Well Pump Terms

Understanding well pump lingo makes selecting one easier

Selecting a well pump can be overwhelming, especially if you aren't certain about some of the terms and phrases you hear. Taking the time to review some popular well pump terms will enable you to make a more informed decision.

Start with the basics

Before you attempt to learn any well pump terms it's important to start with a clear understanding of what a well pump is. The simplest definition of a well pump is a system designed to remove water from a well. However, the well pump's job isn't that simple.

A well pump is part of a larger water system. Once the well pump has removed the water from the well it also must transfer it to the appropriate pipes.

   
Common well pump terms

These are some of the common terms associated with well pumps and well pump parts.

Well seal: Designed to protect the well pump from dirt, rodents, and insects, this cap or plug covers the portion of the well pump casing that is exposed. 

Torque stop: Also known as a torque preventer or torque arrester, this device offsets the torque created by the motor in an effort to prevent the well pump pipe from twisting. The torque stopper also stabilizes the pipe and wires in the well pump.

Check valves: This one-way valve prevents well pump and motor failure by holding the water when the well pump stops. Check valves are an easy and inexpensive way to extend the life of a well pump.

Pressure switch: This is simply the on and off switch for the well pump. When the water is below a certain pressure the system activates the well pump's pressure switch in order to refill the tank. It switches off when the well pump has pumped a certain amount of water or reaches a certain pressure.

Pressure gauge: This devise indicates what pressure or amount of water will turn the well pump on and off. It also provides a reading of the current amount of pressure in the water system.  Pressure gauges can be used to determine if your well pump and water system are working correctly.

Types of well pumps

There are essentially two types of well pumps available.

Jet pump: This type of well pump is used above ground. A jet pump operates by creating a vacuum that pulls or lifts the water into the pipes.

Submersible well pumps: Just like it sounds, these well pumps are submerged into the well. Unlike jet pumps, submersible well pumps use pressure to essentially push the water out of the well and into the water system.

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