Home plumbing: choosing a control cabinet. Pump control cabinet - what is it and when should it be installed? Deep well pump control cabinet purpose

There are several types of pumping units, each of which solves specific problems. There are installations for hot and cold water supply systems, for heating and air conditioning, for fire extinguishing systems, sewage systems and other areas of application. After installation and completion of the test report pumping equipment, it can operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Service life varies from 7 to 25 years, depending on the application. To extend the service life of pumping equipment, control cabinets are used. They control the electric drives of pumping units.

The control cabinets are designed in such a way that it is possible to coordinate the operation of the equipment both automatically and manually. They help monitor changes in the operation of pump systems, allowing you to use it as efficiently as possible. If operating modes are selected optimally, the risks of malfunctions are reduced, energy consumption is reduced, and the overall service life is increased.

The most common are 2 types of cabinets: relay and frequency controlled. The first type of automation is used in heat supply systems, hot and cold water supply. This equipment can be used to control several types of pumps at once: booster, well, make-up and circulation. If we are talking about ventilation systems, then relay automation is used to coordinate the operation of asynchronous fan motors.

Relay controlled cabinets

The controls of this equipment control the correct phase rotation so that they do not disappear. The process of voltage change is also monitored. Connecting a pressure switch makes it possible to avoid accidental operation of the pumping station in the absence of water. Thanks to stopping the electric motors and smooth starting, the absence of water hammer is guaranteed.

SDS is a Russian manufacturer of industrial pumping equipment. It is engaged in the production and supply of its products throughout the Russian Federation. We are developing optimal projects for each client according to his needs.

All these advantages of operating a control cabinet with a frequency converter not only significantly save resources, but also reduce the cost of operating and repairing pumping equipment. In addition, it allows you to reduce energy costs by 30%.

SDS company produces pumping units for hot and cold water supply systems, for heating and air conditioning, for fire extinguishing systems and for sewerage. Another activity of the company is the production of automatic cabinets. From us you can purchase high-quality cabinets with branded components from leading global manufacturers. We guarantee high performance, functionality and reliability of our equipment. In addition, upon agreement, our company modernizes pumping equipment, which also extends its service life.

Having drilled for summer cottage well and having installed a water supply system with a submersible pump, you involuntarily ask the question: how to make the pump work more productively, last longer and have several operating modes? In addition, it would be nice to automate the water supply process, especially if there are two or more pumps. The solution is simple: install switchboard or pump control cabinet.

Purpose and functions of control cabinets

Main purpose distribution structures– management electric motors pumps of any type: drainage, submersible, well.

The drain pump control diagram shows the options for adjusting one, two and three drain pumps

Without a submersible pump, the operation of heating, water supply, and fire extinguishing systems is impossible, and a drainage pump control cabinet is necessary to automate the pumping of liquid.

If you have no experience working with control cabinets, it is better to entrust configuration and commissioning to a specialist

By installing a control cabinet for a well pump, the owner of the house will find rest and peace, since the operation of the equipment will then be controlled by electronic “stuffing”.

Will be secured and smooth safe start electric motor, and regulation frequency converter. Parameters such as pressure, water level and temperature will also be monitored.

This diagram clearly shows where the pump control cabinet should be located and how it is combined with the water supply system

If a control cabinet for two pumps is used, its functions are even wider:

    • V emergency situation with one pump, he quickly connects the second, backup one;
    • evens out the wear of units by regulating their shift work;
    • when one of the mechanisms is idle, it prevents it from silting;
    • makes it possible to manually block one of the pumps;
    • contains control programs for two or more units;

provides information on each mechanism separately.

The diagram shows the interaction between the control panel and well pump with accompanying equipment

Standard composition of distribution cabinets

Depending on the number of units being serviced, the product may have different contents. For example, let's take a control cabinet for submersible pumps with asynchronous motors alternating current.

The dimensions of the cabinet depend on its contents and functions. Metal carcass installed on the wall or floor

Components:

    • external control panel;
    • controls (buttons, switches) of the system;
    • a frequency converter;
    • water pressure meter (for automatically regulating the operation of mechanisms depending on its level);
    • protection against “dry running”;
    • light signaling (light bulbs);
    • switches to protect the motor and frequency converter;
    • two load control modes: manual and automatic;

thermal relay.

Layout of components of a cabinet regulating the operation of one pump

Although the cabinet also requires manual control, most of the time it should operate in automatic mode.

When auto mode starts, the frequency converter smoothly drives the submersible pump motor until the water pressure reaches the set parameter. When active water extraction stops, the frequency decreases and the pump stops.

