Hydromatic SPX50 Manual

Submersible Explosion-Proof Pumps
SPX50/SPX50H
NOTE! To the installer: Please make sure you provide
this manual to the owner of the pumping equipment or to
the responsible party who maintains the system.
Pump Installation and Service Manual

2
Thank you for purchasing your
Hydromatic®pump. To help
ensure years of trouble-free
operation, please read the
following manual carefully.
Before Operation:
Reasonable care and safe methods
should be practiced. Check
local codes and requirements
before installation.
Attention:
This manual contains important
information for the safe use of
this product. Read this manual
completely before using this
product and refer to it often for
continued safe product use.
DO NOT THROW AWAY OR
LOSE THIS MANUAL. Keep it
in a safe place so that you may
refer to it often.
WARNING: Before handling
these pumps and controls,
always disconnect the power
first. Do not smoke or use
sparkable electrical devices or
flames in a septic (gaseous) or
possible septic sump.
1. Most accidents can be avoided
by using COMMON SENSE.
2. Read the operation and
maintenance instructions
manual supplied with the
pump.
3. Do not wear loose clothing
that can become entangled
in the impeller or other
moving parts.
4. This pump is designed to
handle materials that could
cause illness or disease
through direct exposure. Wear
adequate protective clothing
when working on the pump
or piping.
Electrical:
5. To reduce the risk of
electrical shock, pump must
be properly grounded in
accordance with the National
Electric Code and all
applicable state and local
codes and ordinances.
6. To reduce risk of electrical
shock, disconnect the pump
from the power source before
handling or servicing.
7. Any wiring to be done on
pumps should be done by a
qualified electrician.
8. Never operate a pump with a
power cord that has frayed or
brittle insulation.
9. Never let cords or plugs lie in
water.
10.Never handle connected
power cords with wet hands.
Pumps:
11. Pump builds up heat and
pressure during operation;
allow time for pump to cool
before handling or servicing.
12.Only qualified personnel
should install, operate or
repair pump.
13.Keep clear of suction and
discharge openings. DO NOT
insert fingers in pump with
power connected.
General
Information
Pump
Introduction
14.Do not pump hazardous
material not recommended for
pump Group 1, Div. 1, Class D
(flammable, caustic, etc.).
15. Make sure lifting handles are
securely fastened each time
before lifting.
16.Do not lift pump by the
power cord.
17. Do not exceed manufacturer’s
recommendation for maximum
performance, as this could
cause the motor to overheat.
18.Secure the pump in its
operating position so it cannot
tip over, fall or slide.
19.Keep hands and feet away
from impeller when power
is connected.
20.Submersible sump pumps
are not approved for use in
swimming pools, recreational
water installations, decorative
fountains or any installation
where human contact with the
pumped fluid is common.
21. Do not operate pump without
safety devices in place.
22. For hazardous locations, use
pumps that are listed and
classified for such locations.
IMPORTANT: Hydromatic is not
responsible for losses, injury
or death resulting from a
failure to observe these safety
precautions, misuse or abuse
of pumps or equipment.

