What is a pump controller?
A pump controller, also called an automatic pump switch or digital pressure switch, starts and stops the pump based on the water pressure in the pipes. It replaces the mechanical pressure switch and protects the pump against running dry and overcurrent. Full guide to pump controllers
When does the pump start and stop?
Every time a shower or tap is opened, the pressure in the pipes drops, and the pressure sensor reports it to the controller. When pressure falls to 1.5 bar the pump starts softly, and when it climbs back to 3 bar it stops. These are HYDROSET's factory settings and can be changed with parameters F2 and F1. While a shower is running, the pump can't reach 3 bar, so it keeps running. Once the shower is turned off, pressure reaches 3 bar and the pump stops. If the pump reaches its stop pressure and switches off in the middle of use, the pressure in the apartment keeps going up and down. Why does the pump keep switching on and off?
What does the check valve do?
When the pump stops, the check valve closes so water can't flow back to the tank. That keeps the pressure in the pipes, and the pump stays off until the next use.
What does error E3 mean?
Water isn't reaching the pump. A pump running dry draws very little current, and the ammeter shows it. If the current stays below 1 A for 20 seconds, the controller stops the pump and the red light comes on. When water comes back, the unit tries the pump again by itself. E3: causes and fixes
What does error E1 mean?
The pump is drawing more current than it should, usually because it has seized or the impeller is stuck. The motor heats up and, if it goes on, burns out. When the current goes above F3 (the current on the pump's nameplate), the controller stops the pump. After the fault is fixed, the error is cleared with the cancel button. E1: causes and fixes
Why do upper floors get less pressure?
Each floor takes about 0.3 bar off the water pressure. The controller shows the pressure in the pump room, so the fourth floor gets about 1 bar less than that.
What are the parts of a pump controller?
An electronic board, a pressure sensor, a display and setting buttons. The sensor is fitted on the pipe after the check valve and connected to the unit by a cable. Mains power goes into the controller, and the controller powers the pump.
How is a pump controller installed?
It takes the place of the mechanical pressure switch, so the plumbing stays as it is. It works with or without a pressure tank; the tank just means the pump starts less often for small draws. Installing and wiring a pump controller
How do you set a pump controller?
A digital controller has no adjusting screw; the start and stop pressures are changed with the buttons on the unit or with the phone app. On HYDROSET, F2 is the start pressure and F1 the stop pressure. F1 must be lower than the highest pressure the pump can make, or the pump will never stop. User manual · Setup app
How many floors is it suitable for?
The model is set by the current on the pump's nameplate. As a rule of thumb, PM821-8 suits buildings of 1 to 4 floors and PM821-16 buildings of 5 to 10 floors.
Pros and cons compared with a pressure switch
More accurate pressure, soft start and stop, the pump is cut off when it runs dry or draws too much current, and error codes on the display. On the other hand it costs more than a mechanical switch, and F3 has to be set to the pump's current.
Do other controllers work the same way?
Yes. Smart controllers from Oust, Himatek, Shimjeh, Jahan and Hydrocheck work the same way. In general, every pump controller works from the pressure in the pipeline. Only the error codes differ from brand to brand. Controllers from Pentax, Stream, JCP, LEO and Ebara also start the pump when pressure drops. Where they differ is stopping: some models stop the pump when water stops flowing, not when pressure reaches a set value.