Drilling a well and installing a casing is a complex technological process, and in most cases, its implementation is impossible without the use of heavy drilling equipment. This is especially true for the development of artesian wells. Therefore, to perform this work, it is better to contact employees of a company that specializes in providing such services.
But all further work on the construction of the well, if you have basic construction skills and a technical mindset, can be done independently. Considering the considerable cost of installing a well pump by professional craftsmen, self-installation will help save a significant amount of money.
Pump Installation Guide
This article will provide the reader with step-by-step instructions for installing a submersible well pump on their own.
- The stainless steel cable and clamps for fixing it must be designed for the weight of the entire system assembly (pump, electrical cable, pipe filled with water, fastening fittings), taking into account a tenfold overload. The length of the cable should be slightly greater than the full depth of the well.
- The double vinyl insulated electrical cable must be of such length that it remains continuous without joints along its entire length, from the pump to the control panel. The recommended cable cross-section and number of cores are indicated in the pump operating manual.
- The water-lifting pipe made of HDPE and the connecting fittings for it must also be selected based on the recommendations of the submersible pump manufacturer.
Advice! Before installing the borehole pump, it is necessary to perform idle pumping of the well for two days to clean it of sand and drill cuttings residues, using an inexpensive submersible pump of the “Malysh” type. It is highly not recommended to perform pumping using the main well pump.
Pump installation
If the well depth is shallow, the pump can be lowered manually on a cable, but this method is less convenient and requires increased attention, extreme accuracy and the participation of at least two people.
It is much more convenient and safer to maintain and install borehole pumps using a metal or wooden tripod, which is installed on the surface of the earth above the well head.
- Before starting the descent, you need to finally make sure that the electrical connection is connected correctly and tightly, check the operation of the check valve and the rotation of the working shaft, as well as the reliability of the support cable fixation.
- Measure the estimated length of the cable and make a loop at its second end by installing two metal clamps. Install a snap-on carabiner for the cable at the well head.
- As it is lowered, the power cable must be secured to the pressure pipe using nylon ties or stainless steel clamps. At the point of fixation, the cable must be wrapped with a strip of sheet rubber and, when tightening the clamps, be careful not to damage the insulation.
- After some time, the pump’s path will encounter the most difficult place in the well, where the casing moves from a larger diameter to a smaller one. When passing through this section, you should not rush, but smoothly turn the pump around its axis and push it down with slight pressure.
- You can read about this in the previous article on our website, while the most optimal installation depth for a submersible pump is considered to be located several meters below the dynamic water level, but no closer than 1-2 meters to its surface.
- To avoid clogging the pump and check valve with sand, it is not allowed to lower the submersible pump closer than 1 meter to the bottom of the well.
Advice! After installing and securing the pump, you must make sure that the entire water-lifting system does not hang with its weight on the pressure pipe, but is suspended solely on the supporting cable.
For reliable operation of the water supply system, it is necessary to comply with certain rules and requirements that apply to the installation and operation of submersible borehole pumps.
- Water is the working fluid and at the same time the coolant for the submersible pump, therefore its operation without water is strictly prohibited.
- In order to exclude dry operation, it is necessary to install a liquid level sensor in the well, which will turn off the power supply to the pump when the water level drops below a critical level.
- All metal elements of pumping equipment must be made of stainless steel. Its price is significantly higher than the cost of ferrous metal, however, firstly, stainless steel parts will not affect the composition and taste of water, and secondly, they will not deteriorate during oxidation, which, accordingly, will not lead to cable breakage and loss well pump.
Conclusion
From the above article we can conclude that almost any home craftsman can easily install a submersible pump in a well on his own property. To do this, it is enough to be careful and adhere to generally accepted norms and rules.
You can get answers to additional questions by watching the video in this article, or reading other materials on our website, and if you have questions for its author, you can leave them in the comment form.
