A sump pump is a necessity for any homeowner with a basement. Sump pumps remove water from your basement to an outside location to prevent flooding from occurring. The sump pump float switch is the most critical components of any sump pump.

How Does a Float Switch Work

A sump pump float switch is the part of the device that floats and turns the sump pump on when water rises. Here are the general steps to a float switch activation:

water in the sump pump pit begins to rise
the float ball rises with the water
the float ball reaches a specific point
the sump pump turns on
water is pumped out of the pit keeping your basement dry

As you can see, the float switch plays a critical role. If for some reason the float switch malfunctions, the pump won't turn on and your basement will flood, unless you have an alternative sump pump backup system.

Types of Float Switches

The most high end float switch on the market is the diaphragm float switch. It is typically used by professionals for industrial sump pumps and is by far the most expensive. The diaphragm switch is compatible with submersible sump pumps that are contained underwater. As the water level begins to rise, pressure will push the diaphragm inward, creating a concave effect, and will trigger the sump pump to turn on.

Another good choice for a float switch is the vertical action float switch. It is less expensive than the diaphragm switch but still is made to quality standards. This switch is designed with a ball float that will goes up with the water level, finally turning on the pump when it reaches a particular point.

The most common type of float switch is the tethered float switch and is generally used with a pedestal pump. The float ball is tethered to the pedestal pump and floats on the water. When the water rises, so does the float, triggering the pump to turn on. This pump is the least expensive but suffers from some reoccurring problems. The float can get coated with debris causing it to sink or stuck in the basin causing the pump to remain in the off position.

The float switch is a valuable piece to your sump pump. You should check the float device periodically (at least once a year) to make sure it's working properly. If there is damage to the float device, learn how to repair a sump pump.

Little Giant 9EH-CIA-RFS, 4/10 HP, 70 GPM - Automatic Submersible Sump Effluent Pump w/ Remote Float Switch, 20' power cord (509350)

Little Giant 9EH-CIA-RFS, 4/10 HP, 70 GPM - Automatic Submersible Sump Effluent Pump w/ Remote Float Switch, 20' power cord (509350) Eliminator® Series Sump/Effluent Pumps - 9EH The Model 9EH Series De-watering and Effluent pumps are especially designed for residential and light to medium commercial use. Pumps feature a 1-1/2" discharge with head capacity to 32', glass-filled nylon cover and ABS base. Little Giant 9EH-CIA-RFS, 4/10 HP, 70 GPM - Automatic Submersible Sump Effluent Pump w/ Remote Float Switch, 20' power cord (509350) Features: • Handles liquids and solid waste materials up to 3/4" diameter • Cast iron pump housing with protective epoxy coating for corrosion resistance • Oil-filled motor housing for lifetime lubrication and rapid heat dissipation • Stainless steel screws, bolts and handle and seal assembly • Mechanical seals (stainless steel spring, nitrile parts, carbon and ceramic faces) • Bearings: Upper Sintered Sleave Bearing and Lower Ball Bearing • Thermal overload protection • Manual or Automatic operation • Automatic operation has 9 to 14 "On" level and 2 to 6 "Off" level range with Piggyback mechanical floatswitch Little Giant 9EH-CIA-RFS, 4/10 HP, 70 GPM - Automatic Submersible Sump Effluent Pump w/ Remote Float Switch, 20' power cord (509350) Specifications: • Horsepower 4/10 • Flow 70 GPM @ 5' of Head • Cord Length 20' • Shut Off 32' • Voltage 115 • Hertz 60 • Amps 13 • Watts 1000 • Weight 27 lbs. • Height 9.3" • Width 9" • Length 11.7"

Little Giant ES33V1-20 , 1/3 HP, 40 GPM @ 10' - Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Energy Saving Pump w/ Vertical Mechanical Float Switch, 20' power cord (5064

Little Giant ES33V1-20 , 1/3 HP, 40 GPM @ 10' - Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Energy Saving Pump w/ Vertical Mechanical Float Switch, 20' power cord (506423) 1/3 HP, Submersible Sump / Effluent Pump The ES33V1-20 pump from Little Giant is an energy-saving, high performance, fully submersible sump / effluent pump, designed for the professional plumbing contractor for use in residential and light commercial applications. Automatic operation is acheived with a piggyback remote vertical mechanical float switch. The ES Series Pumps draw less energy while delivering greater pump flow and overall performance. Uses include basement sumps, excavations, loading docks, construction sites, underground passageways, and other applications requiring high volume water dispersal. Little Giant ES33V1-20 , 1/3 HP, 40 GPM @ 10' - Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Energy Saving Pump w/ Vertical Mechanical Float Switch, 20' power cord (506423) Specifications: • 1/3 HP, 115 Volt, 20' Power Cord • Powerful Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) motor for high starting and running torque, with upper sleeve and lower ball bearings. • 3/8" solids handling capability • Mechanical shaft seal (stainless steel spring, nitrile parts, carbon and ceramic faces) assures maximum protection against pump failure. • Epoxy coated cast iron motor housing for corrosion and rust resistance. • Vortex style, engineered thermoplastic impeller • Oil-filled motor housing for lifetime bearing lubrication and maximum heat dissipation • 1 1/2" FNPT vertical discharge • Automatic operation with piggyback remote vertical mechanical float switch operates pump in approximately 5" of water and shuts pump off in about 2" of water Little Giant ES33V1-20 , 1/3 HP, 40 GPM @ 10' - Automatic Submersible Sump/Effluent Energy Saving Pump w/ Vertical Mechanical Float Switch, 20' power cord (506423) Features: • Horsepower 1/3 • Flow 52 GPM @ 5' of Head • Cord Length 20' • Shut Off 20' • Voltage 115 • Hertz 60 • Amps 5 • Watts 475 • Weight 30 lbs. • Height 9.3" • Width 11.8" • Length 9.8"

Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151)

Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Big John Vertical Sump/Effluent Pump Designed for residential and light to moderate commercial duty. Available with thermal overload protection, corrosion-proof polypropylee volute and adjustable "Snap-Action" Float Switch. Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Features: • 1/3 HP motor • 46 GPM at 5 ft. of head • 17' Max head • 1/4" solids handling • 1 1/4" FNPT discharge • ABS plastic Volute • PVC Impeller • Automatic operation • Automatic float switch activator • Adjustible Switch on, Switch off • 8 ft. power cord Little Giant VS-P2800, 1/3 HP, 46 GPM - Automatic Vertical Sump Pump w/ snap action Float Switch, 8' power cord (547151) Features: • Flow 2800GPM @ 5' • Cord Length 8' • Shut Off 17' • Voltage 115 • Hertz 60 • Amps 4 • Watts 316 • Weight 16 lbs. • Height 31.2" • Width 9.6" • Length 9.6"