Well pressure switch and control box repair in Tifton and Tift County
Two small gray boxes run your well. The pressure switch, on the pipe by the tank, turns the pump on and off. The control box on the wall, found on three-wire submersible pumps, gives the motor its kick to start. Either one can leave the house dry, and either one costs far less to replace than a pump: as rough 2026 Georgia prices, $150 to $350 for a switch and $200 to $500 for a control box.
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How does a well pressure switch work?
A diaphragm inside feels the water pressure. When pressure falls to the start point, the contacts close and the pump runs; when it reaches the stop point, they open. The two numbers are written as a pair: 30/50 or 40/60 are the usual ones, and Goulds says its jet pumps all ship set at 30/50.
The tank's air charge is matched to the start point, 2 psi below it, so any time the switch is changed or adjusted, the tank should be checked too.
What are the signs of a failing pressure switch?
| What you notice | What is likely happening |
|---|---|
| No water, breaker on, pump silent | Burned or pitted contacts no longer pass power |
| Pump runs and will not stop | Contacts stuck closed, or the switch is set beyond what the pump can reach |
| Fast chattering clicks | Contacts bouncing; they burn a little more each time |
| Pump starts too often | Can be the switch, but a waterlogged tank causes the same thing |
Never pry the cover off or tap the switch with the breaker on. Its terminals carry 240 volts.
What is the lever on the side of my pressure switch?
It is a low-pressure cutoff. Square D says its switches with this option turn the pump off if pressure falls more than 10 psi below the start point, below 20 psi on a 30/50 switch, and the system then has to be reset by hand.
It is there to keep a pump from running dry. If it trips once after a power outage, a reset is fine. If it keeps tripping, especially late in a dry summer when water levels in the limestone are down, something is wrong and the pump needs a pro before it burns up.
What does the control box on the wall do?
Franklin Electric says single-phase three-wire submersible motors need a control box, which holds the starting capacitor and relay, and in some sizes overload protection. Two-wire pumps keep those parts down in the motor and have no box.
A bad capacitor or relay looks exactly like a dead pump from the house. Testing the box is quick, and a replacement box has to match the pump's horsepower and voltage.
Do south Georgia heat and storms damage control boxes?
Heat can. Franklin's manual warns that direct sun or another heat source can raise a control box's temperature enough to trip its protectors, and says never to mount one in direct sunlight. A box on the sunny side of a pump house in a Tifton July is a candidate for shade or venting.
Storms do. The National Weather Service says Georgia averages 45 to 55 days with thunderstorms a year. Franklin Electric says all pump motors are susceptible to damage from lightning-induced surges, and that the cheapest time to add lightning protection is when the pump goes in. Ask about a surge arrestor whenever the switch, box or pump is replaced.
How much does a switch or control box repair cost?
As a rough 2026 guide for Georgia, a new pressure switch runs about $150 to $350 and a control box about $200 to $500, parts and labor (SepticAndWell.com).
| Repair | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Pressure switch replacement | $150 to $350 |
| Control box replacement | $200 to $500 |
| Electrical repair (wiring, breaker) | $150 to $400 |
Compared with about $800 to $1,800 to replace a submersible pump, these are the parts worth ruling out first.
Common questions
Can I replace the pressure switch myself?
People do, but it is 240-volt work, and the new switch has to be set to match the tank. If you are not sure which breaker feeds the pump, call a pro.
Should burned contacts be cleaned or the switch replaced?
Light pitting can sometimes be cleaned, but burned or welded contacts mean a new switch. It costs little next to the pump a stuck switch can ruin.
Why did the switch fail right after a storm?
A surge can weld or burn contacts and take out the parts in the control box. If the pump will not start after a storm, have both checked before anyone pulls the pump.
Sources: Square D (Schneider Electric), Pumptrol pressure switches brochure (source); Schneider Electric FAQ, Low-pressure cutoff on Pumptrol switches (source); Goulds Water Technology, Jet pump installation manual (switch settings) (source); Pentair, Pro-Source Plus steel pressure tanks manual (pre-charge) (source); Franklin Electric, Submersible motor application, installation and maintenance manual (source); Franklin Electric, Lightning arrestor manual (source); National Weather Service, Thunderstorms in Georgia (source); SepticAndWell.com, Georgia well pump repair cost (updated April 10, 2026) (source).
Last reviewed November 11, 2026.
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