Well, maybe you need to watch your step (by step) for better footing
A well pump circuit breaker that keeps tripping often signals short circuits in your wiring, leaks dripping onto electrical components, or a faulty pump motor.
Overloaded circuits happen when your well pump runs alongside high-load appliances, drawing more power than the circuit can handle and causing the breaker to trip repeatedly.
Bad contacts on your pressure switch can cause the system to draw too much amperage, so checking the switch for corrosion helps prevent future breaker trips.
Hiring a local electrical professional provides reliable support with diagnosing wiring faults and pressure switch issues, keeping your well water system running smoothly.
Everything isn’t exactly well and good when you’ve got a perfectly good well but the well breaker keeps tripping. An occasional tripped breaker isn’t a huge cause for concern if resetting it fixes the issue. If the well pump circuit breaker is tripping frequently, though, you could be looking at a bigger problem. Run through some of the most common causes of a tripped breaker and possible solutions to get your well pump working normally again.
Bad weather can sometimes cause a breaker to trip. If you’ve recently had thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, or other major weather systems, they might be why your well breaker keeps tripping. A lightning strike can overload the circuit with a sudden surge of voltage. Rain can cause problems if you’ve got a flooded pump or worn-down seals.
It’s easy to tell if a breaker is tripped. You’ll find a series of thick switches inside your home’s circuit breaker box. They should be in the “on” position. One of these switches is associated with your well pump motor. You’ve got a tripped breaker if the switch is in its “off” position. Some circuit breakers show a red or orange tab when a breaker is tripped. To reset it, flip the switch all the way “off” and then all the way back “on” again.
If simply resetting the breaker doesn’t work, the bad weather may have permanently damaged your wiring or other components. Call a licensed electrician near you to conduct a closer inspection.
Like other household appliances and electronic devices, how much electricity a well pump uses can vary. A typical 1/2 horsepower water pump motor will use about 900 watts to run, but it can take as much as 3,000 watts (3 kW) to start. A larger pump with 1-1/2 horsepower will use 2,500 watts (2.5 kW) to run and up to 7,500 watts (7.5 kW) to start. That can be a fair bit of power.
If you run other high-load appliances at the same time, like your clothes dryer, you may overload the electrical circuit in your home. The wires can overheat and lead to a tripped breaker because you’re using more electricity than the circuit can handle. Your water pump might also be pulling more power than it should, causing the well breaker to keep tripping. In this case, you could use the help of both local well pump repair companies and electrical companies to address the issue.
Whenever plumbing is involved, as is obviously the case with supplying your family with well water, leaks are always a possibility. A leaky water pump may be another culprit worth scrutinizing if your well pump breaker is tripping frequently. The water pump itself may develop a leak. You might also notice a leak in the water pump housing, dripping water onto wires and other electrical components.
When this happens, they could short-circuit the system and trip the well pump breaker as a result. The underlying cause of the leak could be degrading sealant, incorrect coolant, or a loose connection. Preventative maintenance can reduce the chances of leaks from forming in the first place, but fixing leaks is one of the more common well pump repair jobs.
The well pump motor itself may be defective straight from the factory, or it may have become damaged or faulty over time. If it is defective and still under warranty, you may be able to skip the cost of replacing your well pump. This might mean returning to the store where you bought it or dealing directly with the manufacturer.
The average homeowner typically lacks the training and experience to diagnose a problematic well pump motor on their own. A professional technician can take a closer look to see if there is something wrong with the pump’s motor and whether this can be fixed. The issue may be with the pump motor, or it could relate to any of the wiring that leads to the pump.
A propeller has blades that spin around to propel air or water in a certain direction. An impeller works in fundamentally the same way, except it pulls air or water when it rotates. The impeller is a critical component of a functional submersible water pump. This is what pumps the water into your home’s supply lines.
Over time, the impeller can get clogged with floating debris and other materials. These are normal well pump problems that arise through regular wear and tear. If your water pump is making a grinding noise and the well breaker keeps tripping, it might be a clogged impeller. Try removing any debris around the impeller to get the water flowing normally again.
Often, what causes a breaker to trip is a short circuit in the wiring. This problem might not have anything to do with the well pump itself. Rather, there may be a fault in the electrical wiring. They could be fried or short-circuited, losing power intermittently and triggering a tripped breaker. Other times, the wiring just might be connected securely.
You always need to be extra careful when working around electricity. While you can perform a visual inspection of the electrical wiring relating to your well pump motor, call a professional electrician to fix any problems that you might notice.
A short circuit can also come about because of pests who have found their way into your home. Mice, rats, and other rodents can chew through the wiring, both above ground and below it. If they chew right through it, they’ll cause a break in the electrical connection and prevent the current from reaching your well water pump.
Even if they don’t chew all the way through, they could fray or damage the wiring, causing your well water to stop working. Insects and other pests may also form nests in your pump, causing other electrical problems that keep tripping the circuit breaker.
The well pump pressure switch is what triggers the well pump to turn on and off. It measures the pressure in the water system, and if the pressure drops below the cut-in threshold, the well pump will start filling the tank. When the pressure exceeds the cut-out limit, the well pump stops pumping water. That’s when it is working normally.
If the contacts on your well pressure switch have degraded or corroded over time, the switch may not work correctly anymore. Bad or burnt contacts can cause the system to draw too much amperage and this can trip your circuit breaker. A visual review of the pressure switch is usually included in the cost of a well inspection by a licensed technician.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C.Great experience!! Dion was prompt, professional and very polite. He is hands down the best plumber I have ever used.
Mercenary Remodeling & HandyworksCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceThe technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC pays attention to every detail, ensuring a job well done every time.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWhen we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLCFrom the beginning , every appointment was met with punctuality! The day of installation, they arrived on time and worked tirelessly all day until the job was finished. ( Even through a very heavy down pour) Ilia, the owner is a professional, knowledgeable, and fair man. He is absolutely, and...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThe service was excellent! They gave me a quote, and had it done 4 days later. My driveway looks amazing, very professional! I would definitely recommend their service to anyone. I have had neighbors stop by and ask for their information as well.
All Star Paving and SealingThey are very reliable and available. They the drains all the time
The WaterworksFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Our guide can help you determine the source of the circuit tripping and how to correct it in order to keep you and your home safe.
If your circuit breaker keeps tripping when you use the toaster or coffee maker, learn why it’s happening and how to fix it.
When you need to figure out how to find what is tripping your circuit breaker, our guide can walk you through the possible causes and how to identify them.
If you’ve got a short circuit for tripped breakers, you’re not alone. There’s nothing more frustrating than appliances that trip breakers, causing you to lose power. Learn which appliances are prone to tripping and what you can do about it.
Wondering how to tell if a circuit breaker is bad? There are several warning signs you should know to help keep your family, home, and electronics safe from shortages and fires. Keep reading to learn the signs to watch out for with circuit breakers.
When your circuit breaker trips, it can be frustrating and inconvenient. Here are the main reasons why your arc fault breaker keeps tripping and tips to find and fix the issues.
