I've worked on many types of pump control schemes from bubblers with pressure transducers, to metal probes with Gems sensors, to Healy-Ruffs with dial indicators, cables, pulleys, cams, and Hg switches. The 9038 mechanical alternator I described, starts and stops 1 or 2 pumps with only 1 float and a rod with 2 collars. They can even control single phase pumps directly although we don't use them that way. They can also be ordered to include the alarm option but we always use a separate float or sensor so we won't have all of our eggs in one basket.
I'll bet that I've seen the system(s) that you're dealing with but you would have to provide more of a description.
Just to make sure that we are on the same page, this is how I check the sump pumps and 63W alarm at our substations.
1.) Make sure there is enough water in the sump to keep the pumps from running dry.
2.) Lift the alternator lever to the 1st click to make sure Pump 1 starts and runs for a few seconds, before lowering the lever to stop the pump.
3.) Repeat step 2 to make sure Pump 2 starts.
4.) Lift lever to 2nd click and verify that Pump 1 also starts, and then lower lever to stop both pumps.
5.) Raise lever to 1st click again to verify that Pump 2 starts. (No alternation because both pumps ran.)
6.) Allow the pump to run until the upper collar on the float rod turns it off.
7.) Open both pump disconnects and use a hose to fill the sump until the 63W Alarm annunciation. Verify that this occurs at a higher level than the second stage of the alternator switch. Our alarm is actually a pressure switch instead of a float.
8.) Stop filling the sump and close both pump disconnects to restore normal operation. Reset the Annunciator.
If the above steps check out OK, I'm confident that the pump scheme is working as designed.
Joe
