Run Dry Auto Restart - KELCO F60 Programming Instructions Manual

Run Dry Auto Restart

If the pump runs dry and the controller is set to mode 2 or 3 it will identify a dry run
situation as a loss of both pressure and flow. The F60 is not capable of identifying
a dry run condition in mode 1 because in mode 1 it only monitors flow and not the
system's pressure. To identify dry run, the controller must monitor both flow and
pressure, which it only does in modes 2 and 3.
If the F60 is set to operate in mode 2 or 3 it will identify any dry run situation that
may occur and respond by shutting the pump down, thus preventing damage to
the pump. In such a situation the controller displays a "pump ran dry" message
and rapidly flashes all its lights to indicate there is a problem and closes the
contacts of its alarm relay. The alarm relay can be used to control a remote alarm
light, a siren or any other required device such as a telemetry system.
Alternatively, the F60 can be set to automatically attempt to restart and recover
from a dry run situation after a set period of time. This process is called auto
restart. If this option is chosen the controller's menu presents you with a choice,
single restart or repeated restarts. Single restart will attempt to restart the pump
after a set time and if the attempt fails the F60 then shuts down the pump and
goes into permanent alarm mode. It displays a "pump ran dry" message, flashes
all its lights and closes the contacts of its alarm relay. If however, it finds flow and
or pressure when it restarts it resumes normal operation. If you choose repeated
restart from the menu the controller will repeat the shut down and wait sequence
and it will not go into permanent alarm mode. Once you choose repeated restart
or single restart the screens that follow ask you to enter a waiting period in hours
and minutes. The range of adjustment is 1 minute to 99 hours 59 minutes (zero
to just over 4 days) in one minute increments. If the pump runs dry the F60 will
shut it down and wait for the period you have set before attempting to restart.
The ability to restart the pump automatically if it runs dry can be a very useful
function. Consider a self priming jet pump or submersible pump installed in a low
yield bore. The bore can be pumped until dry and the pump under the control of
the F60 can be set to shut down as soon as loss of flow is detected and then wait
until the standing water level in the bore recovers before attempting to restart and
again pump the bore down. Such a system maximises the yield from the bore
and automatically compensates for seasonal fluctuations in the bores capacity.
11