Narrow angle float switches will move a relatively shorter distance before they engage the system. These types of float switches can be used if a fair amount of change in fluid level is acceptable or to be expected. A wide-angle float switch has to move a relatively far distance to engage the system. The ball will then push on the internal components of the float switch and cause the circuit to open or close.įloat switches can also come in the wide angle or narrow angle varieties. As the fluid level changes, the ball will roll within the float switch. A mechanical float switch will contain a ball bearing. The second type of mechanism is more mechanical in nature. The mercury within the float switch will move as the fluid level changes, and that movement with open or close the system. There are two general types of mechanisms that a float switch may use to close the electrical circuit. This system may be used when the user needs the fluid level in a system to be above a minimum height Normally closed means current will flow with a low fluid level, and current will not flow when the fluid level is high. The closed circuit will turn on the effluent pump and return the effluent to the desired height.Ī normally closed float switch will operate in reverse of a normally open float switch. The rising effluent level will lift up the float switch and cause the circuit to close. A typical septic system will want to pump out effluent when too much of it builds up in the tank. This orientation makes the normally open float switch a good fit for most septic systems. A normally open system will have a closed circuit when the water level is high. This means the circuit is effectively turned off when the fluid level is low. This means that float switches in septic systems will spend a lot of time in the down position waiting to detect a high-water level.Ī normally open float switch will open a circuit when it is in the normal position. Septic systems typically want to close a circuit and turn on a pump when the fluid level gets to a certain height. A float switch will hang down from where it is mounted when the fluid level is low. The normal position of a float switch is hanging down. There are a few terms that will tell you if a float switch will close a circuit if it is in the up or down position. The upward orientation will typically cause a float switch to close, but the direction in which a float switch closes depends on the specific float switch. This means that the float switch will go from facing downwards to facing upwards. As fluid levels rise, a float switch will be lifted up with the water level. On the other hand, an open circuit is one that will not allow current to pass through the components. A closed circuit means that electricity is able to flow through the circuit’s components and power them. Their primary use is to close a circuit when the fluid level reaches a particular height or depth. Because of this, they damage the float, so that is why it is necessary to change the float switch at the same time.įloat switches are an addition to an electrical circuit that allows for autonomous detection of fluid levels. The old pump on the system would have pulled more amps due to age as they get older they start drawing more amps and eventually that's why they fail. Pump duty floats should always be changed when a new pump is installed if not you run the risk of ruining your new pump. Pump floats have an amp rating of 13-15 amps and have a lock amp rotor rating of 50-96 amps. The electrical charge that powers the pump runs through the float switch. Pump duty or pump floats are wired directly to the pump wires and are designed to take on the amp load of a pump motor running. The basics of the operation are the float come up closing contacts and that in turn hit the relay switch which enables and takes the load of whatever was turned on. The control duty floats or sensor floats have a maximum amp rage rating of five amps and are mercury activated. They are wired directly to the control panel, and then the control panel has a relay that activates anything that needs to be done. There are a couple of different float switches, and they serve various functions.We will go over that briefly below.Ĭontrol duty floats control alarms, and pumps in some cases and are not directly tied to the pump. Float switches are an integral part of your septic system they tell your septic pump to turn on and off, they also let you know when there is a problem and the water level is too high.