Question about septic systems..

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LocoKen

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I hope this doesn't sound too much like a beginner question, but I was wondering what the best way for me to learn septic installations is as I'm trying to become the best I can be for the company I work for. In the past, I have always been pushed away from the harder installations of any part of my job for the lead electrician and never got the experience in this area like I had wished. Do you suggest going to the supply warehouse that sells septic systems or some other option? I really need help in this area as I don't have the confidence to just show up and do the job without having to take the time to layout the whole installation by myself. I also understand that there is a varying degree in each septic installation due to the difference of each. I don't have the luxury of asking the lead electrician as I don't work with him anymore so that's not an option. Any suggestions??? Books??? Some online electrical installation website??? Please help me!

Thanks to anyone who can lead me in the right direction. :)
 
Do web searches, get product information from the manufacture ask questions. An electrician that won't explain something to you is insecure and afraid for his job and a blight on our profession. Get all the knowledge you can and then one day you'll show him up (hopefully). Not because you need to be mean but because he brought this upon himself.
 
First you need to check with the local health department and see what they require. Once you find that out then it is a pretty straight forward job. Most are self contained units but some areas require the alarm to be inside the dwelling unit.
 
How about posting some specific questions here? I've wired tons of them, as have many others on the forum. You will get lots of quick and accurate info here.
 
Do a web search for "Grinder pump systems", there's a lot of info available.

Also, read, and re-read the electrical code until you have a firm grasp of the requirements for outdoor and buried electrical systems. Things like conductor insulation, types of conduit and support, burial depths, outdoor equipment, etc.

Study the (grinder) system until you understand what each component does and how it does it.

Get some info on how to read and comprehend electrical (control) schematics.
The logic in these systems is pretty simple. You need to know how it operates.

If possible, go look at a installed system and make notes.

I've installed over 200 grinder pump systems in the last 7 years for a city wide sewer system, so I have some experience.

Hope this helps
steve
 
hillbilly said:
Do a web search for "Grinder pump systems", there's a lot of info available.
steve
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In this area we don't use grinder pumps for septic systems. They usually are lift pumps to pump the effluence up hill to a spot where the septic system can be laid out properly or where the land will perc properly. The heavy stuff (you know what that is) stays in the first of two tanks then the effluence falls into another tank 20 feet or so away and in that tank it is pumped up to a field that percs. No grinder...
 
I see a lot of grinder pumps for town sewer as well as a lot of effluent pumps for private septics in my area. Again, with some more specifics we can probably help him.
 
Well, I can tell you what I'm seeing. Some just have the basic alarm with the wiring block on the inside and three floats and a pump in the first tank. I've also seen things like the UV light, air pump, and a variety of control boxes. When I come up on a septic system, I can identify the different components as I've been told what they are, but I'm not up on the function of each for the most part, and how they are tied to the system. So wiring them seems a bit of a challenge. I know a little about it, but it's like a mystery to me. Some guys spout off information that just goes right over my knowledge base and puts my mind in a tailspin. I guess I'm more of a hands-on person. But I find you fine people here to be quite helpful and very courteous. It's nice to see people who are willing to help a person out. That's one reason why I come here and I thank you all for being so kind to lead me in the right direction.
 
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LocoKen said:
Well, I can tell you what I'm seeing. Some just have the basic alarm with the wiring block on the inside and three floats and a pump in the first tank. I've also seen things like the UV light, air pump, and a variety of control boxes. When I come up on a septic system, I can identify the different components as I've been told what they are, but I'm not up on the function of each for the most part, and how they are tied to the system. So wiring them seems a bit of a challenge. I know a little about it, but it's like a mystery to me. Some guys spout off information that just goes right over my knowledge base and puts my mind in a tailspin. I guess I'm more of a hands-on person. But I find you fine people here to be quite helpful and very courteous. It's nice to see people who are willing to help a person out. That's one reason why I come here and I thank you all for being so kind to lead me in the right direction.
Click to expand...

Most septic systems have four cords extending from the tank. One is a high level switch/float (pump on), the second a low level switch (pump off), the third is an alarm switch which would come on if the pump should fail or if the high level float gets stuck and the effluence gets too high. The fourth is, of course, the power to the pump. Normally there is a circuit for the alarm and float part of the system that is separate from the pump circuit. Thus if the pump should trip the breaker there would still be power for the alarms.
 
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