Protecting submersible pumps through the dry season
Simple steps to stop dry running and keep your submersible pump reliable through the hottest months.
The one failure to design against
The single biggest risk to a submersible pump is running dry. These pumps rely on the water around them to cool the motor. When the water level drops below the intake and the pump keeps running, the motor overheats and can fail within minutes. The good news is that this failure is almost entirely preventable.
Why dry running happens
During the dry season, wells and cisterns draw down faster than usual. A pump that ran fine all winter can suddenly find itself pumping air at the peak of summer demand. Without protection, it will keep trying until the motor burns out.
Fit a protection device
A dry running sensor or a float switch is inexpensive and solves the problem directly. It cuts power to the pump before the water runs out, then allows it to restart once the level recovers. For most installations this single device is the difference between a pump that lasts for years and one that fails in a single hot week.
An annual pre summer check
Before the peak draw begins, it is worth a short inspection. Confirm that the protection device is working, check the control box and the cabling for damage, and test the non return valve so water does not drain back down the pipe between cycles. Each of these is quick to check and costly to ignore.
Set the pump at the right depth
A submersible pump should sit deep enough to stay submerged through the season, but not so deep that it draws in sand and sediment from the bottom. If your water table shifts a lot through the year, ask about the correct seasonal depth for your well.
Listen and watch
Pumps often warn you before they fail. Frequent cycling, a drop in pressure, or a change in sound can all signal that the water level is low or that something needs attention. Acting on those early signs is far cheaper than replacing a burned out motor.
We can help
If you are not sure whether your pump is protected or set at the right depth, our service team can check it and fit the right safeguards before the dry season arrives.