Well pump repair services glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a Well Pump Repair provider in Bonner County , Idaho.

What are pump horsepower and voltage ratings?: Horsepower (HP) measures a pump motor's power capacity to lift and move water, while voltage rating (115V or 230V) indicates the electrical supply the motor requires to operate.
What is a check valve?: A one-way valve that allows water to flow in one direction through a pump line while preventing backflow or siphoning when the pump stops.
What is a constant pressure system?: A constant pressure system automatically adjusts pump speed via a variable frequency drive to hold water pressure steady at a preset level, eliminating pressure fluctuations as demand varies.
What is a control box?: A control box is an electrical enclosure that contains a start capacitor and relay to control power delivery and starting sequences for three-wire submersible well pump motors.
What is a drop pipe?: A drop pipe is the conduit that delivers water from a submersible pump located in the well up to the surface where it connects to the pressure tank and distribution lines.
What is a foot valve?: A foot valve is a one-way check valve mounted at the bottom of the suction line in a jet pump system that prevents water from flowing backward and maintains the pump's prime.
What is a jet pump?: A jet pump is an above-ground centrifugal pump that uses an ejector (venturi device) to create suction and draw water from wells, typically used for shallow wells under 25 feet or deep wells up to 110 feet.
What is a pitless adapter?: A pitless adapter is a fitting that routes water from a submersible pump through the well casing below the frost line, connecting the drop pipe to the buried discharge line without requiring an above-ground pump pit.
What is a pressure switch?: A pressure switch is an automatic control device that turns a well pump on and off in response to changes in system water pressure, typically set to cut in at a lower pressure and cut out at a higher pressure.
What is a pressure tank?: A pressure tank is a vessel that stores pressurized water and air to maintain steady water pressure in a well system and reduce how often the pump turns on.
What is a pump cycle?: A pump cycle is one complete on-off operation of a well pump, beginning when pressure drops to trigger the pump's start switch and ending when pressure rises to trigger the shutoff switch.
What is a start capacitor?: A start capacitor is an electrical component that provides extra torque to a well pump motor at startup, disconnecting automatically once the motor reaches operating speed.
What is a submersible well pump?: A submersible well pump is a sealed motor and pump assembly lowered into a well casing to draw and force water to the surface, unlike surface pumps which sit outside the well.
What is a tank bladder?: A tank bladder is the flexible rubber membrane inside a pressure tank that separates the pressurized air charge from the water storage chamber, allowing the tank to absorb pressure fluctuations from the pump cycle.
What is a variable frequency drive (VFD)?: A variable frequency drive (VFD) is an electronic device that adjusts the speed of an electric motor to match the demand for water flow, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption in well pump systems.
What is a waterlogged tank?: A waterlogged tank is a well pressure tank that has lost its air cushion and become completely filled with water, leaving no compressed air to help regulate water pressure in your system.
What is cut-in and cut-out pressure?: Cut-in pressure is the lower pressure point where a well pump starts; cut-out pressure is the higher point where it stops. Standard residential settings in Idaho are typically 30/50 psi or 40/60 psi.
What is drawdown?: Drawdown is the distance a water level drops in a well from its static level when the pump is running.
What is pump amp draw?: Amp draw is the electrical current a well pump pulls from its motor during operation, measured in amperes and compared against the motor's rated specifications to detect mechanical or electrical problems.
What is short cycling in a well pump system?: Short cycling is the rapid, repetitive on-and-off operation of a well pump that occurs abnormally frequently, typically within minutes or seconds of each cycle.
What is static water level?: The depth of water in a well when the pump is off and the water is at rest, measured from ground surface to the water surface.
What is two-wire vs three-wire pump?: Two-wire pumps use a pressure switch that directly controls power on and off, while three-wire pumps use a separate control box to manage power relay switching and pressure sensor signals.
What is well casing?: Well casing is the steel or PVC pipe installed inside a borehole to prevent collapse, maintain well structure, and protect groundwater from contamination.
What is well yield (GPM)?: Well yield is the volume of water, measured in gallons per minute, that a well can supply consistently without dropping the water level too far.