ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Single pole float switch / 240-volt pump

The problem with the "warning" is that BOTH sides of the switch are always 'hot.' It's just that current can't flow until the switch closes.

French, many of the smaller, say 1/2 hp or less, pumps have switches that carry the full current load. These pumps do not need magnetic starters. The floats usually have some feature which results in a different level for "on" than for "off."

Please remember that, theory aside, the NEC now requires disconnecting means to open ALL 'hot' conductors. Likewise, you are required to have over-current protection on both legs of a 230 single-phase circuit.