Abstract: A liquid barrier trap for a pump testing and monitoring system is disclosed herein. The liquid barrier provides a barrier to exhaust gases and fluids from escaping a pit that includes the pump under test. The pit may be a sump pit or an ejector pit. The liquid barrier may include a P-trap. The liquid barrier may include an inlet conduit in fluid communication with a valve for admitting water thereto. The liquid barrier may include an outlet fluid conduit extending through a pit cover and permitting water to be admitted into the pit.

Abstract: A liquid barrier trap for a pump testing and monitoring system is disclosed herein. The liquid barrier provides a barrier to exhaust gases and fluids from escaping a pit that includes the pump under test. The pit may be a sump pit or an ejector pit. The liquid barrier may include a P-trap. The liquid barrier may include an inlet conduit in fluid communication with a valve for admitting water thereto. The liquid barrier may include an outlet fluid conduit extending through a pit cover and permitting water to be admitted into the pit.

Abstract: A test and monitoring system for a pump installation that initiates a cycle, admits liquid to the pump installation by an electrically-actuated valve, detects a predetermined event, stops admittance of the liquid to the pump installation by the electrically-actuated valve, and indicates results of the test cycle. The predetermined event may be a passage of a predetermined amount of time, an input from a liquid level sensor, or an input from a current sensor. The current sensor may be in electrical communication with a pump of the pump installation. The pump installation may be a sump pump installation.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and testing a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid to the liquid container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module includes a test control circuit 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, after which the sump pump discharges liquid from the container until a predetermined event terminates the test cycle. An indicator circuit indicates in response to completion of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful. A communications circuit is included which receives and verifies control signals addressed to the system from an external originator to allow a test cycle to be remotely initiated in the event of impending severe weather or other threats.

Abstract: An automated system for testing and monitoring a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid to the sump container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module actuates the valve to initiate a test cycle during which liquid is admitted to the sump container to cause the liquid level in the container to rise to a predetermined level, after which the pump, if functional, discharges liquid from the container until the liquid level falls to a lower level and the test cycle is terminated. The test control module includes an indicator circuit which indicates in response to completion of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful. A processor circuit records the elapsed time of successive test cycles and the current supplied to the sump pump motor to identify trends or anomalies in the operation of the pump and provide an output signal indicative thereof.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing module for sensing a high liquid level in a sump container rising comprises a first liquid-actuated switch which provides a first output signal upon the liquid level reaching a first level, and a second liquid-actuated switch which provides a second output signal upon the liquid level reaching a second level above the first. A delay circuit delays the first output signal by a period if time sufficient for the liquid to rise from the first switch level to the second switch level to produce a delayed output signal. An alarm circuit produces a fault signal indicating a switch module fault upon the occurrence of the second output signal.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and testing a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid into the liquid container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module 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 after which the pump, if functional, discharges liquid from the container and the test cycle is terminated. The test control module includes a timer circuit which, if the test cycle is not terminated by the pump, terminates the test cycle and terminates application of the valve control signal to the valve after a predetermined time out period following initiation of the test cycle. The test control module further includes an indicator circuit which indicates upon termination of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful.

Abstract: A test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having a battery-powered sump pump which pumps liquid from a sump container when the liquid level in the container rises. A current probe operatively associated with the electrical circuit between the battery and the pump provides an output signal indicative of current flow to the motor. The system includes a control module which is periodically actuated to initiate a test cycle wherein a valve is actuated open to admit liquid into the pit. If the pump is operative, the pump pumps liquid from the container, causing the liquid level in the sump container to fall, and the control module in response to the output signal of the current probe to terminate the test cycle and indicate a successful test. If the sump pump is inoperative, the liquid level in the container continues to rise and the test cycle is terminated, the valve is closed and an unsuccessful test is indicated.

Abstract: A test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having two electrically-powered pumps in a sump container wherein each, when actuated by rising liquid in the container, pump water from the container to a dispersal site. A test control module initiates a first test cycle in which the operation of the second pump is inhibited and fresh water is admitted into the container until the first pump, if functional, pumps liquid from the container. The test control module then initiates a second test cycle in which operation of the first pump is inhibited and fresh water is again admitted into the container until the second pump, if functional, pumps liquid from the container. A separate indication of a satisfactory of unsatisfactory test is given for each sump pump.

Abstract: A self-monitoring valve module responsive to an actuating signal for admitting liquid into a sump container to test a sump pump includes an electrically-actuated valve responsive to the actuating signal to establish flow into the container, and a flow sensor which provides an output signal indicative of liquid flow through the valve, and a monitoring circuit which provides a fault signal indicating failure of the valve when the actuating signal is not calling for actuation of the valve and the flow sensor output signal indicates flow through the fluid conduit, or when the actuating signal is calling for actuation of the valve and the flow sensor output signal indicates no flow in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A self-protecting valve assembly for use in conjunction with a sump pump test and monitoring system having a test control module which generates a valve control signal for opening the valve to initiate a test cycle. The valve assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve which is responsive only to a valve-actuating signal and not to the valve control signal. A conversion circuit in the valve assembly converts the valve control signal to a valve actuating signal to actuate the valve. This protects the valve from receiving a false actuating signal in the event of a failure in the test control module.

Abstract: An automated battery-powered backup AC power supply system for a sump pump installation of the type having a sump pump and a pump controller which connects the sump pump motor to the AC line to operate in response to a rising liquid level in the sump container. The system includes a standby battery and an inverter operable from the battery for supplying AC power to the sump pump installation in the event of AC power failure or during periodic testing of the sump pump installation. A power controller senses whether the sump pump motor is connected to the AC line by the pump controller and connects the AC inverter to the backup battery to supply AC power to the installation only when the pump is connected, thereby minimizing idle current drain on the battery and prolonging the backup availability of the system.

Abstract: A proactive test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having an electrically-powered sump pump which pumps water from a sump pit to a dispersal site when the water level in the pit rises to a predetermined level. The system includes a control module which is periodically actuated by an event timer to initiate a test cycle wherein a valve is actuated open to admit water into the pit. If the pump is operative, the pump operates and the water level in the pit falls, the test cycle is terminated and a successful test is indicated. If the pump is inoperative, the water level continues to rise and the test cycle is terminated, the valve is closed and an unsuccessful test is indicated. Thus the sump pump installation is periodically tested to improve the reliability of the pump and to signal pump inoperability in advance of any potential flood event requiring operation of the pump installation.