How To Wire A 220 Well Pressure Switch for 2 & 3- Wiring

by Jack Grover
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How To Wire A 220 Well Pressure Switch

Many homeowners do everything in their power to avoid incurring extra costs that come with enlisting professional help. The best way to make it happen is to tackle relatively simple tasks, such as wiring a well pressure switch, yourself.

But how to wire a 220 well pressure switch during installation or troubleshooting?

First and foremost, you should familiarize yourself with the wiring diagram inside the switch box and follow the necessary steps for appropriate wiring. Be cautious throughout the process, as pumps operate on dangerously high voltage.

Maintenance demands a thorough understanding of each step and the overall procedure. If you’re unsure about any part of it, don’t hesitate to call for professional support. By observing an expert adjust the wire set, you can gain better insight into the technique.

This write-up serves as a helpful reference when interpreting the procedure and improving your understanding of well pressure switch wiring.

How to Wire a 220 Well Pressure Switch

To start working on your 220v well pressure switch, you’ll need to turn off the pump’s main power supply. So, locate the breaker circuit of your well and shut it off.

Next, verify which type of wire system your pump has. If you’re replacing an old switch, it would be best to take a picture of the wiring and release the pressure in the tank.

You might need a few basic tools like a screwdriver, wire strippers, fork connectors, crimps, etc. Still, you can start without them and use the tools you have close by.

There are two types of pressure switches. Here is how to find which one you have:

  • Two-Wire Pump Pressure Switch: If the wire duct from your motor doesn’t branch and goes straight to the pressure switch, it’s a two-wire switch.
  • Three-Wire Pump Pressure Switch: If the wire duct from your motor goes through a control box before the pressure switch, it’s a three-wire switch.

Steps for Wiring a Two-Wire Pressure Switch

two wire pressure switch

If you have a two-wire system, follow this step-by-step well pump wiring guide. Read each step carefully, then do as instructed.

  1. Ensure you have switched off the power to the pump. Check the power wire from the panel with a tester or voltmeter. If there’s no sign of electricity, move on to the next step.
  2. Extract the remaining water from the pump using a garden hose, faucet, etc. Doing this will release pressure from the system.
  3. Locate the holder of your switch box. If you want to replace the previous one, taking a photo of your old wiring setting will help you set up the new one. You can also use a marker to label them.
  4. Determine the cut-in pressure of your new switch. Make sure to lower the air pressure in your pump 2 PSI below the cut-in pressure.
  5. Attach the switch box and put the wire conduit ends inside the box through the feeding holes on the side walls. Forkhead and hook wire tips are easier to connect. Conversely, if you have regular wire tips, clip a half-inch insulator and twirl it clockwise on specific screws according to the well pump wiring diagram.
  6. Now, to connect the wiring with the switch, you need to determine each wire and where it should be connected. First, confirm you have power supply wires. Then, connect them with Line Terminals or “1 and 4” terminals. The wires are interchangeable.
  7. Connect the green ground wire coming from the power circuit to the ground screw fixed to the bottom of the box.
  8. Connect the motor wires to the Load Terminals or “2 and 3” terminals. Again, there is no problem if you mix these up. These terminals are also interchangeable.
  9. After that, attach the remaining ground wires to the bottom screws. Make sure your motor is grounded to avoid any injury to you or your pump system.
  10. To ensure the feeder hole of the box is closed well enough, you can use a rubber or cork band on conduit tips.
  11. Confirm all the wire connections are sturdy enough and resist moderate pull pressure. Also, prevent them from touching each other.
  12. Shape the wire outlets to make putting the cover on easier. Close the switch cover carefully and tighten the screws with a screwdriver.
  13. Turn the power back on the breaker and operate the pump for a few minutes to test its stability.

You did it, and now you know how to wire a pressure switch. Bravo!

Steps for Wiring a Three-Wire Well Pressure Switch

three wire well pressure switch

If you have a three-wire system, you should follow a similar process to the one described above.

  1. After verifying your pressure switch has no voltage at the outlet from the breaker, place the new switch in place of the old one and attach it firmly.
  2. Your motor has red, black, and yellow insulation-covered wires for a three-wire system. Connect them to the R, B, and Y control box circuits, respectively. Then connect the green ground wire to a ground screw.
  3. Attach the power supply connection to the L1 and L2 ports. You can connect the wires interchangeably, so you needn’t worry about mixing them up.
  4. Connect the ground wire to the green ground screw.
  5. Jam outlet holes with rubber or cork to avoid water splash.
  6. Double-check the connections. Then arrange the wire outlets so that you can attach the cover easily.
  7. After attaching the cover, switch on the motor power on the breaker panel, and test run it for a few minutes.

Your pump is ready to run again! Give yourself a pat on the back.

This Video Will Help You Too!

Final Thoughts

We understand the importance of keeping your equipment in tip-top shape, which is why we’ve created this step-by-step tutorial to guide you through the process of wiring a 220 well pressure switch.

Whether you need to replace an old pressure switch or install a new one, our tutorial will help you accomplish the task.

For those unfamiliar with electrical wiring, this guide provides an opportunity to learn some valuable skills in a practical and easy-to-follow manner. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll feel more confident in handling similar projects in the future.

Remember, practice makes perfect. So don’t hesitate to try your hand at this task and refer back to our guide as needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you wire a deep well pressure switch?

The deep well pressure switch must be connected as per the wiring diagram for the well pump pressure switch. Usually, there is a wiring instruction paper inside the switch box cover. Follow our easy guide to wire your pressure switch safely.

Where do the wires go on a pressure switch?

The wires from the breaker box go to “1 and 4” or L1 or L2 terminals. For a 2-wire system, the wires from the motor go to Load or “2 and 3” terminals. The wires go to R, Y, and B control box circuits for a three-wire system.

Can you wire a pressure switch wrong?

Mixing up the two-wire ports for power supply wires (coming from the breaker panel) among themselves or motor connection wires will be no problem. But be sure the hot wires (power supply wires) are connected to “1 and 4” terminals and the motor wires on “3 and 4 terminals.”

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