersible Pump - 10 Easy Tips
1. Inspect the Well
Check for the depths of the well, and how you plan on getting inside. Assess the well for any visible signs of external damage. When checking the depth of the well, you should consider the length from the well’s bottom to the water level. You should also consider the length from the bottom of the well to the ground. You should note that the pump should be submerged totally.
If you notice any damages on the well, you should fix them before proceeding. You can check the depth of the well on your own or ask someone to assist. Also, in some instances, you may need to increase the depth of your well if you are sure the one you have is not adequate.
2. Examine Your Supplied Components
Once you have acquired your well water submersible pump, you should assess its components carefully. Check the information, including the power supply rating. You should also check to see if it is either a two or three-wire single phase. Check if the pump motor requires a starter box or a 3-phase configuration.
Ensure the pump’s drop cable matches the motor and the motor cable. It should be rated for submersion accordingly. Check to guarantee that the fittings match the rising main, outlet, and the bore cap. Assessing the components will prevent cases of regular mechanical breakdowns. Purchasing quality items will guarantee you the durability of the products.
3. Attach the Motor to Pump
While attaching the motor, ensure you are using supplied grease to seal and lubricate the shaft on assembly. The motor should be the correct fit for the pump. The recurring twisting force resulted by the motor will twist the pitting tighter with time. It will lead to the wires wrapping thus breaking. It is a common problem that can be rectified using a torque arrestor.
The device is primarily a rubber clamped above the pump to keep it steady. It ensures the wires are secured from harm and minimizes chances of difficulties while operating the pump. Lay poly pipes or flat fitting while screwing the pump for efficiency.
4. Attach Your Drop Cable to the Motor Cable
Splice the drop cable to the motor, ensuring that it is watertight. You should follow the guidelines supplied with the kit carefully. The splice is typically either commercially or created by heat contracting the splicing kit.
You should know how to make black polyethylene pipes watertight since they are majorly used in well systems. Heat the pipes using a propane torch. It will soften the pipes before you clamp them with screws. The whole process will guarantee a waterproof system which is beneficial since you are dealing with a submersible well water pump. It would be best if you considered stainless steel clamps.
5. Assemble the Pump
Assemble your water pump next to the well. If you do it at a different location, you risk losing parts while transporting it for installation. Fit the pump to the rising main and then attach the bore cap to the other side of the rising main. Take your time to assemble the pump to ensure all parts are in place and also for durability.
6. Roll Out the Rising Main
Link the stainless steel safety wires to your pump. Roll out the drop cable and the rising main together with the attached cables simultaneously. Check to confirm that the safety cable is linked to the bore cap end, allowing the rising main adequate stretching room.
7. Link Your Drop Cable with Rising Main
For this part, ensure you use four or five layers of duct tape to link the drop cable to rising main every four or five meters apart. Zip ties are a perfect alternative. Most importantly, there you should be sufficient room for the rising main to stretch and extend. Tape the whole cable splice to the rising main to secure it safely.
Ensure you tape two extra cable meters under the bore cap. It will help you in the future if you ever need to replace the cable splice or the motor.
8. Assess cables and Fittings and Begin Lowering
Confirm that the fittings are tight enough and that the cables are secured. Start lowering the pump gently if the weight is comfortable and manageable for you. It is advisable to get help from someone while lowering. The other person should support the bore cap end to prevent damages.
Pay keen attention to the electric drop cable while lowering the pump. It should be secured to prevent damage. Firmly suspend the whole assembly above the casing by the bore cap. The lowering process should be gentle since careless handling will lead to damage of the entire pump system.
9. Using Support if the Pump is Too Heavy
If the entire assembly is too heavy, you can use roller improvised from a car wheel. To do this, you need to link the bore cap to the vehicle using a sling plus a "D" shackle. Station the roller above the well and the car to allow for easy lowering of the pump.
Drive the vehicle towards the well while avoiding damages. You can also lower the last couple of meters by hand.
10. Connect Pump to Power and Test
Connect the pump protection device, pump controller, and pump starter to a power source. Turn the power supply test to check if the pump works well. Allow a few minutes for the water to rise to the surface.
After testing, go ahead and connect the pipework to the bore cap, and test to see if everything is working correctly.
Conclusion
While installing your machine may seem like a complicated process, following this 10-step guide on how to install a well water submersible pump will make it easier for you. Ensure your safety and that of the pump to avoid injury to yourself and damage to the pump.