Explanation of Two Line Jet Pumps & Drinking Water Wells InspectAPedia® -
Explanation of deep-well Two Line Jet Pumps & Drinking Water Wells, Well Problems & Repair Advice
What are the components of a two line jet pump water supply system?
What types of wells use a two-line jet pump for water delivery.
From what depth can a two line jet pump deliver water?
Types of wells and water supply systems and what to watch out for with each
Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures
Electric pump motor troubleshooting guide
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This article describes the components of a two-line jet pump water system, what the components look like, and what they do. This article series describes various types of drinking water sources like wells, cisterns, dug wells, drilled wells, artesian wells and
well and water pump equipment. We provide advice about what to do when things go wrong.
Readers of this document should also see our other diagnostic guides for water pumps, wells, motors, in table form:
What are the Components of a Well with a Two Line Jet Pump?
Refer to the illustration at left, courtesy of Carson Dunlop and also to our rough sketch provided below to see the components providing well water to a building served by a two-line jet pump located apart from the well.
In our drawing the two line jet pump which draws water from the well and the water pressure tank are shown located separately from
the well itself, and the well and its casing are shown located inside of a well pit.
Well pits such as the one we've drawn are used especially in climates exposed to freezing weather, as a way to get
access to the well casing and well piping and to route well piping out of the well through the top of the well casing and on to
the building while protecting it from freezing.
In addition to showing a well pit in this sketch, we discuss and illustrate well pits a bit more
at Well Pits
What is the Pumping Capacity in Gallons per Minute for a 2-Line Deep Well Jet Pump?
A two-line jet pump can typically raise water from depths of 30-feet to 80-feet, and at water delivery rates of 4 gpm (gallons per minute) (for a 1/2 hp 2-line jet pump serving an 80 foot deep well) to 16 gpm (for a 1 hp 2-line jet pump serving a 30 foot deep well). At WATER PUMP CAPACITIES TYPES RATES GPM we compare the pumping capacities of one line jet pumps, two line jet pumps, submersible well pumps, and other water pumping methods.
A nice example table of Deep Well 2-Line Jet Pump Capacities for 1/2 hp and 1 hp deep well pumps is provided in the Water Ace Jet Pump Installation Manual and excerpted below to illustrate the factors that determine well pump capacity. Both of the charts below are for 2-line jet pumps produced by Water Ace. 2-Line jet pumps intended for deep well use and made by other manufacturers can be expected to have similar capacities.
The Water Ace charts (shown in part above) make clear that the capacity of a deep well pump to deliver water at a given flow rate varies by these factors:
the depth of the well (the bottom scale in the two charts)
the pump horsepower (the color codes indicate pump model and horsepower HP variation)
The well pump model (the right hand table is for the company's more powerful well pump series of 2-line jet pumps)
The condition of well piping, including pipe diameter, length, number of bends or elbows
The presumption that the entire piping system has no leaks
Permission requested, Water Ace Corp. Aug 2010 - Pentair Pump Group.
Watch out: Safety warnings are throughout any pump manufacturer's instructions. Because some pump models are capable of developing internal pressures of more than 100 psi, if your building piping, pressure relief valves, safety controls, wiring, and plumbing are not properly installed, very dangerous conditions including electrical shock, tank explosion, and leaks or floods can occur.
How a Two-Line Jet Pump Works to Get Water Out of the Well
A two line jet pump refers to the observation that two pipes are connected between the jet pump and the well.
In our photo at left you can see the two black plastic lines leaving the front of the water pump.
A two line jet pump draws water out of the well by magic: it forces water away from the pump and into the bottom of the
well through one of the pipes (usually the smaller diameter pipe).
At the bottom of the well water from the jet pump
is forced through a venturi device (a sort of funnel shaped opening) and then back upwards into the larger diameter pipe.
Water flowing through the venturi device at the bottom of the well piping draws still additional water out of the well and into
the larger diameter pipe that flows back to the building.
The requirement to have some water to send down to the well in order to bring a larger quantity of water back is why a two line jet pump can't provide any water or water pressure in a building if it loses its prime. See WELL PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE if you need to re-prime your jet pump.
In our sketch above see the two arrows showing water entering the bottom of the piping.
The following list and definition of two-line deep well jet pump and water well parts and terms is
organized from the top of the drawing towards its bottom and uses names that correspond to those shown in our ugly sketch above.
A pair of well pipes leave the well casing through a water-tight cap on top of the casing and
are connected to the appropriate fittings on the two line jet pump which is (probably) located in the building it
serves.
The well casing top in this example is located inside of a well pit but it
could be simply buried in the soil. It is particularly important that the well cap on the casing be water tight
since otherwise unsanitary surface water and
debris can enter the well casing. Many well caps are not water tight, which is why modern drilled well casings extend above ground level.
Compression Seal Well Cap is a special well cap with openings to permit passage of the two water lines (and maybe an air vent tube)
out of the well to above ground.
