View Full Version : First no power- Now Power Back
blizzardm17
Dec 23, 2008, 04:23 AM
I had my sump pump running in the back of my house but the pipe was clogged and it stayed on and kept pumping for two hours or more. I shut the switch off to cut the power. When I tried the switch later it was dead. The pump had heated up and the temps outside where the pump is was 12. What do you think. Also if I need new wiring do I need to break walls to do it or can I get them through without getting drastic. Thank you for your help
21boat
Dec 23, 2008, 05:34 AM
1 Why did you have a sump running in the back of the house?
2 Why was the pipe clogged?
3 What actually does this some pump do?
4 Switch off switch on how Long waited between on and off? (12 degrees)
5 Was the pump pulled out of the water (clog) 12F and sat in 12F how long?
6 What walls do you need to break?
7. I will guess at this one Is this a sewage grinder pump to a drain field?
I am not trying to bust on you there is a lot of very sharp minds hear. These questions were going to be asked no matter what. I was just trying to speed it along for you.
Trying to help need more Info better picture in description.
blizzardm17
Dec 23, 2008, 09:16 AM
The pump is at the back door for water removal. The pvc piping must have had frozen water in it or at least blocking the check valve. The pump was pushing against the clog for about 3 hours while I slept. I took the pump off the outlet pipe and left it in the warm water when I took it off there was still juice. I turned the plug off and then on again about 4 hours later but it was dead. Just that on switch to the light to the pump. All other power in the house is working. I was wondering if it is the wiring do walls have to be opened to rewire things. Any ideas about what went wrong and how to fix it. Thank you
tkrussell
Dec 23, 2008, 10:36 AM
How do you know there is no power?
Because the pump is not running?
Have you tested the wiring with a voltage tester?
My guess is the motor is burned out from running trying to pump against a blockage, but only a tester will tell if power is available or not.
blizzardm17
Dec 23, 2008, 10:41 AM
I believe there is no power because the light that the pump gets its wiring from is also not working it is a two switch box. The top switch turns on the light in the room, that is working the bottom switch turns on the outside light and pump that is not working. My friend is coming over with a voltage tester
21boat
Dec 23, 2008, 03:59 PM
The pump frozen draw on amps could have toasted the switch. The pump wire got hot slowly heated up the bottom of the switch where were connect It wasn't enough to kick breaker but a slow cook like a welders cable.
blizzardm17
Dec 25, 2008, 08:06 AM
I asked a question because my light and pump outside my back door stopped working after the pump overheated because the outlet pipe for the water was frozen. The motion detector wasn't even blipping so the was no power going to the light as it was thhe first thing away from the switch. The temps were 12 degrees with a colder wind chill. Yesterday there was a big thaw to about 45 and all of a sudden there was power. Does anyone have any ideas. I am happy it is working again but a little puzzled and concerned that it is faulty. Thank you very much for your help
tkrussell
Dec 25, 2008, 10:26 AM
I merged this last post with the original question to help with continuity.
This is a longshot, but with temps that cold, some connection could be affected by the contraction of metals caused by the cold. My fear is that it is an underground break, or something along that line.
Can't imagine a splice or screw terminal being affected by cold, but anything is possible at those temps.