Maintenance
Submersible Pump Maintenance Tips: A Practical Checklist
Submersible pump maintenance tips for borewell and openwell pumps: a simple weekly-to-yearly checklist, warning signs and easy ways to protect your motor.
Most submersible pump failures come from a few preventable causes: dry running, unstable voltage, sand and silt, and a pump that is wrong for the job. Simple weekly observations, a monthly look at the control panel, seasonal checks before summer and monsoon, and a yearly inspection by a qualified technician will keep your borewell or openwell pump running longer and using less electricity.
Safety first: always switch off the main supply and isolate the pump before touching the panel, cable or pump. Electrical checks such as current measurement and insulation testing should be done only by a qualified electrician or pump technician.
Why submersibles need a routine
A submersible pump works out of sight, deep in a bore or at the bottom of a well. Problems build quietly until the pump stops, and lifting a borewell pump for repair takes time, labour and a trained crew. The aim of maintenance is to spot changes early, from the surface, before they become a burnt motor.
Submersible pump maintenance checklist
| When | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Every use | Smooth start, normal flow, no unusual sound or smell at the panel | Earliest warning of trouble |
| Weekly | Time taken to fill the overhead tank; panel voltage reading if fitted | A slower fill signals wear, leaks or falling water level |
| Monthly | Panel for loose or discoloured wires, moisture and insects; test dry-run or auto cut-off | Many electrical faults start in the panel |
| Every 3–6 months | Technician measures running current and voltage against the nameplate | High current means overload or low voltage |
| Before summer | Water level, pump setting depth, dry-run protection | Water tables drop sharply in April to June |
| Before monsoon | Rain-proofing of panel, earthing, surge protection | Moisture and lightning damage |
| Yearly | Insulation resistance test, cable joints, valves and pipes; openwell cleaning | Catches winding and cable deterioration early |
Keep a simple notebook of tank fill times, voltage and technician readings. Trends tell you far more than one-off numbers.
Electrical care
Keep voltage within limits
Low voltage is one of the commonest causes of motor failure in India, especially at the tail end of rural feeders and during summer peak hours. When voltage drops, the motor draws more current and heats up. Use a proper control panel or starter with overload protection and, for three phase pumps, single-phasing protection. In areas with severe fluctuation, ask your technician whether additional voltage protection suited to your pump rating is needed.
Look after capacitors (single phase pumps)
Single phase submersibles use a run capacitor, and often a start capacitor too, in the control box. A weak capacitor causes hard starting, humming and higher current. It should be replaced only with the same rating, by a technician.
Earthing, cable and joints
- Make sure the pump and panel are properly earthed.
- Underwater cable joints must be made with proper jointing kits and insulation.
- Cable size must suit the depth and motor rating; undersized cable causes voltage drop and heating.
Insulation resistance testing
Once a year, have a technician test the motor and cable insulation with an insulation tester (megger) and record the reading. A steadily falling value warns of moisture entering the motor or cable long before a breakdown.
Water-side care
Never let it run dry
Water cools and lubricates a submersible motor. Even a short spell of dry running can damage bearings and windings. Fit dry-run protection, set the pump safely below the lowest summer water level, and recheck the level before every summer.
Keep sand and silt out
- Keep a borewell pump a few metres above the bottom of the bore.
- If water turns sandy or muddy, switch off and get the bore and pump checked. Sand wears impellers quickly.
- In openwells, never let the pump rest in mud at the bottom; use a stand or suspend it at the right height.
Valves and pipes
- A healthy non-return valve stops water draining back and reduces water hammer.
- Look for leaks in delivery pipes and joints. In borewells, a leak in the column pipe shows up as reduced flow.
- Do not run the pump for long against a closed valve.
Borewell and openwell specific tips
Borewell pumps
- Note the static water level in different seasons; it helps when sizing a replacement later.
- Use a safety rope or wire of suitable strength so the pump can be recovered if a pipe joint fails.
- Leave lifting and lowering to an experienced crew with proper clamps.
Openwell pumps
- Clean the well when the water is low, removing leaves, debris and silt.
- Check the suspension rope or chain and the strainer for wear and blockage.
- Keep the control panel well above flood level.
Habits that add years to your pump
- Avoid frequent on-off cycling. Every start stresses the motor. Fix faulty float switches and leaking non-return valves that cause short cycling.
- Right-size the pump. An oversized pump runs out of water; an undersized one runs for hours. Our energy-efficient water pump tips explain how sizing affects your bill.
- Run idle pumps occasionally. If a pump sits unused for weeks, for example between crop seasons, run it briefly every couple of weeks to keep it from jamming.
- Never bypass protection to get water quickly during low voltage.
Warning signs that need a technician
- Flow or pressure noticeably lower than before
- Pump trips repeatedly, or the motor hums without starting
- Electricity bills rising without more usage
- Sandy or muddy water, or spluttering flow with air
- Burning smell, heat or sparking at the panel or cable
For likely causes and fixes for each symptom, see common water pump problems and solutions.
Need help with servicing?
Aqua Pump Engineer handles sales and service of pumps and motors from Secunderabad, Hyderabad, with servicing capabilities across India. Call +91-7799794047 or +91-9790854516 to book a service. Learn more about our pump sales and service in Hyderabad, or browse the Arrot-z product range if a replacement is due.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a submersible pump be serviced?
Owners should do simple checks every week and month, and have a qualified technician inspect the electrical side at least once a year, ideally before summer. Most submersibles do not need to be pulled out on a fixed schedule; they are lifted when performance drops or a fault appears.
What reduces the life of a submersible pump?
The most common causes are dry running, low or fluctuating voltage, single phasing on three phase supply, sand in the water, frequent on-off cycling and a pump that is the wrong size for the bore or well. Most of these can be prevented with proper protection and correct selection.
Can a submersible pump run without water?
No. The surrounding water cools the motor and lubricates the pump. Even a short period of dry running can damage bearings and windings, so fit dry-run protection and keep the pump below the lowest expected water level.
How do I know my submersible pump needs repair?
Warning signs include lower flow than before, repeated tripping, a motor that hums without starting, sandy or muddy water, rising electricity bills and any burning smell at the panel. Switch off and have a technician check it before the problem gets worse.