More and more people are moving to live outside the city, some permanently, some prefer to buy summer cottages. But more often than not, yesterday's city residents face many problems. The first of them is water. Not all areas initially have a source of water on their territory. Digging a well yourself is very dangerous, and finding a place for it is quite problematic.
The best option is your own well. For the normal operation of not only the well, but also the entire water supply system, a deep-well pump is needed. If you want to install a deep-well pump yourself, then you need to know some operating features.
The characteristic properties of deep (submersible) pumps are:
- creating pressure at a level that ensures optimal water extraction from the well and its further supply through the water supply system;
- long operating time;
- has a cylindrical shape, which is very convenient for the installation process;
- some models are capable of supplying water with admixtures of clay or sand; These models have a unique structure and are made of materials that are particularly durable.
Deep-well pumps are of good quality and reliability, which has made them popular and in demand among owners of private houses and suburban areas. This is the most popular method of water supply for summer cottages, cottages and country houses.
Choice
First of all, you need to select a pump from the parameters of the existing well. It must meet two selection criteria:
- first of all, this is the depth of the well, it is measured in meters, that is, the pump must raise water to a certain height;
- and the second criterion is the volume of water (measured in cubic meters) that the pump will lift per hour of operation.
Thus, a deep-well pump must be selected with such performance that it does not lift more water than the well produces. At the same time, it must have sufficient pressure to supply water to the area and the house.
The reliability and durability of a deep-well pump primarily depends on proper installation. If you decide to install the pump yourself, then you should consult with specialists and thoroughly study all the necessary information about installation methods and connection technology. Quality depends not only on the skilled actions and knowledge of the craftsman, but also on the quality of materials and equipment. If the installation technology is violated or low-quality equipment is used, difficulties may arise during installation or failure may occur very soon. Repeated installation or repair is a waste of money, time and effort.
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Preliminary work
Before installing the pump, you should find out all the parameters of the well into which the pump will be installed:
- its depth (distance from the surface to the bottom) and width (circumference);
- statistical and dynamic water level.
Everyone knows what depth and width are, but other indicators should be understood in more detail.
Dynamic potential affects the power of the equipment and determines how much water the well can pump in a certain period of time.
A statistical indicator is the minimum distance (height) the pump can lift water. That is, this is the distance from the surface to the water level.
Decide how often you will use the pump. If you need water regularly, then it makes sense to connect the power supply directly to the pump.
If you do not need water regularly, you can get by with an extension cord.
However, keep in mind the fact that the pump requires a large amount of electricity. Therefore, if you use the pump for a long time, the extension cord may overheat, which may cause the cord and plug to melt. This is very dangerous, because if you do not notice and stop using the extension cord in time, a short circuit, fire, or damage to the insulation may occur. Repeated contact with an extension cord may result in an electric shock.
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Installation rules
In order for the pump to serve for the maximum period, it is necessary to follow the installation technology.
The installation of a deep-well pump initially depends on the required pressure and voltage, as well as on the existing parameters of your well. But it is worth considering that under the influence of certain factors, pressure and pressure can sometimes decrease significantly.
That is why, before starting work, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the following points:
- compliance of pump characteristics with well performance;
- what power is required to operate the equipment - two or three phases;
- equipment power.
If you have all the necessary knowledge and have read the requirements, then it will not be difficult for you to correctly install the equipment yourself. To do this you will need the following tools:
- the pump itself;
- safety rope;
- head kit;
- stainless steel clamps;
- hose;
- HDPE pipe;
- various fittings;
- ball valve.
Moreover, buy pipes and cables designed to be immersed to the entire depth of the well, but do not take the exact length, take 1-3 meters more.
You also need to know the following:
- you need a 220 Volt voltage stabilizer, since the equipment is sensitive to voltage changes;
- the cable from the deep-well pump must be extended by soldering, after which fluid coupling insulation must be carried out;
- carefully connect the wires by color in case of cable extension;
- regulate well productivity;
- If there is no water in the well, it is strictly forbidden to turn on the pump.
