Pump Stopped

Frequently Asked Questions

Help! My pump has stopped working:

Clogging?

This might be due to clogging of the inlet strainer; especially if the flow has gradually dropped over a few days. Disconnect the power to the pump before handling. Clear the pump strainer of leaves and debris, and then reconnect the power. If the flow is only partly restored, dirt might have built up inside the pump/rotor and a more thorough clean of the pump might be in order. © www.aquapic.com

Overheating?

Most modern pumps have a built-in thermal cut-out that will turn off the pump if it starts to overheat. When the pump has cooled down it will often restart again. Overheating can be caused by a clogged strainer, or dirt building up in or around the pump – and this should be remedied before trying to turn the pump back on. Overheating can also be due to wear and tear on the pump bearings. In some cases wearing parts can be replaced to prolong the life of the pump. Contact Us for advice. © www.aquapic.com

Trip Switch or Fuse?

All outdoor equipment should be protected by an RCD trip switch (Residual Current Device) which is included on all new installations, but which might be missing on very old installations. This might be a switch on your electric distribution board, or a device built into a plug or socket. It is distinguished by a ‘Test’ button.

If a fault has been detected the switch will trip out, turning off the connected power. Sometimes the switch will trip even if there isn’t a fault; perhaps due to a short power cut, or a lamp failing at the end of its life. Some types of RCD are ‘non-latching’, which means that they need to be manually turned back on after a power failure. © www.aquapic.com

Check if some obvious damage has caused the RCD to trip out e.g. due to a spade cutting through the cable, or water entering a connection. If the RCD has tripped for no obvious reason, and everyone is safely out of contact with the wiring or the pond, try turning it back on. If the power restarts the pump, perhaps there was no fault. Check that the RCD is functioning correctly by pressing the test button. It should trip out. It can then be turned back on. © www.aquapic.com

If the trip switch cannot be turned back on, because it immediately cuts off the power again; or if the trip switch cuts out again a short time after; there is a fault on the circuit. Do not continue to run the pump. Turn off the power to that circuit and get it checked. © www.aquapic.com

If the power and RCD are on, but there is no movement from the pump, the fuse in the plug/socket may have blown, or the related overload trip switch on the circuit board. It is worth having the circuit investigated to find out why it has become overloaded. If fuses/overloads trip repeatedly, you must turn off the circuit and have it investigated.

If the pump still fails to run even though the RCD and fuse/overload indicate no problem, the pump may have failed. Disconnect the power and get the pump checked. © www.aquapic.com

N.B. Mains power can be very dangerous if mishandled. Always disconnect the power before handling the pump or working in the pond. If in any doubt about electric wiring or appliances – call in professional help. ©

What about the fish?

If your fish are used to having moving water from a filter, fountain, or waterfall then the failure of the pump might cause problems. See the answer to “Help, there is a power failure”