Custom control cabinets

Many manufacturers of pumps and pumping stations supply ready-to-use products. For example, the Grundfos concern produces a whole range of cabinets for automatically controlling the supply and pumping of water.

Grundfos products are very popular

But there is another option - making a product to order. What should you consider when ordering a control cabinet?

  1. Number of electric motors and their parameters (power, speed, voltage).
  2. Type of control (manual, automatic, remote).
  3. Engine starting mode (direct, frequency converter, combined, smooth).
  4. Conditions environment(humidity, temperature).

Features of cabinet maintenance

Before you start using the automation, you should carefully study the instructions and diagrams supplied with the product. Any pump control cabinet diagram shows the location of the electronics, the structure of the device as a whole, interfaces for connecting pumps, and motor protection channels.

Electronic content diagrams for control cabinets show the location of all elements

Any manipulations with mechanisms - cleaning, inspection, repair - must be carried out with the power supply turned off (the “Power” light is not lit).

You should ensure the cleanliness of the ventilation grille filters; most often they are replaceable. The radiator of the frequency converter and the fan must also be cleaned of dust. In order for the connections to function without interruption, you need to tighten the mounting screws.

Its markings will tell you about the technical characteristics of the control cabinet.

Sometimes malfunctions occur in the system. Some of them can be eliminated on their own, others - by specialists or after consultation with the manufacturer. For example, the message “Alarm” appeared on the display - “low pressure”. This means that the “dry running” protection has responded - most likely, there is no water in the well. Until water appears, the pump will be blocked.


The pump control cabinet is used to service sewage and drainage pumps equipped with AC electric motors. The main task of the cabinet is to monitor fluctuations in system parameters and determine best modes operation of electric motors. This reduces energy consumption and protects pump motors from unwanted and unacceptable operating conditions.

Applications and functions of pump control cabinets

The pump control unit performs several important functions at once. These include:

  • Starting and stopping the pump in automatic mode;
  • Manual start of pumping equipment for its maintenance;
  • Automatic start of an additional pump in the event of a breakdown of the main unit;
  • Automatic alternation of operation of several pumps for uniform operation time;
  • Protection of the pump motor from short circuit and overload;
  • Automatic protection of pumping equipment against dry running.

Thanks to the large list of tasks that the control cabinet solves, it is used in many areas of human activity. Most often it is used in production to control drainage pumps. Cabinets are also actively used to control lifting stations in production and construction. Shields are used by many utilities and rescue services.

Standard set of blocks

Most models of switchboards used to control the pump have almost the same configuration. It consists of the following elements:

  • Rectangular metal body. On the front side of the housing there is a pump control panel. The dimensions and design of the case may vary, but it always contains the “Start” and “Stop” buttons;
  • A manual switch that allows you to turn pumping equipment on and off;
  • Protective fuse;
  • A block with frequency converters that allows you to control the operation of asynchronous motors;
  • Automatic pump control systems that turn the unit on and off in scheduled and emergency modes;
  • A set of sensors that control pumps by pressure and water level;
  • Thermal relay;
  • Light signaling in the form of a set of light bulbs.

Each of the listed elements from the cabinet set plays an important role in the system. The functions of the control unit depend on the number of pumps. If there are more than two, then the device is responsible for alternately switching the units.

The temperature sensor protects the equipment from overheating - this is often required when working with a submersible pump in wells with low flow rates. The electronic pump control unit turns off the unit and turns it back on when certain operating conditions occur.

Assembly of the pump control cabinet is usually carried out in special conditions in the presence of necessary tools and materials. At the same time, it is quite possible to assemble the components into a single system with your own hands. To do this, you will need to study examples of electronic technical circuits, which will make it possible to understand the correctness and procedure for assembly. To consider examples, we will use the cabinet model 0.18-15 from Rubezh. This system is used for automatic and manual control pumping station. The control diagram for such a cabinet is shown in the image below.

The manufacturer of this model managed to implement 19 modifications, differing in the power of electric motors - from 0.18 to 110 kW. The following parts are located inside the cabinet body:

  • Automatic type switch;
  • Protective relay;
  • Contactor;
  • Controller;
  • Auxiliary power supply.

To connect the model to the electrical network, you will need to use a cable with a cross section of 0.3–0.4 mm 2. An example of a connection diagram is shown in the image below.

Installation of monitoring stations – what should you know?

