Abstract: A pump shut-down system is disclosed for preventing damage to the pump from bearing failure. That system has a metal bar located within a preset clearance distance from a traveling element of the pump (such as a piston rod), a voltage source in electrical contact with the metal bar, an automatic shut-down relay in electrical contact with the voltage source, and an electrical ground on the pump in electrical contact with the voltage source. The metal bar, voltage source, automatic shut-down relay, and electrical ground all form an electrical circuit. That circuit is open when the metal bar is not in physical contact with the traveling element, and is closed whenever the metal bar is in physical contact with the traveling element. Whenever the circuit is closed, the automatic shut-down relay shuts down the pump.