One of the primary tasks of every owner of a suburban area is to provide drinking water to the living space. Several decades ago, this problem was solved by digging a well.
Deep-well pumps are easy to install, you don’t need to look after them, since they are protected against “dry running,” and the price is quite reasonable.
These days, the best source of drinking water is your own well. Correct installation of pumping equipment is the key to the effective functioning of the water supply system at home.
Preparatory work
In order for drinking water to flow uninterruptedly into a country house, it is necessary to purchase a pump that is characterized by reliable operation and excellent quality. One of these types of equipment are deep-well pumps.
Before lowering equipment into a well, its exact depth and width should be determined. The choice of pump model directly depends on the depth of the well. On the one hand, the unit should not lift water in an amount that exceeds the productivity (dynamic potential) of the well. On the other hand, the pressure should be enough for normal water supply to the house and land.
Electrical wiring is installed immediately. Even if you plan to use the pump irregularly. An extension cord will not work because the equipment consumes a large amount of electrical energy. This often leads to overheating of the cable and melting of the plug, which can cause a short circuit and a fire.
When installing the pump, it is necessary to ensure the presence of the optimal voltage of the electrical network, on which the indicators of water pressure and equipment pressure depend. Depending on the power of the unit, the need for two or three phases of electric current is determined.
The deep-well pump is quite sensitive to voltage changes. Therefore, when connecting it to the electrical network, it is better to use a voltage stabilizer (220 V). If the electrical wire needs to be extended, the soldering method is used, followed by insulating the cable into a fluid coupling. It is recommended to connect cables that have insulation of the same color.
The well needs to be cleaned. To do this, a small amount of water is pumped out. Pumping is carried out until the impurities of soil and sand disappear. Only after this can installation work be carried out.
To efficiently install a pump in a well, we will need the following materials and tools:
- safety rope;
- HDPE pipe;
- hose;
- fitting;
- couplings;
- insulating tape;
- silicone sealant;
- clamps;
- head kit;
- pipe wrench;
- metal scissors;
- bending pliers;
- hammer;
- air gun;
- hexagon;
- roulette;
- square;
- lace.
The safety rope and pipe are purchased with a margin of 2-3 m.
Nuances of equipment installation
At the initial stage, the casing should be carefully checked. There should be no narrowing, unevenness or curvature of the structure. The presence of any defects will make it difficult to properly install the deep-well pump and lead to its premature damage.
It is immediately worth noting that there should be no significant discrepancies between the diameter of the HDPE pipe and the diameter of the pump. A large difference in size may negatively affect the efficient operation of the unit. In some cases, this can result in equipment failure. The maximum rate of discrepancy can be found in the instructions that come with the pump.
Installation of equipment is carried out on a clean and level surface. A fitting is screwed to the pump, which has different external threads on both sides. The fitting is connected to the HDPE coupling. For maximum thread tightness, flax is used, which is coated with silicone sealant.
The HDPE pipe is unwound. It should be laid in as straight a line as possible. It is best to use a polyethylene pipe, which has a diameter of 32 mm. If its diameter is less than 32 mm, pressure loss will increase and water pressure will deteriorate.
The end of the pipe that connects to the deep-well pump is pulled out and straightened. The equipment must fit smoothly into the well. To install the pipe to the pump, use a HDPE coupling, which is tightened with a pipe wrench.
A safety rope and an electrical wire are unwound along the pipe. The cable is threaded through special eyelets-brackets. Two loops are made. The two ends of the cable are compressed with steel clamps.
Electrical tape is used to secure the electrical cable and cable to the pipe. There is no need to pull them strongly towards the pipe. If the cable and cable are not secured to the pipe, then when lifting the pump from a depth they may become tangled.
