Pressure Switch For Well Pump Adjustment 101

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Mattias

If you notice that the water supply from your well water system has a low pressure, then it’s time to adjust its pressure settings to a higher pressure level, and vice versa. 

The well pump pressure switch comes with a factory setting that you can easily adjust to your desired pressure level, but if you do not know how to go about it, the adjustment process might seem like a hard nut to crack.   

So, if you are one of those who are finding it difficult to properly adjust your well pump pressure switch, then this article is for you.

In this article, I will be showing you the step-by-step procedures you can carry out to adjust your pressure switch. 

Let’s get right into it. 

Pressure Switch For Well Pump Adjustment

To understand the well pressure switch’s pressure reading and how to adjust it properly, you must first understand its operating points.

Pressure switches are designed with two operating points: the cut-out pressure (also known as the cut-off pressure point) and the cut-in pressure point (also known as the cut-on pressure point).

The cut-in point is the lower pressure point that, when reached, the well water pump turns on, while the cut-off point is the high-pressure point that, when reached, the water pump of your well system turns off. 

Note: The pressure range between the cut-in pressure point and cut-off pressure point should be 20 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI), so if, for example, your cut-off pressure setting is 50 PSI, then ensure that the cut-in pressure level is set to 30, to maintain the 20 PSI differential, and so forth. 

Haven looked at the operating points of the well pressure switch and the level at they should be set. Let’s look at how to adjust the pump switch to fit your desired pressure points. 

Read also: How Fast Does Well Water Replenish? An Easy Explanation

How To Adjust Your Well Water Pump Pressure Switch

Before making adjustments to your pump pressure switch settings, ensure that you first switch off your water pump from the power supply to avoid electrocution and possible damage to your water pump and pressure switch. 

After turning off your water pump, use a screwdriver to loosen the small nut on the cover of the pressure switch holding it in place and remove it. 

The removal of the cover of the pressure switch will give you access to the two spring-loaded nuts you will use for pressure switch adjustment. 

These nuts are in two sizes: the large nut and the small nut. 

The larger nut is the pressure range nut — you can use it to regulate the pressure range of the switch, while the smaller nut is the differential nut — you can use it to control the differentials between the cut-off level and the cut-on level. 

You can increase the cut-in range by using a 3/8 nut driver to turn the large nut clockwise and turn it counterclockwise to decrease it. 

Note: Any change you make to your cut-on value is automatically applied to your cut-off value, so there is no need to adjust it. 

Also, you can increase the differential between the cut-on and cut-off levels by using a nut driver to turn the small nut clockwise and turn the nut counterclockwise to decrease it. 

Next, monitor your water pump’s functions and ensure it works according to the pressure level to which you have adjusted the switch.

Note: You can only check if the pump is functioning at your adjusted settings after it has attained its cut-off pressure point and shut down.

After that, you can monitor how the pressure switch functions and the points on the pressure gauge where the pump shuts off and resets and ensure it moves according to your desired settings.

If you notice that it isn’t working according to the pressure settings you used, then carry out these procedures again and readjust the pump pressure switch.   

However, if you follow these steps and readjust your pressure switch settings repeatedly but don’t see any changes in your well water pressure, then you are dealing with pressure switch problems. 

Read also: 5 Ways To Reset A Well Pump Pressure Switch Without A Lever

Things To Keep In Mind While Adjusting Your Well Pump Pressure Switch

• Endeavor to use a 3/8 nut driver to turn the nuts. 

• Adjusting the pressure range nuts doesn’t change the value of the differentials. 

• Adjust the larger nuts — cut-in valve — before adjusting the smaller nuts — differentials.

• Tightening the pressure range nut increases the capacity of the cut-in pressure point. 

• Any change you make to your cut-on value is automatically applied to your cut-off value, so there is no need to adjust it. 

• A complete turn of either of the nuts equals 2 to 3 PSI, so calculate how many times you turn it, to move precisely to your desired set point. 

• You can only check if the pump is functioning at your adjusted settings after it has attained its cut-off pressure point and shut down.

After that, you can monitor the movement on the pressure gauge and ensure it moves according to your desired settings.

Read also: How To Chlorinate a Well – Step By Step Guide

Pressure Switch For Well Pump Adjustment Summary 

In this article, I have explained the step-by-step procedures you can follow to properly adjust the pressure switch settings of your water pump system. 

After going through this guide, hopefully, you can now adjust the settings of the pump pressure switch on your own the next time your well water isn’t supplying the water pressure you desire.