Inspection and Storage
Initial Inspection
The pump should be immediately inspected for damage that may
have occurred in shipment.
1.
Visually check the pump and any spare parts for damage.
2.
Check for damaged electrical wires, especially where they exit
the motor housing.
Contact Liberty Pumps customer service to report any damage or
shortage of parts.
Storage Before Use
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
Protect the power and control cords from the environment.
Unprotected power and control (switch) cords can allow water
to wick through ends into pump or switch housings, causing
surroundings to become energized.
At no time shall the pump be stored within an incomplete wet
pit. The pump shall not be placed into the pit until it can be
fully operational.
Do not allow the pump to freeze.
Pumps are shipped from the factory ready for installation and use.
Hold the pump in storage if the pump station is not complete.
If storage is necessary, the pump should remain in its shipping
container. It should be stored in a clean, dry temperature-stable
environment where the pump and its container are covered to
protect it from water, dirt, vibration, etc. The cord ends must be
protected against moisture.
Uninstalled pumps that are idle for greater than three months
should have impellers manually rotated once a month to lubricate
the seals.
Pump System Components
Float Switches
Automatic Models
Automatic pumps come with two cords—one to the float switch
and the other to the pump motor. The switch cord has a series
(piggyback) plug enabling the pump motor cord to be plugged
into the back of it. The purpose of this design is to allow temporary
manual operation of the pump.
For manual operation, or in the event of switch failure, the pump
cord can be separated and plugged into the electrical outlet,
directly bypassing the switch. Refer to Piggyback Switch
Operation on page 5.
Switchless (Manual) Models
Manual pumps with no switch may be operated by directly
plugging into an approved electrical outlet. To prevent excessive
seal wear and overheating, pumps should not be run dry for
extended periods of time. If manual models are to be used with an
optional control device, follow the instructions provided with the
control and make power connections per those instructions.
4 | EN
Power and Control Cords
Do not remove cord and strain relief, and do not connect
Each cord has a green lead. This is the ground wire and must
The power and control cords cannot be spliced, though a junction
box may be used.
Pump Design
Liberty Pumps provides an integral anti-airlock hole in the volute
housing of submersible pumps. Airlock occurs when air gets
trapped in the volute/impeller area of the pump and cannot escape
due to the water column above the check valve on the discharge
line. When the basin fills with water and the pump is called to
activate, the impeller spins in this pocket of air and cannot prime.
An anti-airlock hole allows this trapped air to escape, allowing the
pump to prime and start pumping.
A small spray of water from this hole is normal while pump is
running. Bleeding off the air could take from several seconds to
more than a minute once the pump starts.
Preparation
A sump basin cover is required for safety and to prevent foreign
objects from entering the basin.
Prepare Existing Sump [Basin]
Always disconnect pump(s) from power source(s) before
If replacing a previously installed pump, prepare the basin by
removing the old pump. Separate the discharge pipe at either the
check valve or at the union. If neither a check valve nor a union is
part of the existing discharge pipe, cut the pipe with a hacksaw and
remove the pump. A check valve and optional union will need to be
installed at this cut.
Clean any debris from the basin. Inspect all remaining equipment
in the basin including piping, valves, and electrical junction boxes
(if present) and repair or replace as appropriate.
If the basin is not already enclosed on the bottom, provide a hard
level bottom of bricks or concrete. Do not place the pump directly
on earth, gravel, or debris since this can cause excessive wear of the
impeller and possible jamming. "The Brick" (Liberty Pumps
#4445000) is a pre-molded stable platform designed to fit the
submersible pump. It raises the pump 2-1/2" off the bottom of the
basin, reducing the potential for jamming from rocks and debris.
Contact a local distributor to order.
Copyright © Liberty Pumps, Inc. 2023 All rights reserved.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
conduit to pump.
be grounded properly per NEC
RISK OF FIRE
handling or making any adjustments to either the pump(s),
the pump system, or the control panel.
®
and/or local codes.
7387000F