Basic Instructions for Installing a Submersible Bore / Well Pump

These are basic instructions to use as a guide only. There are different methods of installing bore pumps.
Before installing a bore pump, please make sure you have the correct bore pump for the job.

Installing Pump in Bore

There are many different ways to install a Submersible Bore Pump (also called Deep Well Pumps).

Here is one method of Pump Installation:

• Splice (join) the cable from the bore pump motor to the submersible electrical drop cable. Refer to the section below on Cable Splice. You will need a Splice Kit to join the two cables.

• Feed the other end of the submersible electrical cable through the hole in the bore cap and fix.
• Lay the pump with cable along the ground from the top of the bore, so that the pump is at the bore end.
• Lay the pipe and block the ends of the pipe so that no stones, dirt or gravel can enter the ends of the pipe. Lay the pipe along the ground along-side the electrical cable and pump. It is very important that you don’t kink or bend the poly (if using poly pipe) as this can result in the poly splitting later.
• Install the shroud (if needed). Refer to the section below on Bore Pump Shroud.
• Connect the bore pump to the pipe using the correct fitting.
• Connect the bore cap at the other end of the pipe using appropriately rated pipe fitting.

• Make sure there is a good quality non-return valve included in the line.
• Lay the water level probes (if needed) next to the pipe.
• Tape the probes and electrical cable to the pipe every 3 meters to prevent snarling of cable. Use a strong tape such as duct tape. This step will be different if using the Flexibore Riser Pipe.
• Attach the stainless steel support cable to the pump.

• Refer to the section below on Stainless Steel Support Cable. If you are using flexible riser pipe, you won’t need the SS Cable.
• You should now see bundled together and laid out on the ground, the riser pipe, electrical cable and level probes taped together. Laying alongside them is the safety cable which is not strapped to the riser pipe.
• Make sure the SS support cable is connected to the bore cap or top of bore securely as this is what will be supporting the pump so you don’t lose it down the bore.

• The bundle of pump, pipe, cable, probes and safely cable can now be carefully lowered into the bore taking care not to cut or chafe the cable insulation on the bore casing.
• Lower the pump into the bore slowly using the support cable without force to the required depth. An Installation Roller can be used here to make the job easier. Your bore report will usually have a recommended ‘pump set depth’. Make sure the poly doesn’t kink at all when lowering it into the bore as it may possibly cause the poly to split later when under pressure.
• Do not set the bore pump at the bottom of the bore. The pump should be positioned at the recommended ‘Pump Set Depth’ on the bore report or just above the casing slots. Contact your driller if you are unsure of the Pump Set Depth.
• Pull on the bore pump support cable so the weight of the pump is on the cable and then fix it.
• Wire the submersible cable to the appropriate control / starter device if it has one.

Pump Start Up

Partially throttle the pump and run until the water is clear of sand or any impurities. Gradually open the throttle valve (gate valve) until the pressure gauge is at the required operating pressure. If the pressure gauge continues to drop once valve is set the water level is dropping in the bore. Close the valve further until a steady operating pressure is shown on the gauge. If the capacity of the bore is unreliable a flow switch with timer or bore probes should be used to protect the pump from running dry.

Bore Pump Shroud

If the pump is being installed below the water inlet level (slots in bore casing), then a pump shroud should be used. A shroud should also be used in:

• Cascading bores
• Low yielding bores
• Top feeding bores
• If you are using a 4” bore pump and the bore casing is greater than 5”diameter
• If the pump is throttled back more than 25% of it’s rated flow
• If the position of the slots in the casing is unknown
• If the pump is being installed in a dam or river
• If the pump is to be set below the production level of the bore

Pump shrouds are installed over the body of the pump and motor. The shroud protects the pump from damage from falling sand and ensures that the water flow past the motor is sufficient to achieve adequate cooling of the motor. Failure to install a shroud can result in motor shutdown and failure. A pump shroud can easily be made from PVC pipe in conjunction with a shroud adapter.

Cable Splice

After first checking the electrical cable size for suitability, proceed with the cable splice. This is a very important step and extreme care should be taken.

On three phase pumps, check for the direction of rotation before installing the pump in the bore. The pump should run anti-clockwise when looking down on it. Should the direction be wrong, swap or change any 2 leads at the termination box. Proper heat shrink with resin need to be used to seal underwater joins. We sell ‘Splice Kits‘ here.

All systems need to be properly earthed. All wiring should conform to national and local codes and be done by a competent electrician.

Stainless Steel Support Cable

Never allow the pump weight to be supported by the electric cable or riser pipe. Stainless steel safety cable must always be installed to support the pump. A couple of strong saddles/grips is often used to connect the safely cable to the designated hole in the top of the bore pump. The support cable should be secured to the well / bore head fitting which in turn should be able to transfer the weight to the concrete surface pad around the top of the bore casing. Stainless steel support cable is required to provide insurance for those unfortunate times when the metric poly pipe breaks or loosens in the fittings. It is used for lifting the pump in and out of the bore and to support the pump in the bore so there is no pump weight on the electrical cable or the rising main.

Polythylene Pipe Class

Water delivery pipe, needs to be of sufficient pressure rating and diameter to sustain pressure loads and still deliver adequate flow rates without being restricted by friction loss. All pipe fittings need to be of the same or better pressure rating as the rising main. It is very important to check the pressure rating of the pipe and make sure it is compatible with the pump operating pressure. If you take the pump details along with the depth that you are installing the pump at and the pump operating pressure required, to your irrigation store, they will let you know exactly what size pipe to get. An alternative to using poly pipe is the lay flat flexible riser pipe.

There are many variations to the following method of bore pump installation. I have included these instructions as a general guideline. If you have your own method and have photos or video which you would like me to include on this site, please contact me.

All the accessories needed to install a bore pump are listed on my Bore Pump Accessories page.