05.06 Are motor starters needed for pumps?

Complete protection and monitoring of pumps requires motor starter characteristics as follows:

1. Lockable disconnect switch
2. Hand – Off – Auto switch
3. Motor starter / contactor
4. Motor overload protection and monitoring contact
5. Current sensor
6. Design to start in Manual mode on line power – independent of control power.

Submersible pumps used in service stations typically have a control box that incorporates Items 3 and 4, with Item 1 covered by the circuit breaker within the building power distribution panel. These are typically not considered to be appropriate for emergency power fuel systems.