How to Adjust Pressure Tank Points
Storing and delivering water and vapor pressure for use in pumps, a pressure tank protects and helps extend the life of a pump’s motor by controlling the water vapor pressure and pump activation with a pressure switch. A popular pressure switch used on pressure tanks, and copied by other manufacturers, is the Square D pressure switch. These instructions will discuss how to set or adjust pressure points on a Square D pressure switch. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 3/8 hollow-stemmed nut drive
- Volt meter
- Tire gauge
- Air compressor or bike pump
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Instructions
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1
Turn the power to the pump and the switch off. Loosen the screw on the cover of the pressure switch to remove it. Read the factory settings for the pressure switch inside the cover. You will see the pressure switch range indicating the pounds per square inch (PSI). "ON/I" represents the low-pressure, cut-in-pressure, and "OFF/O" is the high-pressure cut-off pressure. Replace the cover.
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2
Decide how much you want to increase or decrease the cut-in pressure set point and the cut-off pressure set point. If the pressure has already been adjusted, you will have to determine the pressure points manually; go to step 3 to determine pressure points manually. If the switch has not been adjusted, go to step 4.
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3
Turn the pump and switch back on. Turn the faucet on. Read the pressure gauge on the pump, and make a note of the point the pump turns on and the point the pump turns off.
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4
Turn the pump and switch off. Turn the faucet on until the pressure gauge reaches zero and the water stops. The tank must be completely empty to accurately set the low-pressure cut in-pressure and the high-pressure cut-off pressure.
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5
Locate the air valve on the pressure tank and use the tire gauge to check the air pressure.
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6
Using your compressor, adjust the air pressure in the tank to 2 PSI less than the set point you decided on to activate the pump.
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7
Remove the cover from the pressure switch and use the volt meter to ensure the power is off.
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8
Turn the nut on the taller spring clockwise, a quarter turn for one PSI. This may vary from switch to switch.
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9
Replace the cover and turn on the power to the pump and switch.
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10
Observe the pressure gauge. When it gets to the pressure point you decided on, shut the power off, remove the cover and turn the nut counter-clockwise until the electrical contacts on the switch open.
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11
Turn the power back on and run the water to see if the pump starts and cuts off at the low-pressure cut-in point and the high-pressure cut-off point you decided on. Repeat steps 7 through 10 until you reach the settings you want.
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Tips & Warnings
Maintaining your tank and pressure switch is important. You should check your low-pressure cut-in point and your high-pressure cut-off point at least once a year. If your pump comes on every time you turn on your water or keeps shutting off and on consistently when you are using water, check your pressure points; they may need to be adjusted. You should also recharge your tank with air during maintenance.
Increasing the pressure range reduces the storage capacity of your pump. The pump will activate more often, causing wear and tear on your pump and ultimately decreasing the useful life of the motor. Air provides a consistent water pressure by creating a vapor space inside the tank. When you turn the water on, the vapor space creates pressure and forces the stored water to move to the faucet opening. Consistent water pressure prevents the pump from starting every time you turn on the water.
