Electrical

It is very important to understand that you must meet these standards and allow the utility to inspect before coverage.  If not, connecting to our system is a crime called theft of services and we would be forced to prosecute.

*It is prudent to look over the tanks and piping section also.*

This STEP (Septic Tank Ellfuent Pump) system operates from a PLC (Programiable Logic Controler) control panel.  This panel must be located outside so service can be performed when no one is home, if needed.   The control panel needs two separate circuits so the alarm will still operate if the pumps trip the breaker they are on.  The pump circuit requires a 120 volt 20 amp breaker and wire.  The PLC circuit uses less than an amp and can be tied in with another electrical appliance if needed (an appliance that you would notice being off).  The power from the house connects on the left lower side of the box grounds to the green din connectors, neutrals to the white din connectors, the pump hot to the black din connector and the PLC hot to the 1 amp breaker (see below).  

The control panel is connected from the house to the septic pump tank with PVC conduit.  The pumps run off  4 wires, two hots, a shared ground and a shared natrual.  There are 3 floats also located in the pump tank that can run on underground sprinkler wire.  Usually 7 wire irrigation is available or you can run 6 single strands.

 In the pump tank there is also what is referred to as a float tree. Take an old coffee can and a 4 to 5 foot piece of pipe and fill the can with concrete with the pipe in it.   Once set, you can take stainless steel clamps and connect the 3 floats to the pipe.  The lowest float, #1, is to be set so when it hangs, the bottom of the float will be above the pump intake.  This is very important so the pump does not run dry and burn out.  Next float up is float #2, placed on the other side of pipe just above float 1 by a few inches.  The last float, #3, goes back to the other side of the pipe a few inches above float 2, this is the high level alarm float.

All outside wire is run in PVC conduit from the control panel out to the septic pump tank and connected to the pump riser so that there is a 4x4 grey box open at the surface (see below).

The 3 floats and 2 pump cables connect to this 4x4 grey box by using a 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" close nipple and 2 nuts.  Once the box and riser are connected, pull the pump and float wires into the grey box for connection.  Once connected, be sure and squirt some silicone caulk into the close nipple so no sewer gases can corrode the connections.   Do not cut any excess wire from the pumps or floats, just coil it up and hang inside the riser as extra wire is needed for trouble shooting the system.  The control panel has color coded instructions for which wire goes to which float.  Float 1 is the lowest.  Connect the wires in the 4x4 grey box with waterproof wire nuts.

If you need to ask questions or have concerns please call us at 865-908-0432

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