The next step is installing the head. To facilitate this process, all connecting screws are unscrewed. The head flange is placed on the pipe. The extreme part of the pipe is lubricated with sealant. The water pipe is connected to the rubber ring of the head. The casing pipe is cut before the head is installed. The pipe should protrude 25-30 cm above the well.
Completion of installation work
The pump is lowered into the well. If in some area the equipment does not pass further, it is necessary to carefully rotate the pump or pipe around its axis. If the unit does not lower further, it should be pulled to the surface and try to better align the pipe. The pump must be installed below the water level and above 1 m from the bottom of the well.
It takes two people to complete the installation of the pump. One person is holding the pipe. His assistant must thread the cable through the head and secure it to the carabiner. The upper part of the head with a cable and pipe is lowered into the well. Both parts of the head are combined.
To check the correct location of the pump (it should be fixed with a cable and not hanging on the pipe), press on the end of the pipe.
It should go down a little. Now the head can be tightened with screws. After installing the equipment, all performance indicators are checked: pressure, power and amount of electricity consumed.
The quality of operation and service life of the equipment will largely depend on the correct installation of deep-well pumps. The use of low quality materials and violation of the pump installation technology in the well can cause breakage or premature failure of the equipment. And this is fraught with additional costs for creating a new well, since it is almost impossible to get a stuck pump.
City residents change their registration with great joy: becoming a resident of a suburban village is pleasant, prestigious, and good for your health. True, such a change in habitat means that power outages and walking with a bucket to fetch water will become familiar realities for most of the settlers. You can put up with this, or you can fight it. It takes very little time to buy and install the same generator. But with the water source everything is much more complicated. Finding a place for a well yourself is difficult, and digging it is generally life-threatening. It is best to contact specialists who will do this work for you. They will also tell you whether it is possible to drill and install a pump in a well on the site, if this option suits you best.
Installation and commissioning rules
Before installing the pump in the well, you need to check for unevenness, bending or narrowing of the casing pipe. All this can not only significantly complicate installation, but also reduce the service life of the equipment. If the difference in the diameters of the pipe and the pump is too small, all surface defects will affect its operation; if it is too large, the pump may burn out. The fact is that in the latter case the speed of water movement, which is necessary to cool the engine, will not be ensured. The minimum acceptable values must be specified in the technical documentation.
The pump is suspended on a nylon cord capable of withstanding a tensile load that is five times its weight. To avoid suction of the knot on which the suspension is attached, it is tied at a distance of at least 10 centimeters from the inlet holes, and its ends are melted. If the pump is lowered less than ten meters, an additional spring suspension must be attached to the end of the cord to dampen vibration. This could be a medical tourniquet or flexible rubber tape.
Do not use iron wire or cable as a suspension, as they will break the fastenings on the aluminum pump body during operation.
The power cord, nylon suspension and metal-plastic pipe are fastened with electrical tape in increments of 70-130 centimeters. The first bunch should be at a distance of at least 20-30 centimeters from the pump nozzle.
The pump suspension is selected in such a way that it can withstand a load that is 5-10 times the weight of the pump. And the attachment point should be ten centimeters from the inlet holes
Connecting the pump to the well does not involve the use of threaded connections. They reduce the strength of pipes and are subject to corrosion. Flange connections will last much longer. When using them, the fastening bolt must be inserted from above, and the nut from below, since a bolt falling into the well can lead to a serious accident.
The upper end of the discharge pipeline is attached to the base plate. Then a check valve (if the pump does not have one), a valve, an elbow, a pressure gauge are installed on it and the equipment is connected to the water supply system.
Next, the pendant should be attached to the crossbar. This is the last thing to do before lowering the pump into the well. When lowering, it should not touch the walls. If this cannot be guaranteed, it is better to protect the housing with a rubber ring.
The pump must be lowered into the well very carefully, avoiding contact and hitting the walls. Just in case, you can put a rubber ring on the body
In order to measure the water level in the well, a column of gas pipes is installed into the hole in the base plate. It is immersed below the dynamic level.
