Square D Pumptrol not passing voltage. I don't understand!?
#1
02-17-13, 05:01 PM
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Square D Pumptrol not passing voltage. I don't understand!?
I noticed our well booster pump was not working so the first thing I checked was the breakers. They were fine. Next I checked the Pumptrol for switching and it was in the closed position. It is wired for 230V to the motor. I only see 3 volts across the two legs with the switch closed. Each leg shows 120V individually. When I manually open the switch the two legs coming in will show 240V. I'm at a loss on what to check next.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
#2
02-17-13, 05:33 PM
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#3
02-17-13, 05:46 PM
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#4
02-17-13, 09:00 PM
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Ok.....I've posted a representative picture below. You'll see the contacts are numbered from 1-4.
Disregard the colors as they are only particular to a certain installation.
Contacts 1 and 2 are one switch and contacts 3 and 4 are the other switch.
So your input power should be on, for example, terminal 1 and 3
and your load (to the pump) should be on 2 and 4.
Check for 240 vac on the incoming hot wires and 240 vac on the outgoing pump wires with the pressure switch calling for pump running.
You should measure 240 vac in both places.
If you don't see 240 vac on the input terminals with the pump running then you have a problem with your 240 vac supply....possibly breaker.
Disregard the colors as they are only particular to a certain installation.
Contacts 1 and 2 are one switch and contacts 3 and 4 are the other switch.
So your input power should be on, for example, terminal 1 and 3
and your load (to the pump) should be on 2 and 4.
Check for 240 vac on the incoming hot wires and 240 vac on the outgoing pump wires with the pressure switch calling for pump running.
You should measure 240 vac in both places.
If you don't see 240 vac on the input terminals with the pump running then you have a problem with your 240 vac supply....possibly breaker.
#5
02-17-13, 11:42 PM
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Thanks for the pics and explanation. Yes, that is how I have it wired. The thing is I definitely have 240v across 1 & 3, measured with DMM when the contacts are open. Also the valve to fill the tank is wired to same breakers and it is working.
So what I cant figure out is why when the Pumptrol calls for the pump to run by the contacts closing, the voltage drops across both legs, but each leg will still measure 120V separately.
Could the problem be that the capacitor in the motor is bad? I can't think of a reason why the voltage would drop and the motor will not start or run.
So what I cant figure out is why when the Pumptrol calls for the pump to run by the contacts closing, the voltage drops across both legs, but each leg will still measure 120V separately.
Could the problem be that the capacitor in the motor is bad? I can't think of a reason why the voltage would drop and the motor will not start or run.
#6
02-18-13, 09:44 AM
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I wanted you to specifically check for 240 vac on terminal 1 and 3
and 2 and 4.
By checking each leg to ground with the switch on tells you nothing because the pump resistance will make will terminals 2 and 4 read the same thing. The motor can be considered a dead short for meter purposes.
If you don't actually see 240 vac on the points I mentioned......then you are losing it before it gets there. You could have a corroded connection on a breaker or a splice. The meter will read voltage thru corrosion.
and 2 and 4.
By checking each leg to ground with the switch on tells you nothing because the pump resistance will make will terminals 2 and 4 read the same thing. The motor can be considered a dead short for meter purposes.
If you don't actually see 240 vac on the points I mentioned......then you are losing it before it gets there. You could have a corroded connection on a breaker or a splice. The meter will read voltage thru corrosion.
#7
02-18-13, 11:32 AM
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Okay, with switch open 1&3 = 240 volts
2&4 = 0 Volts (obviously)
with switched closed
1&3 = 4to5 volts
2&4 = 4to5 volts
2&4 = 0 Volts (obviously)
with switched closed
1&3 = 4to5 volts
2&4 = 4to5 volts
#8
02-18-13, 03:03 PM
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OK.....good. That is telling you that you have lost one leg of your 240 volts because earlier you said when checking either leg to ground you see 120volts. That is correct.....your are seeing the same 120 volts on both legs since the good leg is carried thru the motor.
Now with the switch on.....go to your circuit breaker and measure for voltage there on the actual wires and on the breaker lugs. You should see 240 vac in both places.
If you don't see 240 vac on the breaker.....check another one in the panel and see if there's 240 vac there.
Now with the switch on.....go to your circuit breaker and measure for voltage there on the actual wires and on the breaker lugs. You should see 240 vac in both places.
If you don't see 240 vac on the breaker.....check another one in the panel and see if there's 240 vac there.
#9
02-22-13, 12:51 PM
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Okay I had to wait for the rain to stop. I didn't want to be out there probing the breakers and wiring in the rain. So I measured at the main panel and I have 240 volts on the circuit. I measure again at a junction box running out to the tank. again 240 volts. Then I checked at the circuit breaker that feeds the Square D controller, 240 volts. then I measure at the contacts in the Square D 0-5 volts with the switched closed. All measurements were taken with the switch closed or energized. I'm at a loss.
