A float switch is a reliable method of activating pumps, drains, warning lights, and sirens. It is commonly used in sump pumps and water wells, and in toilet tanks to control the flow of water. The switch is activated when the float reaches a certain level, and turns off when the float stabilizes at a lower level. The switch is often a mercury switch, but can also be a microswitch connected to a rod. The float switch is effective and durable, and is commonly used in a variety of settings and applications.
A float switch is a switch mounted inside a float that activates when the float reaches a certain level. Often, a mercury switch is activated once the float switch has reached a particular angle and then turns off when the float has once again stabilized at a lower angle or level. Occasionally, the float switch will be nothing more than a float connected to a microswitch by a rod that turns the switch on and off as the float moves up and down. Commonly used on sump pumps and water wells, the float switch is considered a simple, yet reliable method of activating pumps, drains, warning lights and sirens in a myriad of settings and applications.
One version of the float switch is used in the toilet tank and controls the flow of water into the holding tank. When the water level drops upon flushing, a large float attached to a metal rod moves down and activates a water valve that allows water to enter the toilet tank. When the water level is restored inside the tank, the float rises to the surface of the water. When the float reaches its maximum position, the switch is turned off, thus cutting off the flow of water into the tank. This process is repeated after each wash, thus demonstrating the effectiveness and durability of the float switch.
When used in a typical sump pump application, the float switch is used to turn an electric pump on and off. As water enters the sump pump tank, a plastic or metal float begins to rise. The float is commonly attached to a rigid structure at one end, thus causing the float to rotate or flip as it settles on the water level. A mercury switch inside the float is connected to an electric pump via a harness that runs through the pump frame. Once the float is at the correct angle, the mercury flows to the underside of the switch and completes the circuit, allowing electricity to reach the pump motor and begin pumping water out of the basement or structure.
Once the water has been pumped out of the tank and the float reaches its resting level again, the mercury seeps out of the switch and contact within the wiring is broken, shutting down the pump motor. While plastic is used for many of the float switch designs, occasionally a metal float will be used on high-end sump pumps and well motors. In this design, the float switch is commonly housed in a copper, aluminum, or tin float container to prevent rusting and deterioration in the submerged position.
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