3
Pump
Information
Pump Models:
These instructions cover the
installation and service of the
Hydromatic SPX50 and SPX50H
series submersible sump pumps.
The models are CSA listed
explosion-proof for hazardous
wastewater locations Group 1,
Div. 1, Class D.
Motor HP & Voltages:
The SPX50/SPX50H sump
pumps are offered in single phase.
Voltages will vary according to
the application and can be seen in
the tables in this manual.
Electrical Controls:
All of these pump models must be
used with a control panel.
Hydromatic built control panels
are designed to supply the correct
electrical controls and motor
starting equipment and include
the circuitry for moisture and heat
sensors. It is recommended that a
Hydromatic built control panel be
used so that all warranties apply.
General Construction:
The SPX50/SPX50H motor
construction is designed to
meet CSA requirements for
Group 1, Div. 1, Class D
wastewater applications. These
models are certified and
nameplated with this approval. A
cross-sectional view of the
internal workings of the pumps
can be seen on pages 12 & 13.
The motor chamber and seal
chamber are filled with a high
dielectric type oil for improved
lubrication and heat transfer of
the bearings and motor. Since the
bearings have been designed for
50,000 hours of life, the oil
should never require replacement
under normal operating
conditions. An air space above
the oil level in both the seal and
motor chambers is provided to
allow for the expansion of the oil
when at operating temperature.
The power and control lines are
sealed and strain relieved on the
outside entrance with a standard
cord grip, and internally through
the use of a dielectric potting
resin surrounding the electrical
wires.
Internal connection wiring
diagrams are shown in page 6.
All of the pump fasteners and
shafts are made from
corrosion-resistant stainless steel,
while the pump castings are made
of ASTM A-48 Class 30 cast iron,
and the multivane vortex
impellers are made from Class 20
cast iron.
General Installation:
Various configurations and
methods of plumbing this series
of sump pumps may be used.
NOTE: If the SPX50 and
SPX50H explosion-proof pumps
are used in conjunction with a
rail lift-out system, it must be
a UL or CSA approved
nonsparking, explosion-proof
system.
IMPORTANT: If the following
guidelines are not followed, the
UL explosion-proof approval is
void.
Explosion-Proof Service:
These pumps are to be used
for handling contaminated septic
tank effluent, sewage, and storm
water only.
The SPX50/SPX50H is
CSA approved (Group 1, Division
1, Class D) to handle a wide
variety of pollutants, including
gas and oil. Do not use in other
hazardous locations. These
motors must be repaired
and serviced only at a Hydromatic
authorized service center or at
the Hydromatic factory. Any
unauthorized field repair voids
warranty and the explosion-proof
rating.
CAUTION: After the pump is
installed and wastewater has
entered the basin, there is
danger. Sewage water gives
off methane and hydrogen
sulfide gases, which are
poisonous. Never enter a wet
well unless the cover is open for
a sufficient period of time to
allow fresh air into the basin. It
is recommended that a man in
the basin have a harness on
with a rope to the surface, so
that he can be pulled out in
case of asphyxiation. It is for
this reason that Hydromatic
recommends using the rail
lift-out system so that no
service is required inside
the basin.

4
Motor:
Each motor is provided with heat
sensor thermostats attached
directly to the motor windings.
The thermostats open if the motor
windings see excessive heat and,
in turn, open the motor contactor
in the control panel, breaking the
power to the pump. When the
motor is stopped due to an
overheat condition, it will not
start until the motor has cooled
and the heat sensor reset button is
manually pushed on the front of
the Hydromatic control panel.
This circuitry is provided in the
Hydromatic control panel
designs.
The SPX50 and SPX50H pumps
are equipped with internal
thermostats. The SPX50 and
SPX50H models are designed to
meet Class B heat rise of
266°F (130°C).
NOTE: Failure to use proper
circuitry and to connect the
motor overheat protection in
the control panel would negate
all warranties and CSA listings.
Motor Seal Failure Warning:
The seal chamber is oil filled and
provided with moisture sensing
probes to detect water leakage
through the lower shaft seal. The
probes can also detect moisture
present in the upper motor
housing.
The presence of water energizes a
red seal leak warning light at the
control panel. This is a warning
light only, and does not stop the
motor. It indicates a leak has
occurred and the pump must be
repaired. Normally, this indicates
the outboard seal has leaked.
Allowing the unit to operate too
long after the warning could
cause upper seal leakage along
with motor failure.
The resistance across the moisture
sensing (seal failure) probes
should be checked after a seal
leak warning light has been
activated. This can be done by
disconnecting the red and orange
control wires from the control
panel and measuring the
resistance with an ohmmeter
between the wires. For an
explosion-proof pump the reading
should be above 30,000 ohms. If
the measured values are below
those indicated above, the pump
may have a lower seal failure and
require service.
On the Hydromatic explosion-
proof control panels the seal leak
test switch tests the seal leak
circuit continuity. When pushed,
the seal leak test bulb should
light. If the test bulb does not
light, it means either the wiring
circuitry to the seal leak probes
has been broken or the bulb has
burned out.
NOTE: Hydromatic built
control panels supply the
correct circuitry for moisture
and heat sensor connections.
Failure to install the correct
circuitry with the proper
connection would negate
warranty and CSA listing.
See page 9.
Motor Power Cord, Control
Cord and Cord Cap Assembly:
Each motor power cord has 4
conductors: white, black, red and
green. For a single phase motor
the black is connected to the
common lead, the white is
connected to the main lead, while
the red is connected to the start
circuitry, and the green is
attached to a good ground. The
rotation of a single phase pump is
set properly at the factory.
NOTE: Rotation should be
clockwise when observed from
the top of the pump. This can
be checked by noting which
direction the pump torques
upon initial starting. A properly
rotating pump will torque
counterclockwise upon start.
The control cable has 5
conductors: black, white, red,
orange and green. White and
black connect to the heat
sensor terminals in the control
panels; red and orange
connect to the seal failure
terminals in the control panel;
and the green connects to the
ground in the control panel.
The cord cap is epoxy
potted. This allows the cord cap,
with cords, to be removed from
the motor. With this arrangement,
the cords can be permanently
installed in a sealed fitting in
the sump. This should be
an approved explosion-proof
junction box for hazardous
locations. The control and power
cables cannot be spliced!

