Installing a Deep Well Submersible Pump: Step by Step

Most early failures of deep well pumps start during installation. These are the steps we recommend, in the order you will do them.

Before the pump goes near the well

1. Check the well: its inside diameter, the static water level, the depth, and whether the power supply matches the motor.
2. Turn the pump by hand. It should turn freely with no tight spots. If pump and motor were shipped apart, join them with the coupling and tighten the set screws.
3. If the motor is water-filled, open the vent and filling plugs and fill it completely with clean water, make sure it is really full, then refit the plugs and check for leaks. Oil-filled motors, such as those on our 100QJ pumps, must not be filled with water.
4. Measure the motor insulation with a 500 V megger.
5. Fit the protection switch and starter, and start the motor for no more than a second to check the direction of rotation. If it is wrong, swap any two supply phases. Only do this check after pouring water into the pump outlet until it runs out of the inlet.

Setting depth

• The pump inlet must be at least 1 m below the lowest (dynamic) water level
• Do not set the pump more than 70 m below the static water level
• Keep the bottom of the motor at least 1 m above the bottom of the well

Lowering the pump

1. Bolt the first pipe to the pump outlet, clamp it with a pipe clamp, lift the pump and lower it until the clamp rests on the well head.
2. Clamp the next pipe, lift it, and bolt it to the first with a rubber gasket, tightening the bolts across corners. Remove the lower clamp and lower the string. Repeat until all the pipe is in.
3. Fix the cable in the groove of each pipe flange and tie it at every pipe, taking care not to damage it.
4. If the pump sticks on the way down, work it free gently. Never force it, and never send anyone down the well.
5. Fit the bend, the valve and the outlet, with gaskets at each joint.

Starting method

Motors up to 15 kW are normally started direct on line. Above 15 kW, use a reduced-voltage starter. Install the control panel with a voltmeter, an ammeter and indicator lamps, in a dry place in the pump house.