A compression seal well cap consists of steel top and bottom plates which "sandwich" rubber fittings which surround
the water piping. As the two plates are bolted together they squeeze the rubber "sandwich" gaskets causing them to expand and seal both around
the water piping and inside the diameter of the well casing.
A "two-line" jet pump is shown outside of the well, either inside of the building or perhaps in a well pit or well house. "Two line" refers
to the fact that two water pipes connect the pump to the well. Since the lift capacity of a two-line jet pump is not
limited to the shallow-well depth of 27' chances are that where you find a two line jet pump installed
it is drawing from a deep water well. Our sketch shows the pump connected to a water pressure tank which in turn supplies water to the
building. The pressure tank is usually located very close to the jet pump but it could be elsewhere.
Well Jet and Well Piping Foot Valve is a venturi device through which the two line jet pump sends water to collect and
bring still more water back into the building. See WELL PIPING FOOT VALVES for details. You can see Carson Dunlop's sketch of a foot valve here and also at the end of this list.
Well Jet & Foot Valve Clearance from Well Bottom: (not shown) means that the well piping, bottom venturi, and foot valve are inserted
into the well some distance from the very bottom of
the well (inches to a few feet). We need this clearance to reduce the tendency of the well pump to pick up mud and debris from the bottom of the well.
Static head (not shown in this sketch) is the height of the column of water inside of the well between the bottom of the foot valve and the
top of the water when the well is at rest. We discuss "static head" and well recovery rates in detail at How Much Water is In the Well?
What is the Well Piping Foot Valve used in a well and what goes wrong with foot valves?
If you keep losing prime at the water pump where a two-line jet pump is installed, it's probable that a check valve at the pump or more likely at the FOOT VALVE in the bottom of the well needs to be replaced.
Carson Dunlop's sketch at left shows how a foot valve works and where it is installed. Replacing a foot valve in the well requires that the well be opened and the well piping be pulled out to permit removal of the old valve and installation of a new one.
After replacing the foot valve you should shock the well since you've probably contaminated it by laying your well piping and parts on the ground (and foot valves at the plumbing supplier are not kept in sterile containers).
Some of the well pump troubleshooting suggestions in this list can be found at the Betta-Flo Jet Pump Installation Manual from the National Pump Co.
Things to Check if the Well Pump Will Not Start
Pump Trouble Cause
Diagnostic Procedure
Repair Procedure
Blown fuse, tripped breaker
Replace fuse or breaker - does the pump run and keep running normally?
Be sure proper breaker or fuse size in ampacity is installed
Low voltage to the pump
Check with VOM at the pressure control switch or at the pump wiring
Be sure the proper size of wire is used for the ampacity and length of circuit; Test for low voltage to the building.
Loose or broken pump wire
Check wiring against the pump installation manual diagram, check all connections for tightness, shorts, burns, damage
Rewire or repair or replace wiring
Burned out pump motor
Check that the pump pressure control switch is trying to turn on the pump and that there is voltage at the pump wiring
Repair or replace the pump motor
Bad pump pressure control switch
Check the switch contacts for burning or wear
Adjust or replace the pressure control switch. Temporary emergency repair by cleaning the switch contacts may be possible.
Bad pump pressure control switch
Check the tubing connecting the pressure switch to the pump housing for clogging
Clean or replace the tubing and be sure the connections are not leaky - an air leak will prevent the switch from sensing pressure properly
Bad pump impeller or impeller seal leak
Turn off electric power to pump, see if you can move the impeller or motor - if it won't turn it is jammed or damaged
Remove obstruction in impeller housing, inspect for and replace damaged impeller or frozen motor.
Bad pump motor starting capacitor
Use a VOM in ohms setting to check resistance across the capacitor. If the meter does not move (no current flows) the capacitor is "open". If there is zero resistance the capacitor is shorted.
Replace the starting capacitor
Pump motor shorted out, jammed, burned up
Fuse blows or breaker trips as soon as the pump tries to turn on. If the external wiring is ok (no short circuits) the motor is shorted internally
Replace the pump motor
Things to Check if the Pump Motor Starts but Overheats and Trips its Reset Button
Use a VOM to check the voltage level at the pressure control switch
If voltage is too low, check voltage at the electrical panel and check that the proper size wiring was used for the ampacity and length of run and that there are no partial shorts or damaged wires or connectors
Incorrect motor wiring
Check the actual electrical wiring against the motor wiring diagram or the installation manual for the equipment
Reconnect wiring properly
Motor is too hot due to surroundings - inadequate ventilation
Check the air temperature where the motor is located. If the air temperature is over 100 degF, the pump may be too hot and its thermal overload switch tripping because of the environment, not a pump problem.
Install adequate ventilation, or if needed, shading, or relocate the motor/equipment to a cool location
Pump operates too long at low water pressure
If the well recovery rate is too poor and the pump is operating at low water pressure, possibly because a tailpiece is installed to prevent air injection and pump burnup, the pump may be overheating.
Install a valve on the water discharge line and reduce water flow to increase water pressure inside the pump itself.