5
NOTE: Each cable has a green
ground wire and must be
properly grounded per the
National Electric Code and
local codes.
Electrical Motor Controls:
All electrical controls and motor
starting equipment should be as
specified in these instructions.
Consult factory for any acceptable
alternatives. For hazardous
locations the controls and control
panel must be installed outside the
hazardous area, or approved
explosion-proof controls that are
intrinsically safe must be used.
Junction Box:
If a junction box is used in a
hazardous location, it must be an
explosion-proof approved type
with explosion-proof cord
connectors. Wires from the
junction box must pass through an
explosion-proof seal connector.
Level Sensing Controls:
Intrinsically safe-type float
controls are recommended for all
applications and required for
explosion-proof service. An
intrinsically safe control panel
relay will limit the current and
voltage to the level controls.
A Hydromatic control panel
can be supplied with this type
circuitry.
The float level controls
maintain the basin sewage water
level by controlling pump turn-on
and turn-off levels.
1. The lower turn-off control
should be set so that the pump
stops with the water covering
the entire motor housing.
Consult the factory for any
settings below this point.
2. The upper turn-on control
should be set above the lower
turn-off control. The exact
height between the two
controls is determined by the
number of pump starts desired
and the depth of the basin.
A maximum of 10 starts per
hour should not be exceeded.
3. The override control is set at a
specified height above the
upper turn-on control.
4. The alarm control is set about
6" to 12" above the
override control.
5. No control should be set above
the inlet invert.
Electrical Connections:
All electrical wiring must be in
accordance with local code and
only qualified electrician should
make the installations. Complete
wiring diagrams are included for
use in making the installation. All
wires should be checked for
shorts to ground with an
ohmmeter or Megger after the
connections are made. This is
important, as one grounded wire
can cause failure of the pump,
control panel or personal injury.
Pump:
The fluid end of the pump is field
serviceable and can be
disassembled in case of wear,
damage, plugging or outboard
seal failure. The following will
describe the disassembly and
reassembly process.
WARNING: Disconnect the
power first.
Disassembly:
1. With the pump located in a
secure place, remove the bolts
fastening the seal housing to
the volute. The motor and
impeller can now be removed
as a unit.
2. Lay the unit down on its side.
If the lower seal is to be
removed, it is recommended
that the oil in the seal chamber
be drained. This can be done
by removing the lower seal
chamber plug and draining the
oil into a holding container.
3. Using a proper wrench, the
impeller retaining nut must be
removed. This may require a
piece of wood placed between
the vanes to keep the impeller
from rotating while removing
the nut. Loctite™ is used
on this bolt and heating to
450°F to 500°F may also be
required to loosen. The
impeller is mounted on a
threaded shaft. To remove
impeller, rotate impeller with
one hand while holding pump
shaft with screwdriver.
4. If the lower seal needs to be
removed, first remove the
compression spring that rides
between the impeller and the
seal assembly. Next take a
pair of screwdrivers and
remove the compression ring
that surrounds the rubber
bellows on the rotating portion
of the seal assembly. Again
using the screwdrivers, pry
the remaining portion of the
rotating seal assembly off the
shaft. The ceramic stationary
assembly can be removed by
placing a screwdriver between
the rubber and the ceramic
face, and then prying, working

