Test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation having a self-monitoring liquid level sensing module

An automated system for monitoring and testing a sump pump installation of the type having a liquid container and a motor driven pump which when powered discharges liquid from the container, the monitoring system comprising:

• an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid to the liquid container in response to a valve control signal;
• a test control module which when actuated supplies a valve control signal to initiate a test cycle during which liquid is admitted to the container to cause the liquid level in the container to rise, to test the pump discharging of liquid from the container, said test control module then supplies a valve control signal to stop the admittance of liquid upon a predetermined event terminating the test cycle;
• a liquid level sensing module sensing liquid in the container rising above a predetermined actuating level, comprising:
• a first liquid responsive switch circuit providing a first switch output signal upon the liquid level in the container reaching a first predetermined alarm level above the predetermined actuating level;
• a second liquid responsive switch circuit providing a second switch output signal upon the liquid level reaching a second predetermined alarm level in the container above the first predetermined alarm level;
• a delay circuit delaying the first switch output signal by a predetermined period of time to produce a delayed switch output signal;
• an alarm circuit producing a fault signal upon the occurrence of the second switch output signal in the absence of the first switch output signal, or upon the occurrence of the delayed switch output signal in the absence of the second switch output signal;
• and,
• the occurrence of either the delayed switch output signal or the second switch output signal producing an alarm indicative of the pump failing to function.

An automated system for testing and monitoring a sump pump installation of the type having a liquid container, a motor driven pump which following activation operates until subsequently deactivated by a predetermined control effect to pump liquid from the container, and a pump switch circuit which supplies current to the pump motor to activate the pump upon the liquid level in the container having risen to a predetermined actuating level, the system comprising:

• a liquid conduit connected to an external liquid source and including an electrically-actuated valve which when open flows liquid from the external source into the container;
• a test control module which when actuated opens the electrically-actuated valve to initiate a test cycle during which liquid flows into the container to cause the liquid level therein to rise to at least the predetermined actuating level, after which the motor driven pump is activated to pump liquid from the container and the test control module closes the valve to terminate the flow of liquid into the container, the pump continuing to operate until occurrence of the predetermined control effect;
• and,
• a liquid level sensing module sensing liquid in the container rising above the predetermined actuating level, comprising:
• a first liquid responsive switch circuit providing a first switch output signal upon the liquid level in the container reaching a first predetermined alarm level above the predetermined actuating level;
• a second liquid responsive switch circuit providing a second switch output signal upon the liquid level reaching a second predetermined alarm level in the container above the first predetermined alarm level;
• a delay circuit delaying the first switch output signal by a predetermined period of time to produce a delayed switch output signal;
• an alarm circuit producing a fault signal upon the occurrence of the second switch output signal in the absence of the first switch output signal, or upon the occurrence of the delayed switch output signal in the absence of the second switch output signal;
• and,
• the occurrence of either the delayed switch output signal or the second switch output signal producing an alarm indicative of the pump failing to function.

An automated system for testing and monitoring a sump pump installation of the type having a liquid container, a motor driven pump which following activation operates until subsequently deactivated by a predetermined control effect to pump liquid from the container, and a pump switch circuit which activates the pump by supplying operating current to the pump motor upon sensing the liquid level in the container having risen to a predetermined actuating level, the system comprising:

• a liquid conduit connected to an external liquid source and including an electrically-actuated valve which opens to flow liquid from the external source into the container in response to an applied valve control signal;
• a test control module which when actuated applies a valve control signal to the electrically-actuated valve to open the valve to initiate a test cycle during which liquid flows into the container to cause the liquid level therein to rise to at least the predetermined actuating level, after which the pump switch circuit supplies current to the pump motor to activate the pump to pump liquid from the container, and the test control module closes the valve to terminate the flow of liquid into the container, the pump switch circuit continuing to supply current to the pump motor causing the pump to continue to operate until occurrence of the predetermined control effect;
• wherein the test control module includes a current sensor circuit sensing current supplied to the pump motor by the pump switch circuit;
• wherein the test control module further includes an indicator circuit which, in response to the current sensor sensing the termination of current flow to the pump motor, indicates the occurrence of a successful test;
• and,
• a liquid level sensing module sensing liquid in the container rising above the predetermined actuating level, comprising:
• a first liquid responsive switch circuit providing a first switch output signal upon the liquid level in the container reaching a first predetermined alarm level above the predetermined actuating level;
• a second liquid responsive switch circuit providing a second switch output signal upon the liquid level reaching a second predetermined alarm level in the container above the first predetermined alarm level;
• a delay circuit delaying the first switch output signal by a predetermined period of time to produce a delayed switch output signal;
• an alarm circuit producing a fault signal upon the occurrence of the second switch output signal in the absence of the first switch output signal, or upon the occurrence of the delayed switch output signal in the absence of the second switch output signal;
• and,
• the occurrence of either the delayed switch output signal or the second switch output signal producing an alarm indicative of the pump failing to function.