4
Electrical Installation
Electrical service for any sump pump installation must be grounded and separately fused
or breakered directly from the entrance box with a single grounding type receptacle at the
pump. The receptacle should not be less than four feet above the basement floor for
safety reasons. You should never touch a sump pump or discharge piping while the pump
is connected to electrical power and water is present. The pump should be disconnected
from the electrical source before handling in all cases.
Discharge Piping Installation
To assure the maximum performance from your sump pump, the discharge pipe size and
piping fittings should not be smaller than the discharge port of the pump. Smaller pipe will
add to friction losses and reduce the capacity of the pump. Normally accepted materials
are galvanized pipe, rigid plastic pipe, or acceptable flexible pipe or hose. A piece of
flexible hose between the pump discharge and the discharge piping will provide for ease
in alignment, reduce vibration and noise, and will act as a union when it is necessary to
remove the pump. Where the discharge pipe is long, a check valve is often employed to
prevent the water from flowing back into the sump when the pump turns off. If the
discharge is directed into a sanitary sewer, a suitable anti-siphon device or a free flow
check valve should be inserted in the line to prevent backflow into the pit. Sump pumps
are not designed to handle raw sewage (see “Septic Tank Installation” on
attempt to adapt one for this type of application. A sewage ejector pump especially
designed to handle solids must be used.
Pump Installation
When the sump, electrical and discharge plumbing installation is complete and ready for
the pump, clean all solid debris from the pit. Complete the plumbing connection to the
pump and then plug the pump into the electrical outlet. A few extra minutes to test the
sump pump installation are now in order. Fill the sump with water, note the turn on and
turn off level of the pump, and the pumping cycle. This will allow you to calculate the
approximate discharge flow of the pump system. If everything is operating properly, install
the sump cover.
Pump Selection
The pump should be of sufficient capacity and head to satisfy anticipated use
requirements.
Basement perimeter water intrusion varies by area and region. Typically a 1/3 HP or 1/2
HP DRAINAGE PUMP WILL EVACUATE MOST HOME SUMP PITS. Commercial and
industrial drainage applications require that calculations of pumping volume and pumping
head be performed to determine the proper size pump is applied.
NOTE:
Pumping volume may vary seasonally due to rainfall and area run-off.