Pressure Switches

Pressure Switch

Pressure switches control the "pressure" for your water. The pressure switch is usually located on the pipe in front of your pressure tank.

This systems pressure switch is in the circle.

This Switch has a grey cover but black and blue are also common lid colors.

Jet pumps commonly have the pressure switch attached to the side of the pump.

Most pressure switches have two threaded posts with a spring and a nut on them. The center one(highlighted with the red circle) changes the on and off pressure. The smaller offset one(highlighted with the blue circle) changes the off pressure only.

The center nut every complete turn you tighten increases the on and off pressure by 2lbs. Every turn you loosen it decreases the on and off pressure by 2lbs also.

When you adjust your switches pressure always make sure the pump is able to turn on and off with the new pressure or you may burn up the pump.

Under the lid is a label with the specs and lbs for that switch.

The pressure switch works by water pressure pushing on a diaphragm connected to the bottom of the spring. Once the set pressure is reached the points(which connect to the electricity to turn the pump on and off) will open shutting the pump off.

The points in this picture are shown closed so if the power is on the pump should be running.The points(also commonly called contacts) are highlighted in this picture.

The points in this picture are open so the pressure should be at the set level and the pump has shut off.

Never Touch pressure switches while the power is on! Make sure the correct power supply has been shut off before removing lid.

The most common problems for pressure switches in our area is bugs and lizards. The electricity in pressure switches keeps them warm in colder weather and dry in rain. Ants and lizards get electrocuted in between the points and leave burnt residue on the contacts causing them not to get the power threw them. Cleaning them with sand paper our an emery board will usually fix the problem. Sometimes using the corner of the plastic lid to open the contacts will reset them enough to allow the electricity to flow again.