6
around the entire diameter.
Note, these parts should be
discarded and a new seal
assembly installed.
5. If the oil in the seal
chamber was drained, examine
the contents to determine if the
upper seal has been damaged.
Signs of grit or other abrasive
material may indicate that the
upper seal has also been
damaged. Pressurizing the
motor housing assembly
between 7 and 10 psi and
observing any drop in
pressure will indicate if
the upper seal is functioning
properly.
NOTE: Upper seal repairs must
be done at a Hydromatic
authorized service center or at
the Hydromatic factory. Any
unauthorized field repair voids
warranty and the explosion-
proof approval on the CSA
listed pumps.
Reassembly:
1. Remove the ceramic
portion of the new seal from
the package. Brush new
dielectric oil around the rubber
portion of the stationary
assembly and into the pocket
in the seal housing. Note,
keep the oil off the seal face.
Without scratching the seal
face, press the ceramic
stationary portion into the seal
housing. A piece of PVC pipe
that fits onto the face of
the seal works well for
installation. With clean cloth,
lightly wipe the face of the
seal surface to make sure it is
dirt free. Remove the rotating
portion of the seal from the
package and lubricate the
inside diameter of the rubber
bellows and the outside
diameter of the shaft. Place
the seal over the shaft. Evenly
press on the body of the
rotational assembly and slide it
down the shaft until the seal
faces meet. PVC pipe with the
inside diameter slightly larger
than the shaft diameter can
work well to press the
rotational assembly into
position. Once the seal
assembly is in position, place
the spring over the register
on the rotational portion
of the seal.
2. Thread the impeller onto the
shaft, making sure that the seal
spring is registered properly
onto the back side of the
impeller. Place the proper
Loctite fluid on the impeller
retaining nut. Tighten nut
on shaft.
3. Fill the seal chamber with new
dielectric oil. An air gap of
10–15% volume must be
left for the expansion of the
oil when it is at operating
temperature.
4. The motor and impeller
assembly can be installed into
the volute, making sure that
the units are aligned properly.
Install the volute retaining
bolts and tighten.
5. Air tends to trap in the pump
case when water rises in the
sump or when the pump is
lowered into the water after
service. To vent off this air, a
small hole is drilled into the
volute casting. Be sure this
vent hole is clean after any
service work on pump. Air
venting is not a problem after
initial start.

7
Pump
Troubleshooting
CONDITION
Red light comes on at control box.
PROBABLE CAUSE
This indicates some water has leaked past the lower seal and has entered the seal
chamber and made contact with the electrode probe. Pump must be
removed for replacement of lower seal. This preventive repair will save an
expensive motor.
CONDITION
Overload trips at control box and alarm buzzer or flashing red light comes on due
to high water level in basin.
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Push in on red reset button to reset overload. If overload trips again after short
run, pump has some damage and must be removed from basin for
checking.
2. Trouble may be from clogged impeller causing motor to overload or could be
from failed motor.
3. Trouble may be from faulty component in control box. Always check
control box before removing pump.
CONDITION
Yellow run light stays on continuously.
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Indicates H-O-A switch may be in the Hand position.
2. Level control switch may have failed, causing pump to continue to operate
when water is below lower control.
3. Impeller may be partially clogged, causing pump to operate at very reduced
capacity.
4. Gate valve or check valve may be clogged, causing low pump flow.
5. Pump may be air logged.
CONDITION
Circuit breaker trips.
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Reset breaker by pushing completely down on handle then back to On
position. If breaker trips again in few seconds, it indicates excessive
load probably caused by a short in the motor or control box. Check out
instructions given with control box before pulling pump.
2. If this condition happens after an electrical storm, motor or control box
may be damaged by lightning.
3. Resistance reading of the motor with lead wires disconnected from the
control box can determine if trouble is in motor or control box.
CONDITION
Pump is noisy and pump rate is low.
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Impeller may be partially clogged with some foreign objects, causing noise
and overload on the motor.
CONDITION
Grease and solids have accumulated around pump and will not pump out
of basin.
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Lower control switch may be set too high.
2. Run pump on Hand operation for several minutes with small amount of
water running into basin to clean out solids and grease. This allows pump
to break suction and surge which will break up the solids. If level switch
is set properly, this condition generally will not occur.
3. Trash and grease may have accumulated around floats, causing pump to
operate erratically.
Checking for Moisture in
Motor:
Use an ohmmeter or a Megger
and set on highest scale.
Readings on the large power cord
between any of the conductors
red, black or white to the green
conductor or to the motor housing
should be greater than 1,000,000
ohms (megohm).
A motor will probably run with a
lower reading, but if the pump is
out of service and the value of the
reading is below 1,000,000 ohms
(1 megohm), the motor housing
and stator should be removed and
baked in a drying oven at 220°F.
This service work should be done
only at an authorized service
station.
NOTE: Readings should be
taken with the line leads
disconnected from the control
panel.
Resistance of Windings:
Every motor winding has a fixed
resistance. The windings must
check close to the values given in
the tables to operate properly.
See the motor electrical data
chart. Use an ohmmeter and set
to the one ohm scale. Read the
resistance with the motor leads
disconnected from the pump
control panel.

8
Pump Wiring
Diagrams

9
Pump Wiring
Schematic
WIRING SCHEMATIC FOR 230V, 1Ø SIMPLEX SYSTEM

10
Performance
Curves