A Water Well pressure system is required for residential and commercial applications where a Public or Municipal water source is not available. A Water Well system includes a variety of components that play a vital role in ensuring the Well System functions accurately.
In this blog, we will answer the questions, "What is a Water Well System?" and "What are the components that make up a Water Well System?". We will list each component as they all work together to ensure the system works efficiently, providing many years of trouble-free service.
Water Well System
A Water Well system is required in order to provide water to an area that doesn't have a public water source. In order to put a Water Well System in, you will need to locate a water source, then if necessary, drill into the earth to reach a sustainable water supply.
After the drilling process, a submersible water pump can be installed within the well casing below the water level. The pump pushes the water from the well, up to the surface.
Components
The main components of a Water Well System that Boshart's sells are:
- Check valves
- Easy Tie Adapters
- Hose Clamps
- Heat Shrink Kits
- Torque Arrestors
- Safety Rope
- Submersible Pump Cable
- Cable Guards & Cable Ties
- Pitless Adapters
- Rope Hangers
- Well Caps
- Insert Adapters
- Flow Control Valves
- Tank Tees
- Pressure Switches
- Pressure Gauges
- Pressure Relief Valves
- Drain Valves
- Ball Valves
Check Valves
Check valves prevent water from reversing direction and draining back down the well when the pump stops. Preventing back flow ultimately protects the pump from any damages. Check valves carry the weight of the submersible pump, the pipe and the water in the riser pipe in a Water Well system.
Easy-Tie Adapters
In a pipe systems, easy-tie adapters connect sections of pipe, adapting to different sizes or shapes to regulate the fluid flow. When it comes to Well systems, easy-tie adapters connect to the check valve at the pump discharge to the riser pipe and connects the pitless adapter to the riser pipe. Easy-tie adapters help prevent the loss of the submersible pump to the bottom of the well.
Hose Clamps
The general purpose of a hose clamp is to seal poly pipe to a barbed insert fitting. The hose clamps make a water tight seal so the system will no leak and they also compress on the poly pipe into the serrations on the insert adapter to ensure a pull-off proof connection. In a Water Well specific application where the maximum corrosion resistance is required, only 300 grade stainless steel clamps should be used to ensure the clamp will last overtime.
Heat Shrink Kits
Specifically for use in Well Water systems, a heat shrink splice kit is used to make an underwater electrical connection, connecting leads on the pump motor and the pump cable. You make the connection by cutting the cables in a staggered position to minimize the cables outer diameter after its complete. Heat shrinks reduce the risk of damaging the splice.
Torque Arrestors
Torque Arrestors are installed above the pump on the riser pipe. They are designed specifically to keep the submersible pump in the center, while preventing any twisting in the well casing. Torque Arrestors absorb the shock, also protecting the pipe column components. They can be adapted for use in wells from 4" up to 8" inner diameter well casing.
Safety Robe
Safety rope is connected to the submersible pump, securing it to the well head. It's main function is to prevent any pipe separation which could result in the pump being lost at the bottom of the well. Another factor is it can provide backup means to allow the installer to pull the pump from the well if the riser pipe were to fail.
Submersible Pump Cable
Pump cable is used to supply the power to submersible pumps. You can find pump cable for both two and three wire pumps with two wire pumps having the starting capacitor built into the submersible motor.
Cable Guards & Cable Ties
Cable Guards
Cable Guards are designed to ensure the riser pipe stays centered in the well, preventing damage to the pump wire. Cable guards should be placed every 15 ft. When the pump starts and stops, the whole installation moves in response tot he torque of the motor, over time this can cause the pump wires to fray. Cable guards can help prevent that.
Cable Ties
You can use cable ties to effectively secure the pump cable to the riser pipe between the cable guards. A solid installation will ensure the pump cable is snug to the riser pip from the bottom to the top, free of loose wire. Both black and nylon cable ties can be used in water well installations.
Pitless Adapter
The pitless adapter allows for an easy connection of the riser pipe from the submersible pump to the discharge piping underground. This piping is used to transform the water to the house within the confined diameter of the well casing, below the frost level. The most common and widely used pitless adapter is the slide type which is simple, reliable and cost effect.
Rope Hangers
The function of a rope hanger is to install it on the top of the well casing and does not rely on the structural strength of the other well components. Rope hangers allow for the unobstructed installation of a well cap over the rope hanger onto the well casing. You can easily remove the rope hanger from the well and set it aside when the pump need pulled from the well for service or replacement.
Well Caps
A Well cap is designed to go on top of the Well casing. Well caps provide a cover to prevent debris from entering the well. They are available in two basic types; a basic one-piece conduit cap and in a watertight, tamper-proof design. If you need access to the well to attach the wires, simply remove the cap.
Insert Adapters
Insert adapters have a male pipe thread on one end, with an insert on the other end. Boshart's insert adapters are specifically designed with three key features that provide them with top notch quality, sharp profile that bites into the poly pipe ensuring it will no pull out, the adapter has a heavy wall construction for longevity and the lead barb is machined with a special taper to decrease the outer diameter.
Flow Controls
Flow control valves are specifically designed to give a consistent flow over a large range of pressures. There are no moving parts, they include a self-cleaning flexible orifice that varies in size with applied pressure to ensure that constant flow rate is maintained.
Tank Tees
Tank tees are a multi-port fitting that are designed to connect a tank to a water system. Having a multi-port feature allows one fitting to do the same job as eight or more pipe fittings. The tank tee is compact and also helps prevent any leaks. You can find tank tee in a variety of materials, styles and lengths to accommodate any tanks on the market.
Pressure Switches
The pressure switch controls the submersible pumps' operation. Pressure switches have a built-in diaphragm that moves back and forth, reacting to the changing water system pressures. If the pressure were to decrease, the diaphragm will retract and the spring loaded contacts will trip which will cause the contact to snap to the closed position. This action is referred to as the cut-in, which starts the pump.
When the submersible pump builds the system pressure, the diaphragm is forced forward, forcing the contact mechanism to trip again. This causes the contacts to snap to the open position which is called the cut-out, stopping the pump.
Pressure Gauges
A Pressure gauge allows a homeowner or installer to easily monitor the pressure in the system and to verify the cut-in and cut-out pressure settings of the pressure switch. There are many configurations available including dry or liquid filled. They are also available in different sizes and a variety of mount connections including center back mount and lower mount.
Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure relief valves protect your plumbing system from excessive pressure. Excessive pressures could result in catastrophic failure pf plumbing pipe and the components in the plumbing system which could potentially result in water damage. A relief valve is a spring loaded valve and it will open only if the system pressure exceeds the pre-set setting.
Drain Valves
You may know a drain valve as a sediment faucet or boiler drain valves, they are installed in the second outward facing accessory report. A drain valve has multiple functions including taking water samples, acquiring water from the system and to provide a means to drain the tank if the pressure tank needs replacing.
Ball Valves
You should install the ball valve on the discharge side of the pressure tank which provides a means of isolating the plumbing system from the water well pressure system. The ball valves provides a way to shut off the water supply to the house if there was ever a component failure in the plumbing system. It also allows the installer to isolate the water system and prevent the entire in-house plumbing system from draining back when you need to repair the water system.
Conclusion:
Boshart provides a variety of products that are essential to a Water Well System. Each component plays and important role and Boshart Industries take pride in ensuring each product is the best quality to guarantee durability and longevity.
Have further questions about this subject?
Head over to Boshart's Knowledge Base: technical product information, guidelines, and more.