Submersible well pump

[Fiona]

We recently drilled the well in 2020 December up to 50 Meters and the water was found at 35 Meters . The pump that was installed is 220V with 1.1KW. The problem we having since the first day is that the water only run for approximately 15 minutes and stops every time, this still happen even after a whole week of not switching on the pump or switching it everyday it does not matter.

Please assist

 

[Reach4]

By stops, do you mean the flow of water stops abruptly, or does it stop gradually?

What happens to the current (amps) when you start, and what happens to the current for the next 20 minutes?

What do you do to restart the pump?

Current for pumps is normally measured with a clamp-around ammeter.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Fiona]

Water stops abruptly.

Immediately after the water stops we switch off the pump avoiding that it might burn out and to restart the pump we need to switch it on again after 5 hours.

 

[Reach4]

Measure current.

 

[Valveman]

It is either tripping an overload and the pump is shutting off, or it is pumping the well dry and the pump keeps running. Measuring current with a clip around amp meter will tell you which it is.

 

[Bannerman]

While you stated the total drilled depth of the well and also specified the static water level, how deep was the pump placed? It is common for the water level to lower when the pump is operating.

While the pump will not be usually placed all the way at the well bottom as it will then be likely to pump sand and silt, it will need to be placed significantly below the static water level. From your description of the issue, it sounds as though the pump may not have been placed deep enough so once the water level becomes lower in the well, there is insufficient water remaining for the pump to draw.

 

[Fiona]

It is either tripping an overload and the pump is shutting off, or it is pumping the well dry and the pump keeps running. Measuring current with a clip around amp meter will tell you which it is.

Can I do the measurements my self or I would need an expert the pump specification is 220V 50HZ 1.1KW.

 

[Fiona]

Measure current.

220V 50Hz 1.1KW is the pump spec. how do i measure the current

 

[Fiona]

While you stated the total drilled depth of the well and also specified the static water level, how deep was the pump placed? It is common for the water level to lower when the pump is operating.

While the pump will not be usually placed all the way at the well bottom as it will then be likely to pump sand and silt, it will need to be placed significantly below the static water level. From your description of the issue, it sounds as though the pump may not have been placed deep enough so once the water level becomes lower in the well, there is insufficient water remaining for the pump to draw.

That's what am suspecting but the contractor is not giving me confidence he first said they placed it at 38m he changed to 45 to 47m. I know dont know what to believe

 

[Fiona]

It is either tripping an overload and the pump is shutting off, or it is pumping the well dry and the pump keeps running. Measuring current with a clip around amp meter will tell you which it is.

how do you measure the current

 

[Bannerman]

how do you measure the current

The video below will explain. Although the video is showing a 120-volt circuit, the method will be identical for the 220-volt circuit for your pump.

Record the current reading for each wire leading to the pump while the pump is running but not delivering water.

 

[Bannerman]

he first said they placed it at 38m he changed to 45 to 47m.

To place the pump deeper would require a longer drop pipe and electrical cable. Unless the pump was pulled out from the well to replace or extend the drop pipe and wiring, he is only telling you what he thinks you want to hear and what he thinks will absolve him of responsibility.

It sounds likely the pump was installed at 38 m and within 15 minutes, the pump has pumped-out sufficient water to cause the water level to drop within the well to where the pump is sucking air.

By measuring current, the electrical current the pump will consume will become less when sucking air. If there is electric current being drawn after water flow abruptly stops, that should confirm if the pump is actually continuing to run at that time.