How to Wire a Lawn Sprinkler Pump

Overview

For homes on a well system, there are only two viable options for supplying an irrigation system without tapping the home well. These options are to have another well drilled and build or use a pond. Either way, the system will require a separate pump to supply water. This pump is very similar to a home well pump. The major differences come from the lack of a pressure tank and the wiring requirements for the pump.

Step 1

Determine the location for the pump relay and mount according to manufacturer's instructions. Most relays are not weatherproof and have to be mounted in a protected area.

Step 2

Run the power supply and pump control wires from the breaker panel and pump to the relay location. This should be done by a licensed electrician. The power supply wire can carry as much as 240 volts. Have the electrician, or person running the wire and connecting it in the breaker panel, label the wires L1, L2 and Ground.

Step 3

Connect the pump control wire to the pump power wires. This connection may need to be done by a licensed electrician or well-certified plumber. Each pump will connect differently based on the wiring of the pump motor. Refer to the owner's manual for the pump to determine the correct wiring.

Step 4

Run the irrigation control wire(s) from the controller to the pump relay location. These are the wires the controller will use to tell the relay to turn the pump on and off.

Step 5

Run all three sets of wires inside the relay box. Every relay box is different, so check the owner's manual for the proper procedure to run the wires inside the box.

Step 6

Connect the L1 wire from the breaker panel, power supply, to the L1 input of the relay and the L2 wire from the breaker panel, power supply, to the L2 input of the relay. Strip the wires, twist the ends together and cap with a wire nut.

Step 7

Connect the L1 wire from the pump, power supply, to the L1 output of the relay and the L2 wire from the pump, power supply, to the L2 output of the relay. Strip the wires, twist the ends together and cap with a wire nut.

Step 8

Connect the ground wires from the pump and the power supply together. Strip the wire ends, twist together and cap with a wire nut.

Step 9

Connect the black irrigation wire to the 24-volt control wire and connect the white irrigation wire to the other 24-volt common wire inside the relay box. Check the owner's manual for the proper wire locations. Close the relay box.

Step 10

Open the control panel on the irrigation controller and find the pump control terminals. Check the owner's manual for the irrigation controller for the proper terminals and location of the terminals.

Step 11

Connect the black irrigation wire to the master control terminal on the controller and the white wire to the common terminal on the controller. Check the owner's manual to ensure proper locations are used. Every controller is wired slightly differently. Close the controller.

Step 12

Turn on the power for the pump at the breaker panel.

Step 13

Turn the irrigation system on at the controller. The pump should run. If it does not run, double-check all the connections, or have a licensed electrician look over the installation.