What Does a Pressure Switch Do?

A pressure switch is the small switch that tells your well pump when to turn on and off based on water pressure.

• What is a pressure switch: the “brain” of your well system. It turns the pump on when pressure drops and off when it reaches the set point.

• Signs it’s failing: burned or pitted contacts, clicking or chattering, the pump short-cycling or not shutting off, no water, or ants and other critters (like lizards) inside the switch.

• When it’s time to replace: when it’s worn, burned or not working right, or keeps failing. A quick inspection tells us.