All pump control cabinets have complex design and operate on electrical power. They must be installed, operated and maintained strictly in accordance with the instructions specified by the manufacturer. There are a number of rules that must be followed, regardless of the model and configuration of the cabinet. These rules include:

  • The system must be installed in a room that is protected from explosions;
  • Humidity and air temperature in the room must correspond to the parameters specified by the manufacturer;
  • The characteristics of the cabinet must correspond to the parameters of all elements of the equipment;
  • For connection, you should use a cable whose cross-section corresponds to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Control stations that are used in everyday life are subject to the same requirements as industrial systems. Their installation should be carried out in a dry room, which will be convenient for servicing the units.

It is necessary to connect the equipment only after the final installation of the water supply system, wiring and insulation of contacts.

Equipment maintenance and technical support

Many manufacturing companies claim that the pump control cabinets they produce do not require any maintenance. At the same time, cabinets need regular checks of basic elements.

Before checking or replacing elements, the system should be disconnected from electrical power and eliminate the possibility restart. You will also need to check the reliability of all fasteners and connections. To avoid mistakes during repairs, you need to carefully study the equipment operating instructions. It contains a list possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them. For example, one of typical breakdowns The warning light does not turn on, indicating that the cabinet is connected to the electrical network. There may be several reasons for this malfunction - lack of voltage and breakdown circuit breaker. According to the instructions, the repair requires replacing the switch or adjusting the electrical supply.


If a malfunction occurs that cannot be solved on your own, you will have to contact a service center for help.

If you are the owner country house or dachas with autonomous water supply, then you’ve probably at least once wondered how to make pumping equipment work more efficiently and longer, and also have several convenient operating modes. In addition, sometimes two pumps are used at once to provide the house with water and water the garden, so it is necessary to coordinate and automate their operation. You will get the answer to all your questions when you find out what a pump control cabinet is and why it is needed.

The main purpose of distribution cabinets is to control the electric motor of one or several pumping units at once. In this case, the type of pump does not matter. This can be submersible type equipment or downhole or drainage pump.

Moreover, the purpose of pumping equipment may be different. For example, a submersible type unit is needed for efficient work heating system, arranging the water supply of a country house or creating a fire extinguishing system. But the drainage pump, together with the control cabinet, is useful for pumping liquid.

Worth knowing: the scope of use of control cabinets is quite extensive. They are successfully used at housing and communal services facilities, as well as industrial enterprises. In addition, cabinets are actively used by private individuals for arranging autonomous water supply.

If you install a control cabinet to coordinate the operation of the well pump, you will finally find long-awaited peace and relaxation, since from now on you do not need to monitor the operation of the equipment, all this will be done by the automation located in the cabinet. In this case, this device will be able to perform the following functions:

  • the equipment will ensure safe and smooth starting of the pump unit engine;
  • automation will be able to regulate the operation of the frequency converter;
  • in addition, the device will monitor the pressure in the system, the water level, as well as its temperature, which is very important for the timely switching on and off of pumping equipment.

The functions of control cabinets for two or more pumps are even more extensive:

  • if the unit notices that one of the pumps is operating in emergency mode, it will immediately connect the second pump to operation;
  • since the automation of the control cabinet will regulate the alternating operation of each pump, the overall wear and tear of the pumping units will occur later;
  • if one of the pumps long time will be without work, the equipment will be able to protect it from silting;
  • Thanks to this device, you can manually block the operation of one of the pumps;
  • cabinet automation has different programs for controlling several pumps;
  • if necessary, you can obtain complete data on the operation of each unit separately.

What's included?

The control cabinet for pumping equipment may have different contents depending on the number of pumps being serviced. We will look at the cabinet configuration using the example of a device that will serve submersible pump With asynchronous electric motors alternating current. The package includes the following components:

  1. External panel for control and configuration.
  2. Various switches and buttons for performing actions to control pumping equipment.
  3. A frequency converter.
  4. A device for measuring water pressure, which will allow you to automatically regulate the operation of pumping equipment.
  5. A dry operation protection relay is necessary to ensure that the unit cannot operate after the water level drops, which can lead to its failure.
  6. To notify about various situations and enabled functions, the cabinet is equipped with various light indicators (light bulbs).
  7. Special switches that allow you to turn off the engine and frequency converters.
  8. Thermal sensor.
  9. Equipment for manual and automatic load control.

It’s worth knowing: in principle, the cabinet’s operation is designed to automatic control operation of pumping equipment. But if necessary, you can switch to manual control mode.

