Submersible pumps can add beauty or charm to your pond. It not only filters your water and keeps it moving, but looks good while doing it. Even though it will probably end up in the middle of a small pond in your yard, or a larger one on a golf course, a submersible pump still needs to be used with the utmost of caution.
Once you get it set up, it can provide many hours of flawless service, but you need to follow some basic safety rules while installing it and starting submersible pumps.
1. As with any pump, read the instructions thoroughly. Pumps made by two different companies might look the same, but have different operational protocols. Failure to adhere to correct operational precautions and procedures can result in property damage, personal injury, or even death.
2. Before installing or servicing any pump, but especially a submersible one, make sure that any power source is disconnected. Water, electricity, and living beings don’t go well together.
3. Put the pump in a fully-developed and screened well to prevent transporting sand and other abrasives through the pump. While a submersible pump will pump sand, it can significantly lower the life of the pump if it has to handle abrasives on a regular basis.
4. If you put the pump in a well, always make sure that it is positioned so that the well doesn’t run dry. The pump cannot run dry, and if it does it will cause major damage to the pump. Motors can run dry for short periods of time, but will heat up very quickly and if left to run dry, will burn out.
5. For those who live in colder areas, always protect the pump, piping, and system from freezing. Shut the pump down if you are about to get a deep freeze, and wait until the water thaws to turn the pump back on.
6. Don’t use a submersible pump in a swimming pool.
7. Make sure the pump has a ground fault interrupter protected circuit (RCD). This should be done for any electrical device that is being operated in or near water.
8. Hire a qualified electrician to provide the electrical power to the motor. The line voltage and frequency should always match the specifications printed on the motor. Leads and ground wires must be securely connected and waterproof. The motor should always be properly grounded before turning it on, even for a test.
9. Remember to disconnect the power before examination or servicing.