Using a megohmmeter, you need to determine the insulation resistance of the electric motor winding with the cable lowered. After this, connect the control station to the pump, check whether it is sufficiently immersed in water and evaluate the operation of the electric motor under load.
To what depth can and should the pump be lowered?
The static level is the length of the segment from the ground level to the water surface in its natural state. Then water begins to be pumped out of the well. The level at which the water stops is called dynamic.
The pump is lowered below the dynamic water level by two meters, and at least one meter must remain to the bottom of the well
In order for the engine to cool properly, the pump must be lowered to at least 30 centimeters below the dynamic level, and a dive of two to three meters below this mark is considered optimal. It should be remembered that the distance to the bottom of the well should be at least 1-2 meters.
How to replace a well pump in case of an accident?
The need to replace the pump rarely occurs, mainly due to the fact that the pump was installed incorrectly in the well. The cause of the accident may lie in an incorrectly selected automatic power supply or in the low power of the pump itself. For example, if it is designed for 50-meter immersion, but is actually installed at a depth of 80 meters, then repairs will be needed within a few months.
The automatic power supply is set to working, and from such a depth a weak pump simply cannot lift it. As a result of constant operation without shutting down, it quickly breaks down.
As in any situation, there are two options: we call repair specialists or do everything ourselves.
Option number 1: call deep-well pump repair specialists
First of all, this option is suitable for those who do not understand pumping equipment. Professionals can objectively assess the situation and identify the reasons that led to equipment failures. It is possible that only the automatic power supply is not working correctly, but the pump itself is in working condition. In this case, it is enough to configure it properly.
Another plus for those who have already decided that such repairs are beyond their capabilities is the guarantee provided by the contractor. Also, in addition to the main work, you will have a complete setup of the entire water supply system. Of course, you need to pay for such services, and if we are talking about replacing the pump, then the amount will be impressive.
Option number 2: replacing the pump yourself
Replacing a well pump on your own is carried out only if you are sure that it is faulty. If in doubt, it is better to contact specialists.
It is simply impossible to do this work alone; you will need the help of at least five more people: at a depth of 100 meters, the pump with cable and suspension weighs about 250 kilograms.
- First of all, you need to prepare a plumbing tool, an electric soldering iron, a hair dryer, a heat-shrink sleeve, scissors and consumables.
Then we disconnect the well head pipeline and the pump power cable from the main line going into the house. After this, unscrew the tightening element.
When lifting the pump, be sure to use a safety rope. If the pump breaks, it will be impossible to lift it, which means it will be impossible to use the well in the future either.
- We disconnect the pump raised to the surface from the main line. We inspect the pump; if it is still in working condition, we replace the connecting mechanism, coupling and check valve. The old ones have most likely already lost their working properties, so it is better to install new ones. If the old pump cannot be repaired, install a new one.
- Next, we connect the pipeline to the pump, solder the power cable, remembering the tightness of the connection and the heat-shrink sleeve. We attach the safety rope and check its tension.
We prepare the new pump for submersion, solder the power cable and attach the safety rope
- Installation of a deep-well pump in a well must be done extremely carefully. It is undesirable to allow contact with the walls of the casing pipe.
The pump must be lowered into the well very carefully - make sure that it does not hit the wall
- We tighten the well head, attach fittings to the harness and configure the automation in accordance with the specified parameters.
We configure automatic power supply in accordance with the specified operating pressure parameters
The most convenient option for organizing water supply in a suburban area is a well. The deep-well pump operates quietly, and if the installation and adjustment were carried out correctly, then the next time you will have to look into the well very soon.
The choice and installation of a well pump depends on many factors: the location of the equipment, the required water pressure, pressure losses due to technological friction in the supply pipes, the pressure difference when turning the equipment on and off, its reliability, ease of use, manufacturer and cost.
