Test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation having a self-protecting valve assembly for admitting water to the sump container

In a test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having a sump container and an electrically-powered sump pump which operates in response to a rising liquid level in the container to pump liquid from the container, and wherein the system includes a test control module for generating a valve control signal for initiating a test of the pump and for indicating a successful test in response to the pump pumping liquid from the container, a self-protecting valve assembly responsive to a control signal generated by the control module for admitting liquid from an external source to cause the pump to operate, comprising:

• an electrically-actuated valve responsive to an actuating signal and non-responsive to the control signal, which, when actuated, establishes a fluid conduit between the external source and the pump container;
• and
• a valve actuating circuit providing, upon the receipt and verification of the control signal generated by the test control module, an actuating signal to actuate the valve.