Without a good sump pump switch, your sump pump is practially useless. The sump pump switch is designed to turn on your sump pump when water levels rise to a certain point in the sump pit. If there is a malfunction in the sump pump switch, then the device won't power on. It is imerative that you have a sump pump with a high quality sump pump switch.

There are a number of different kinds of switches for sump pumps.

The majority of sump pumps use a vertical switch. A vertical switch has a float device that is fastened to a rod that will bob when the water level increases or decreased. When the water level increases, the float will rise, pushing the rod up, and turning on the sump pump. As the water decreases, the float and rod will sink back town to their original position and will turn the sump pump off.

Another kind of sump pump switch is the wide angle float switch. This type of switch consists of a float and a cord. When the water rises, the cord will be come taugh, and turn on the switch to start the sump pump.

These switches operate in two stages.

In the first stage, the pump is activated.
In the second stage, the an alarm or backup sump pump is activated. The second stage only happens if the water continues to rise in the sump pit.

There are various configurations of sump pump switch on each sump pump. One might be fastened to the pump itself, while the other might set off an alarm. In either case, it's critical that the pump be activated when water starts to rise in the sump pump pit.

Sump Pump Switch Maintenance

Sump pump maintenance is a critical step in keeping your sump pump running smoothly. Many times the float switch will malfunction from a simple thing that could have been avoided.

Here are some things you'll want check to make sure your sump pump switch is working properly:

Check cords, tethers, and rods to make sure they are not tangled and can move freely.
Check the float and clean if of any debris, residue build up, or anything else that might be weighing it down.
Check for trash, deposits, and other items in the sump pump pit. Any obstructions to the float or pump itself can lead to malfunction.
Test the entire pump by filling the pit with water to see if it turns on.

Sump pump switches get old with time and occationally will just break down. They generally can not be repair, altought you can purchase replacement switches online or at your local hardware store.

A functional sump pump switch is very important to the overall effectiveness of your sump pump. Newer switches on the market are more trustworthy than the old fashioned float based switch. Yet the float switch is a good choice for anyone looking for something basic.

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"