SubDrive/MonoDrive DIP Switches: Do More. Worry Less.
One of the best things about Franklin Electric's SubDrive and MonoDrive products is that they can be used in a variety of applications, such as residential, agricultural, irrigation and commercial. Franklin Electric has increased the flexibility of these products by providing internal DIP switches. This issue of Franklin AID will explain DIP switches and what they mean to you, the professional water systems contractor.
A Dual Inline Package (DIP) switch is an electronics manufacturing term for a series of electrical switches that are an alternative to jumper blocks. These switches have the advantage of being easy to use and have no loose parts. On Franklin Electric’s SubDrive and MonoDrive, the DIP switch package is located on the lower right corner of the main circuit board. The package attaches by means of two rows of pins on the bottom of the package that are inserted through the printed circuit board.
The SubDrive and MonoDrive DIP switch package is labeled SW1, and each individual switch also is labeled. The four switches can be set in one of two positions (ON or OFF) and control different aspects of the system. A small screwdriver comes packaged with each product to aid in switch setting, due to the size of the switches. In most cases, the DIP switch setting will not need to be changed, with the exception of setting the pump size for MonoDrive and MonoDriveXT. Let's take a look at each of the switches in SubDrive and MonoDrive and see how they work.
Switches 1 and 2
Switches 1 and 2 of the package tell the SubDrive or MonoDrive controller which pump is attached to the motor. For example: on a SubDrive75, a ¾ horsepower pump would normally be coupled to a 1.5 horsepower 3-phase motor. In this case, the first two switches are set in the OFF position. (This is the default setting.) However, in some cases, you might want to use a 1 or a 1.5 horsepower pump. This can be done, but you need to tell the SubDrive controller there is a different pump in place. If a 1 horsepower pump were to be used, switch 1 will remain OFF and 2 must be changed to ON. If a 1.5 horsepower pump were to be used, switch 1 must be moved to the ON position and 2 will remain OFF. In the case of other SubDrive models, switches 1 and 2 are used in a very similar way. Refer to the installation manual for the details.
MonoDrive is designed to be used with a ½, ¾, or 1 horsepower single-phase 3-wire motor and pump. However, because of these options, it is critical to tell the MonoDrive controller what is in the well. As in the case of SubDrive, positions 1 and 2 on SW1 are used. The switch positions for each are shown in the following illustrations.
MonoDrive XT works in very much the same way.
Switch 3 - Underload Sensitivity
All SubDrive/MonoDrive products offer built-in underload protection. The most common reason for an underload is an out-of-water condition. The SubDrive/MonoDrive controller is configured at the factory to ensure detection of underload faults in a wide variety of pumping applications. In rare cases, the underload trip level may be too sensitive. The most likely application for this scenario will be a shallow well.
If you are installing SubDrive/MonoDrive in a shallow well, it is a good idea to observe how the system behaves at various flow rates. Move switch 3 on SW1 ot ON if you see nuisance tripping. However, before doing this, make sure that you're truly seeing a nuisance fault, and not an actual out-of-water condition. What we've just discussed applies to all SubDrive and MonoDrive products. That is, the underload sensitivity is located in the same place and functions in the same way.
Switch 4 - Sensitivity
Although in most cases pressure regulation will be completely stable, in certain conditions the controller's pressure-regualting algorithm can be too sensitive. This may result in surging at a hydrant or in an irrigation system located a long distance away from the pressure sensor. Position 4 of the DIP switch can be used to desensitize the pressure regulation, and in many cases, will reduce or eliminate the surging. If you have a hydrant or an irrigation system some distance from the pressure sensor, don't automatically move switch 4 to OFF. Make sure you have a real issue with surging first.
Of course, all of this information is in the installation manual that comes packaged with each product. To recap, positions 1 and 2 are used to tell the controller what pump is in the well, position 3 is used to address nuisance tripping and position 4 may prevent surging at a hydrant. When using SubDrive you will rarely need to change the switch positions. However, with MonoDrive or MonoDriveXT there is a good chance you will, when retrofitting an installation for a pump already downhole. It all adds up to be a product that is simple to install and use, but offers the flexibility you need for a wide variety of applications.
For questions or comments concerning this article, please contact us at 800-348-2420, or email us at hotline@fele.com.
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