How to Select a Sewage Pump

Information in this article is for informational purposes only.  All sizing and installation should be performed by a qualified and experienced professional.

How to Select a Sewage Pump

Any house that contains a bathroom in the basement requires a sewer pump in order to move the sewage from the basin and to the sewer system.  There are hundreds of sewage pump products on the market today, allowing customers to choose the one that best fits their specific sewage system needs.  When selecting a sewage pump, various factors such as mode, type of switch, motor power, voltage, and cord length, need to be addressed in order to select the most suitable and efficient pump.

Pump Mode

Sewage pumps can be manual, automatic, or dual mode.

A manual sewage pump does not have an outside switch and needs to be manually turned on/off through a plug.  It’s best applied in applications where the pump is not used on a regular basis (i.e. the pump is inserted into the tank or basin on a monthly basis to pump out the sewage).

An automatic sewage pump is used in applications where the pump is placed on permanent basis (i.e. bottom of the basin in a residential residence).  An automatic pump comes with a switch which activates and deactivates the pump whenever a certain (usually pre-set) sewage level is reached.

A dual mode sewage pump, also referred to as a piggyback pump, has the ability to function either in manual or automatic mode.  A pump and a switch have separate plugs.  In a case when the pump is used in manual mode, the switch is bypassed and is not plugged in.  Whenever the pump is used as an automatic mode, the pump is plugged piggyback unto the plug on the switch. This way, as the sewage level rises, it activates the switch, which then turns on the pump. 

Many plumbers recommend piggyback pumps over automatic pumps since in case of a switch breakdown, an automatic pump needs to be completely replaced, while a dual mode pump can have its switch easily replaced.

Cord Length

The cord that powers a sewage pump should be connected directly into an electric outlet.  Therefore, the length of the cord must be long enough to reach the outlet without using an extension cord.  Depending on a model, cord length can vary from 10 to 25 feet.

Switch Type

Automatic pumps have 2 common switch types: vertical (also known as a float switch) and mechanical (also known as a wide angle switch).  These switches are also available in piggyback mode.

Housing Material

The housing of most sewage pump models is manufactured from thermoplastic, cast iron, or aluminum.

Voltage

When it comes to pump voltage, depending on the model, the following options are available: 115V, 200V, 208V, 230V, 240V, 380V, 460V, and 575 V.

Power

Sewage pump that are manufactured for residential use have 4/10HP or 1/2HP motor.

Solids

When it comes to solids, most residential sewage pumps are designed to freely move soft solids that are up to 2” in diameter.

Pump manufacturers, such as Little Giant and Libery Pumps, provide pump selection charts to further assist in making the right decision.