Control system and method for water supply

A control system to safeguard against water loss in a water supply system fed from a source of water via a pump to at least one occludable outlet, said water supply system having a water pressure sensitive electrical switch located downstream of said pump and upstream of said outlet(s), said electrical switch being connected in series with an electrical supply for said pump, turning said pump on in response to a drop in water pressure downstream of said switch and turning said pump off in response to water pressure downstream of said switch reaching a predetermined minimum pressure;

• said control system comprising a timer connected in parallel with said pump and energized via said water pressure sensitive electrical switch, a normally closed safeguard switch connected in series with said pump and being rendered non-conductive by said timer being energized for a predetermined period, and a normally open valve connected in series with said pump and connected to said timer, whereby said safeguard switch prevents said pump operating continuously for more than said predetermined period and said normally open valve is closed by said timer when said predetermined time is exceeded to prevent water flowing through the non-operating pump.

A method of safeguarding against excessive water loss in a water supply system fed from a source of water via a pump to at least one occludable outlet, said water supply system having a water pressure sensitive electrical switch located downstream of said pump and upstream of said outlet(s), said electrical switch being connected in series with an electrical supply for said pump, turning said pump on in response to a drop in water pressure downstream of said switch and turning said pump off in response to water pressure downstream of said switch reaching a predetermined minimum pressure;

• said method comprising limiting the time of continuous operation of said pump to a predetermined maximum time and after said predetermined maximum time activating a normally open valve connected in series with said pump to prevent water flowing through the non-operative pump.

The control switch as claimed in 22 wherein a reset switch is connected in series with said timer.

The control switch as claimed in 23 wherein a reset switch is connected in series with said timer.