For personal needs and installation in a suburban area, well pumps are selected according to the following criteria:
- Initial equipment dimensions. A well pump is placed in a well with a certain technological tolerance.
- Power of the electricity source. Based on the initial parameters of the site and its power supply, it is necessary to take into account that well pumps are single-phase and three-phase.
- Pump power. This parameter is determined in advance based on water consumption and design pressure.
- Pump cost. Today there are a lot of offers on the market in different price categories, the main thing is the right choice of the price-quality ratio of equipment.
Pumps intended for domestic water supply are divided into surface and submersible equipment. Surface pumps are designed to draw water from a shallow depth (up to 8 m) and are mounted outside the water supply source; submersible pumps, which include borehole and well pumps, are completely immersed in water during operation and are used to lift water from greater depths. Sometimes well pumps (when arranged in a horizontal arrangement) are used to draw water from rivers or other open bodies of water, if they are located away from the house and high-power equipment is required to deliver water.
Borehole pumps have a number of advantages:
- Large depth of water intake, inaccessible to other types of pumps.
- Ease of installation.
- No rubbing parts.
- Low noise level.
- Long service life.
Installing a well pump requires certain skills and knowledge. It is very important to carry out installation competently and carefully, since all further operation of the equipment will depend on the correct arrangement of the equipment.
Incorrect installation of the pump, the use of low-quality materials and violation of technology can lead to the following negative consequences, which will then be difficult to correct:
- Pump breakage;
- Its premature failure;
- Inability to lift the pump during dismantling.
If the well pump gets stuck, its operation will become impossible, and all organizational work on drilling and equipping the well will need to start again.
Stages of work
After selecting equipment, this is the second, very important stage of well configuration.
The pump must be installed in the well below the water level, but no closer than one meter to the bottom, so that during operation of the equipment sand and sedimentary soil, which can accumulate at the bottom of the well over time, are not captured.
Together with the pump, an operational plastic pipe is lowered into the well, through which water will rise, a safety rope and an electrical cable for the pump motor. The cable is secured to the head of the well, and the protected cable and pipe for supplying water are brought into the house. The head is needed to seal the wellhead of the well structure.
When installing equipment, it is necessary to provide for the organization of a check valve that will protect the system from water hammer.
The water pipeline from the caisson to the house must be laid in advance in the ground at a depth of at least one and a half meters, below the freezing level.
Before installing a well pump, you need to thoroughly clean the well, pump it, pump out water until the well is cleared of sand and excess particles. Then the well pump is lowered into the well, a start-up protection device is installed, and adjustment work is carried out. If the equipment does not have a non-return valve provided by the manufacturer, then to avoid back pressure of water it is installed immediately after installing the pump. After solving organizational issues, the pressure in the pressure tank is regulated, its calculated value is 0.9 units from the switching pressure. Having adjusted this indicator, connect the well pump.
Another important advantage of borehole pumps is the fact that the water they pump simultaneously cools the engine, which protects it from overheating during long-term operation. The presence of a float switch in the pump will ensure automatic shutdown of the equipment in the event of a sharp drop below the permissible water level. The main disadvantage of borehole pumps is the technological complexity of carrying out preventive and repair work.
Regardless of the parameters of the selected pump, during installation it is necessary to verify its operating point in various modes; measure the estimated water supply flow rate, which is determined by the rate at which the volume is filled; Based on the readings of the pressure gauge, the pressure created and current consumption are measured using special current forceps.
If the operating parameters are exceeded (in comparison with the manufacturer’s original data), it is necessary to close the pump valve at the well outlet, thus creating additional resistance, which will be sufficient to correctly set the operating point. When installing a well pump, it is necessary to install a starter with protection and set it to the calculated current value.
Video
This story will tell you about the assembly of a pump group for a submersible pump.
We bring to your attention a video that will tell you about some aspects of installing the pump.
And this video will tell you what to do if the pump gets stuck in the well.