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Karen
Lv 4
Karen asked in Home & GardenMaintenance & Repairs · 1 decade ago

Anyone know about submersible pumps?

Our receint ice storm apparently killed my darn pump. I didn't know until today when I finally got time to go out and check on things in the yard. I have had my pond covered up but I was fairly sure it wasn't running. I checked it both plugged up to the heavy duty extention cord and straight into the GFCI. It keeps popping the GFCI so I am assuming it is just the pump itself. I checked the plug with a sander and it ran the sander fine. I also checked the extention cord... it ran it fine too. Is there anything else I can do to maybe revive it? I have it in a bucket of water right now, I thought maybe the cord just needed to dry out.

12 Answers

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  • rosco
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Hi ,the pump has shorted out ,internally.I would get a professional pump company to replace it.I would not play around with it going to ground

    If that GFCI goes bad ,some one might get hurt.Good luck on a new pump.

  • Flor
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    1) Voltage doesn't kill. Amperage does. As little as a few milliamps. If you are solidly grounded, can't get loose and have a weak heart. The amperage interferes with the signal to the heart and can cause it to flutter. Any electrical device in your home has that potential. The good news is that you are not likely to be unable to get loose. Same with your cat. This is why animals nearly always survive chewing through electrical cords. The initial shock cause muscles to contract and in so doing we/they break contact. That's not to say it doesn't hurt! 2) Low water level will result in failure of the pump. It burns up internally. Should not result in current escaping to ground. ie being an electrical shock hazard. 3) I have no idea what they mean by "always run under direct supervision". Try contacting them for an explanation. 4) Yes, the unit itself is of the grounded type. Unfortunately, just because the receptacle you are using has 3 prongs doesn't mean it is properly grounded. In older homes that didn't have a ground it is not uncommon to find the 2 prong outlets have been replaced with 3 prong type without the addition of a grounding means. If your home is say less than 25 years old, they most likely are grounded. For about $6 you can get a 3 prong outlet tester and plug it in to the receptacle. It will tell you if it is or isn't grounded. (spend the extra #3 and get one that also has the push button on it. That feature allows you to also test GFI receptacles and GFCI breakers.) Replacing the existing receptacle with a GFI isn't all that hard. The key is identifying the incoming power (Line) and putting those wires in the correct location. If additional wires are present in the box you have the option of putting them on the Load side terminals of the GFI and thus having GFI protection on outlets "downstream". Or putting them on the Line side terminals along with the incoming hot. This way should the GFI trip nothing else (downstream) looses power. Take a good look at the paper work that came with. Do you see the UL label listed anywhere? If not then I would be concerned. If it is present, you should be just fine.

  • 1 decade ago

    Why don't you remove the pump from the pond and check it out. Maybe it's just clogged. You can test the pump in the sink or large bucket. Good Luck! If it turns out to be that the pump is shot, at least you will know what you need to replace.

  • 1 decade ago

    It could have a short in the pump. Or you might also want to check the cord going into the pump to make sure it does not have a cut in it . either way you might want to buy a New one

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  • 1 decade ago

    I had a pump in my fish pond and same thing happened. Open it up, take out any removable small parts and clean them with a toothbrush and water. Assemble it and it may work again. I got an extra 4 months out of mine because the small blade was sticking. I did have a slight hum to it but it worked fine.

  • 1 decade ago

    The pump definately has a short. Replace the pump.

  • 1 decade ago

    Internal problem with the pump, you probably have a hairline crack in the case that has allowed water to enter the motor. These pumps are usually not repairable and must be replaced. Sorry for your loss.

  • 1 decade ago

    Your pump has most likely frozen causing a crack in the housing , and therefor exposing the internal control components to the water creating a dead short to ground . In short ... pump is dead .

    Source(s): Industrial Maintainence mechanic 17 yrs.
  • aussie
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    sounds like the pump has a short in it if nothing else is triping the GFI

  • The pump is pooched if it's popping the GFI... get a new one.

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