What to do if the well pump runs continuously or runs too often
If the Well Pump Motor Runs Too Often
If the pump runs too often the cause may be a control problem, water tank problem, piping problem, or a well problem.
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Deep Well Jet Pumps, Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development, toll free in Alberta at 310-FARM web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex639
Betta-Flo Jet Pump Installation Manual, National Pump Co., LLC., includes helpful well pump troubleshooting tips as well as basic jet pump installation details. Web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.nationalpumpcompany.com/Documents/OIM/Betta%20Flo%20IOM%20Jet%20Pump.pdf
Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Water Ace Jet Pump Installation Manual, instructions from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/R510%20R520%20and%20R100%20Jet%20Pumps%20Manual.pdf
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of
Water Ace shallow well pump Model R510 1/2 HP
Water Ace deep well pump Model R100 convertible 1HP and
Water Ace deep well jet pump Model R250 convertible 1/2 hp.
Quoting from the company's website:
The Water Ace Pump Company is a dynamic, rapidly growing retail pump manufacturer, backed by a tradition of over 125 years of excellence. We offer a complete line of sump, sewage, lawn sprinkler, swimming pool, submersible well and jet pumps as well as pressure tanks and accessories.
Water Ace Jet Pump Installation Manual, from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/RTS5%20RTS7%20RTS10%20RC5%20and%20RC10%20Jet%20Pumps%20Manual.pdf
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of Water Ace pump models:
Water Ace Shallow Well 1-line Jet Pump Models RTS5 (1/2HP), Model RTS7 (3/4 HP) and RTS10 (1HP)
Water Ace Deep Well 2-line Jet Pump Models RC5 (1/2 HP) and RC10 (1HP)
Water Ace Submersible Well Pump Installation Manual, from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/23833A019%20Well%20Pumps%20Eng.pdf
Spanish and French language submersible well pump installation manuals are available from the company.
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of Water Ace pump models:
Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment
Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
Crystal Clear Supply provides portable ceramic water filter purifiers and portable reverse osmosis water treatment equipment - see http://www.crystalclearsupply.com/category_s/7.htm
Handbook of Disinfectants and Antiseptics, Joseph M. Ascenzi (Editor), CRC, 1995, ISBN-10: 0824795245 ISBN-13: 978-0824795245 "The evaluation of chemical germicides predates the golden age of microbiology..." -
This well-focused, up-to-date reference details the current medical uses of antiseptics and disinfectants -- particularly in the control of hospital-acquired infections -- presenting methods for evaluating products to obtain regulatory approval and examining chemical, physical, and microbiological properties as well as the toxicology of the most widely used commercial chemicals.
Potable Aqua® emergency drinking water germicidal tablets are produced by the Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., Jackson WI 53037. 800-558-6614 pharmacalway.com
Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation and Sterilization (Hardcover)
by A. D. Russell (Editor), W. B. Hugo (Editor), G. A. J. Ayliffe (Editor), Blackwell Science, 2004. ISBN-10: 1405101997, ISBN-13: 978-1405101998.
"This superb book is the best of its kind available and one that will undoubtedly be useful, if not essential, to workers in a variety of industries. Thirty-one distinguished specialists deal comprehensively with the subject matter indicated by the title ... The book is produced with care, is very readable with useful selected references at the end of each chapter and an excellent index. It is an essential source book for everyone interested in this field. For pharmacy undergraduates, it will complement the excellent text on pharmaceutical microbiology by two of the present editors."
The Pharmaceutical Journal: "This is an excellent book. It deals comprehensively and authoritatively with its subject with contributions from 31 distinguished specialists. There is a great deal to interest all those involved in hospital infection ... This book is exceptionally well laid out. There are well chosen references for each chapter and an excellent index. It is highly recommended." The Journal of Hospital Infection.: "The editors and authors must be congratulated for this excellent treatise on nonantibiotic antimicrobial measures in hospitals and industry ... The publication is highly recommended to hospital and research personnel, especially to clinical microbiologists, infection-control and environmental-safety specialists, pharmacists, and dieticians."
New England Journal of Medicine: City Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Covers the many methods of the elimination or prevention of microbial growth. Provides an historical overview, descriptions of the types of antimicrobial agents, factors affecting efficacy, evaluation methods, and types of resistance. Features sterilization methods, and more. Previous edition: c1999. DNLM: Sterilization--methods.
U.S. Army Field Manual 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation, 1988, web search 07/02/2010, original source: http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-21-10-field-hygiene-and-sanitation.shtml The purpose of this manual is to assist individual soldiers, unit commanders, leaders and field sanitation teams in preventing disease and environmental injuries. The manual provides information on preventive medicine measures (PMM) to the individual soldier as well as essential information for the unit commander, unit leaders, and the unit field sanitation team on applying unit level PMM.
When Technology Fails, Matthew Stein, Chelsea Green Publisher, 2008,493 pages. ISBN-10: 1933392452 ISBN-13: 978-1933392455, "... how to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failure, as well as practical information for dealing with water-quality issues even when the public tap water is still flowing". Mr. Stein's website is www.whentechfails.com/
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