Troubleshooting: Water Pump Will Not Start

A water pump that suddenly refuses to start can bring an entire system to a standstill. Whether you are dealing with a residential water supply system, irrigation equipment, industrial machinery, or a booster pump, a pump that won't start is a problem that needs to be diagnosed quickly.

In most cases, the cause is not as complicated as it may seem. If your water pump fails to start, there are six common causes worth checking first:

1. Low power supply voltage;
2. A jammed or blocked impeller;
3. Phase loss;
4. Excessive voltage drop in the power line;
5. A burned stator or motor winding;
6. A damaged or burned-out capacitor.