Operating principle

The principle of operation in automatic mode looks like this:

  1. When automatic mode is activated, the frequency converter smoothly starts the submersible pump motor.
  2. It keeps it on until the water pressure in the system reaches the set maximum.
  3. After this, the equipment turns off the pump.
  4. The same thing happens during active water extraction - the pump operates until peak water consumption stops and the pressure rises. As a result, the frequency decreases and the unit turns off.

The equipment body is made of metal. There are cabinets designed for wall mounting, while other units are designed for floor mounting only. The main purpose of any product is to control system parameters and select the most suitable operating mode of the electric motor. Thanks to their use, it is possible to reduce energy consumption and prevent damage to the electric motor.

Cabinet Operation

Pump control cabinets are sold with detailed instructions and diagrams that are worth studying before you start using the product. The diagram accurately shows the location of the electronics, structure, pump connection points, as well as the location of engine protection devices.

Cabinet maintenance (cleaning, repair or inspection) must be carried out with the power supply turned off. In this case, the light labeled “network” should not be lit. The cabinets use replaceable filters on the ventilation grilles. They need to be changed when they become dirty.

In addition, the fan and radiator of the frequency converter must be cleaned regularly. The fastening screws at the connection points must be tightened periodically. This will ensure uninterrupted operation of the equipment.

The operation of control cabinets is designed for positive temperature conditions, so these units should be installed only in heated rooms.

How to choose a cabinet?

Majority famous manufacturers pumping equipment produces ready-to-use cabinets. However, if necessary, you can order its production with the operating parameters you need. To do this, it is necessary to take into account the following characteristics:

  1. Parameters and total number of engines. In this case, the rotation speed, power of the device and operating voltage are important.
  2. Type of control (remote, manual or automatic).
  3. In what mode should the engine start (using a frequency converter, direct mode, smooth or combined).
  4. You also need to take into account the conditions in which the equipment will operate (temperature, humidity).

Regarding the purchase finished product control, then when choosing it you need to pay attention to the load performance and build quality, as well as the compatibility of the system with the equipment being serviced.

Tip: when choosing a cabinet, pay attention to the year it was manufactured. It’s good if it coincides with the production date of the pumping equipment. This way you can choose compatible models.

Popular models

  1. Range of Grundfos cabinets quite extensive. It contains products with different configurations and technical characteristics. Some models have protection against dry running, low voltage and phase failure. However, they all can:
    • manage pumping equipment;
    • automatically start the unit after a long period of inactivity;
    • control the water level and display data on the display panel;
    • regulate the operation of equipment;
    • such products can be used in the temperature range from -20 to +40°C;
    • All equipment of this brand comes with a two-year warranty.
  1. Alpha Control cabinets reliably protect pumping equipment from negative factors that cause units to fail. They can work with any pump models. These products are designed for connection to a 220 and 380 V network. The “D” marking in the designation will indicate that the model can be used to control two pumps.

Since the beginning of 2004, the ASU-Technology group of companies has been producing various pump control cabinets for optimal solution water supply and fire extinguishing tasks. Well-developed operating algorithms are capable of maintaining the functionality of equipment in the event of various failures, accidents or malfunctions.

For the fully functional operation of any control object, automatic equipment is required. The algorithm itself consists of connecting missing or disconnecting unnecessary operating pumping units, depending on the current difference between the values ​​of the current and set pressures. The overall degree of reliability of such a control system is calculated as the product of the coefficients of all elements included in its composition, which is why a smaller number of elements have higher reliability (provided that each is of similar reliability).

In addition, an important area of ​​water and communal services - wastewater disposal, similar to all other areas, requires the presence of industrial automatic systems For driving sewage pumps. Detailed description and the principles of operation of the automatic pumping station are described in a separate article.

Main advantages
  • Reducing electricity consumption at the facility when operating in automatic mode;
  • Elimination of water hammer and high starting currents when pumps are put into operation;
  • Reduced maintenance and repair costs.

When operating in automatic mode, the pump control station does not require the presence of maintenance personnel constantly on site. The operation of the automation cabinet can be controlled remotely using a dispatch system. Application modern technologies allows you to combine any geographically distributed objects into a common monitoring and control network.

Buy a pump control cabinet

GC "ASU-Technology" - reliable manufacturer pumping equipment. Manufactured control automation is constantly modernized in accordance with the development of technology and customer requirements. The cost is determined depending on the power and number of pumps that need to be controlled and on the functionality of the control system. To do this, you need to fill out and send us a questionnaire containing technical requirements to automation or application to free form to our postal address, or simply contact the manager at the contact phone number indicated on the website. We are always happy to answer questions about maintenance and commissioning of our pump control cabinets. This type of service is provided free of charge.