septic pumps
- Thread starter dave0317
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mdshunk
Senior Member
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- Right here.
Re: septic pumps
The alarm is just a float in the septic tank. Not the float that operates the pump, but a seperate "alarm float". The float is just a dry contact closure (well, sometimes mercury wetted) that closes two terminals at the alarm box. The alarm box may not have power for some reason, or the float may not be adjusted properly, or the float or associated wiring may be bad. The alarm box is sometimes a buzzer in the house, or sometimes an outdoor enclosure with a buzzer and a red light.
I'd first jumper the float terminals at the alarm box to rule figure out whether the box is working or not. If the alarm sounds, then the trouble is with the alarm float or the associated wiring. This often necessarily involves having the tank pumped out for further troubleshooting.
The alarm is just a float in the septic tank. Not the float that operates the pump, but a seperate "alarm float". The float is just a dry contact closure (well, sometimes mercury wetted) that closes two terminals at the alarm box. The alarm box may not have power for some reason, or the float may not be adjusted properly, or the float or associated wiring may be bad. The alarm box is sometimes a buzzer in the house, or sometimes an outdoor enclosure with a buzzer and a red light.
I'd first jumper the float terminals at the alarm box to rule figure out whether the box is working or not. If the alarm sounds, then the trouble is with the alarm float or the associated wiring. This often necessarily involves having the tank pumped out for further troubleshooting.
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: septic pumps
The ones we do typically need a 12/2 and a 14/2 out to the tank. The 12/2 is power for the pump motor and the 14/2 is a signal wire for the alarm.
Our specs have the alarm at the service panel location, so there we need a 14/2 power circut for the alarm.
The ones we do typically need a 12/2 and a 14/2 out to the tank. The 12/2 is power for the pump motor and the 14/2 is a signal wire for the alarm.
Our specs have the alarm at the service panel location, so there we need a 14/2 power circut for the alarm.
tx2step
Senior Member
- Location
- North Texas, DFW area
Re: septic pumps
Out in this part of the country, I've never seen a pump in a septic tank. Maybe they're used occasionally, but I've never run across one.
All of the septic systems that I've seen gravity flow the liquid into the pipes of the leach field. If the flow isn't enough, the leach field is expanded until it will handle the volume of water produced.
What/where does the septic pump in a septic tank pump the stuff into?
Out in this part of the country, I've never seen a pump in a septic tank. Maybe they're used occasionally, but I've never run across one.
All of the septic systems that I've seen gravity flow the liquid into the pipes of the leach field. If the flow isn't enough, the leach field is expanded until it will handle the volume of water produced.
What/where does the septic pump in a septic tank pump the stuff into?
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: septic pumps
The second thing some people call septic pumps are really lift pumps. When your house drains are lower than the sewer line in the road, the house drains into a septic tank outside. The pump in that tank pumps your sewage uphill into the municipal sewer line.
Well, three things. Some areas have pressureized sewer lines. These also require a tank in the yard and a pump to pump the sewage under pressure into the sewer line.
All these types of systems have a high limit float and alarm system to let you know if there's trouble with the pump.
There's two things that might be called a septic pump. The first relates to a sand mound septic system. Here you have two tanks. The first tank receives all the sewage. The effluent from the first tank gravity flows to the pump tank. The pump pumps the effluent into the sand mound under pressure.
The second thing some people call septic pumps are really lift pumps. When your house drains are lower than the sewer line in the road, the house drains into a septic tank outside. The pump in that tank pumps your sewage uphill into the municipal sewer line.
Well, three things. Some areas have pressureized sewer lines. These also require a tank in the yard and a pump to pump the sewage under pressure into the sewer line.
All these types of systems have a high limit float and alarm system to let you know if there's trouble with the pump.
tx2step
Senior Member
- Location
- North Texas, DFW area
Re: septic pumps
Hmmm... Thanks MD
I've seen lots of sewage lift pumps, both large and small, from small residential models to large municipal lift stations.
But I've never seen the other 2 setups you describe.
Hmmm... Thanks MD
I've seen lots of sewage lift pumps, both large and small, from small residential models to large municipal lift stations.
But I've never seen the other 2 setups you describe.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: septic pumps
You guys are making me hungry.
You guys are making me hungry.
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