How Do Floating Pumps Work?

A floating pump is an essential piece of equipment for many applications. They are widely used in the construction industry for pumping out water and waste materials from excavation sites. They are also used for ponds and pits to drain them when they become full. Float mounted pumps are easily maneuvered to move around the site to empty multiple locations or simply keep water level at a specific height.

How do floating pumps work?
A float switch moves up and down with the liquid level, based on a counterweight and pre-set trigger. When it rises to the trigger point, a mechanical switch opens up and sends an electrical current to the connected device. The switch can be wired as either a normally open or a normally closed circuit. A normally open switch remains opened when down (low liquid level) and a normally closed switch stays closed when up (high liquid level).

The float switch is a simple, effective solution to prevent flooding and maintain the correct water levels in a tank. However, it can be prone to issues such as internal interference from other equipment in the same basin or mechanical wear and tear over time.

To avoid this, a contactor can be added to the circuit between the float switch and the power pump. This is a simple but effective addition which prevents the pump from being overloaded and also reduces the amount of current flowing through the switch, extending its lifespan.floating pump