Well pump circuit breaker

[Harry S Taylor]

My water just shut off tonight and I checked the circuit breaker and it was tripped. Go to put it back on and I hear a humming noise lights dim and it trips back off within 5 seconds. Any ideas on why it wont stay in the on position? Plus the breaker sounds like a timer on a dryer when it's on for the 5 seconds.

 

[Reach4]

My water just shut off tonight and I checked the circuit breaker and it was tripped. Go to put it back on and I hear a humming noise lights dim and it trips back off within 5 seconds. Any ideas on why it wont stay in the on position? Plus the breaker sounds like a timer on a dryer when it's on for the 5 seconds.

1. What kind of pump? Submersible down the well?
2. If submersible, how many wires go to the pump -- 2 plus ground? Or is there a control box, and from that box 3 wires plus ground go to the pump?
3. Is water produced during those 5 seconds?
4. My clothes dryer dings. Does yours buzz, or what?
5. How many amps are going through the each of those wires to the pump during those 5 seconds?
6. How many amps is the breaker? Two pole breaker?
7. Consider posting a photo that includes the input to the pressure tank, the pressure switch, pressure gauge, and the nearest foot of pipe to those things that brings water from the well.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

Clicking and buzzing means your pump doesn't want to start. If it is a 3 wire pump you may be able to just replace the capacitor or the whole control box. But if it is a 2 wire and doesn't have a control box, all you can do is check to see that is has 230V instead of just 115V. If it has the proper voltage and still won't start, most likely the pump has cycled as many times as it was built for. Fix the pump and stop the cycling if you want the pump to last longer.

 

[Harry S Taylor]

Clicking and buzzing means your pump doesn't want to start. If it is a 3 wire pump you may be able to just replace the capacitor or the whole control box. But if it is a 2 wire and doesn't have a control box, all you can do is check to see that is has 230V instead of just 115V. If it has the proper voltage and still won't start, most likely the pump has cycled as many times as it was built for. Fix the pump and stop the cycling if you want the pump to last longer.

Definitely didnt want to start was able to find an exact replacement pump and now it works.

 

[Valveman]

Definitely didnt want to start was able to find an exact replacement pump and now it works.

Good! Now you just need to stop the cycling before you burn up another pump.