Pump Tripping

Why Is My Pump Tripping?

“Why is my pump tripping” is a question our engineers are often asked. This call out was from a property manager who wanted a professional review of the booster pump in the basement of a Victorian town house. The pump – now discontinued, was old and had not been serviced regularly.

Our engineers visited the site, and found that the main water tank was filling at a good rate, but the backup cut off float was low.  Float switches can be used as a protection device for booster sets, being installed inside a break tank as a low level protection switch. Low water level(dry running) draws more current, which in turns heat up the pump, triggering the thermal overload protection and tripping the pump. Our engineers also identified that the pressure release valve had worn out over time. This can cause a pressure relay problem that can make your system overdraw amperage which in turn will trip your breaker. Our engineers serviced the pump, reset the float switch, and replaced the pressure release valve, leaving the pump in good working order.

 

Issue: Pump Tripping
Pump: Duocompact Grundfos Pump – Constant Pressure Booster System
Solution: Adjusted float switch, replaced pressure release valve

 

Pump Specification:

CHI 4-60 A-W-G-BUBV

Pump Features:

• Horizontal, multi-stage, non-self-priming, centrifugal pump with axial suction port and radial discharge port.
• The compact unit has mechanical shaft seal according to EN 12756 and through-going motor/pump shaft.
• Pump and motor are mounted on a common baseplate and all pump components in contact with the pumped liquid are made of stainless steel.
• The motor is a 1-phase motor.

Pressure Release Valve

The Honeywell D06F protects domestic, commercial and industrial applications against excessive water supply pressure. It reduces both water consumption and noise from water hammer, while minimising over pressure damage. The set outlet pressure can be maintained even when there are wide inlet pressure fluctuations.

Common Reasons Your Pump Is Tripping

The are a number of reasons the motor to your pump cuts out (trips):

• Moisture –  If there is a leak or crack moisture can get through the pump motor coil and may result in a short circuit which will trip the breaker.
• Improper wiring or loose, corroded connections – As wiring degrades it may not be able to hold the current, this can lead to a power leakage and cause the motor to short.
• Faulty pressure switch – If the contacts are damaged, it can cause a pressure relay problem that can make your system overdraw amperage that can trip your breaker.
• Blocked pump – When a pump is blocked is has to work harder, this draws too much power and can short the motor.
• Dirt in motor – An excessive amount of dirt infiltering the motor can make the pump have to work harder, which in turn will overheat the engine and lead to the motor cutting out.
• Failed pump bearings – As bearings age and rust it makes the pumps motor work harder to spin.  This can overload the motor causes it to cut out.
• Underrated breaker – An underrated breaker can result in motor overload which will lead to your pump tripping.
• Deteriorated motor winding – Wear and tear over time can result in the motor drawing too much current due to low resistance caused by deteriorated windings.
• Damaged circuit breaker – If your pump has been overloaded it will draw down more current than the breaker has capacity this can ultimately lead to damage in your circuit breaker which will trip your pump.

If your pump keeps tripping call Alton Pump Services –   we can assist by providing expert advice and also help you find a new pump if required.