Grinder Pump Installation: Location, Location, Location

In the April 2013 issue of Onsite Installer magazine, the Basic Training article is about site evaluation and its importance for a successful installation. The article uses septic tanks in its example, but good site evaluation is also important for grinder pump stations.

Following E/One's installation instructions is important because installation problems will void the warranty. E/One specifies proper ballast, back fill, burial depth and finished grade.

WH101F grinder pump station

"Site Evaluation: The First Steps" makes the following points, which are also good points to keep in mind when installing grinder pump stations:

On the Property
The grinder pump station should not be installed in a low-lying area where excess water normally collects, swales, or traffic areas. If the station is installed in a low-lying area where water collects, this excess water can enter the station through the vent in the lid and cause the pump to run unnecessarily. Sand and small stones could also enter the station and cause excess wear to the pump stator. E/One's standard station is not traffic rated and should be installed out of the way of traffic.

E/One offers different lid options for floodplain and high flood areas — see the model WH101F grinder pump station (at right) as an example.



Panel Placement 
The alarm panel should be installed where it can be seen and heard easily by the homeowner. After all, the alarm panel's job is to alert the homeowner if the pump experiences any problems.

Incorrect panel location

The photo at right shows an example of where not to install an alarm panel — the panel is completely out of view from the homeowner.

If the panel must be installed in an area that is not easily seen or heard, E/One's Remote Sentry can be installed inside the building.


E/One Installation Instructions
Installation instructions for each model of E/One's grinder pump stations are available on the web site. We also have a video tutorial on our YouTube channel.

Questions about E/One grinder pump installation? Contact us via email or 518.346.6161, or contact your local distributor. We're here to help!

New Alarm Panel for Duplex Grinder Pump Stations

E/One is pleased to announce the availability of E/One Sentry Protect Plus for duplex grinder pump stations.

E/One Sentry alarm panels are UL-listed and include lockable, NEMA 4X-rated enclosures. From basic monitored to advanced warning of pending service needs, E/One Sentry panels are customizable and designed for use with simplex and duplex Extreme Series grinder pump stations.

The Protect Plus panel's dead front includes a membrane switch with LED indicators and an LCD message display. The Protect Plus option provides protection from low voltage (brownout), run dry and high system pressure situations. With each condition a lockout cycle will prevent the motor from operating, the Trouble LED will illuminate and the LCD will display the lockout message.

Features exclusive to Protect Plus include: high/low voltage monitoring; high/low wattage monitoring; extended run time; cycle/event counter; adjustable run time limit; adjustable power-up and alarm delays; and system self-test.

Available options include generator receptacle with manual transfer; main service disconnect; E/One's Remote Sentry; and an external auto-dialer.

Get more information at E/One's web site.

E/One Product Spotlight: Alarm Panels

E/One offers a range of alarm panels for its grinder pumps. Called the E/One Sentry panel, a range of features is available to fit your needs. All panels are corrosion-proof, NEMA 4X-rated, thermoplastic enclosures and supplied with audible and visual high level alarms. Standard panels are approved by UL, CSA, CE and NSF to ensure high quality and safety.

Basic Panel: The Basic panel includes audible (with manual silence) and visual alarms, manual run feature and run indicator, redundant start function with high-level alarm, terminal blocks and ground lugs.

Protect Panel: The Protect panel includes all of the features of the Basic panel. Trouble indication shuts down the pump temporarily in the event of an unacceptable operating condition (brownout conditions with the electrical power supply; system over-pressure condition such as with a closed valve; run-dry operation of the pump). The Protect panel also has a contact group (dry, powered, Remote Sentry).

Protect Plus Panel: The Protect Plus panel includes all of the features of the Basic and Protect panels, but also offers a predictive status display module; pre-alarm indication for major operating parameters; alarm indications for major operating parameters; hour meter, cycle counter and alarm delay; and an LCD display and user-friendly interface.

PreSTAT Panel: E/One Sentry PreSTAT provides advance warning of pending service needs by monitoring major operating conditions. A Trouble indication is provided when these conditions fall outside of normal ranges, although the grinder pump station may continue to operate. PreSTAT also includes a programmable auto-dialer; predictive status display module; hour meter, cycle counter and alarm delay; LCD display and user-friendly interface.

Many options are available. More information about E/One Sentry alarm panels, including drawings, can be found in the Product Catalog section of E/One's web site.