Submers-a-bulb controller
Bulletin 263D
SBS CONTROLLER
The Federal SBS Controller is primarily designed for the control of
submersible sewage and sump pumps. However, it can also be used for level
control of other types of pumps as well.
SBS Controllers are available for use with single and duplex pump units.
The SBS Controller includes a wall-mounting Control Panel plus a Pilot
Device.
SBS CONTROL PANEL
The SBS Control Panel is furnished in a NEMA-1 general purpose enclosure or a
NEMA-4 watertight enclosure. Other enclosure types are available when required
by special job conditions.
The panel includes pump-on and pump-off, relays, automatic alternator (to
alternate the operating pump on each cycle and to provide simultaneous two-pump
operation if required by the in-flow rate), a pump-run light for each pump, a
high water alarm light and an alarm bell with silencing button. The basic SBS
circuitry is solid state and epoxy encapsulated. The printed circuit board is of
plug-in modular design for easy replacement.
SBS PILOT DEVICE
The SBS Pilot Device includes the required number of mercury tube bulbs with a
mounting bracket and junction box. The Pilot Device is available in three styles
as illustrated on the back of this Bulletin.
PILOT DEVICE
The SBS Pilot Device consists of mercury tube switches, permanently sealed
in solid polyurethane floats. They are mounted in the pit in any one of three
styles as follows:
PILOT DEVICE STYLE 1: The bulbs are mounted on a round suspension plate which
sets on the pit cover. A NEMA-4 junction box is furnished for separate mounting.
PILOT DEVICE STYLE 2: The bulbs are mounted on a bracket for side wall
mounting. A NEMA-4 junction box is furnished for separate mounting.
PILOT DEVICE STYLE 3: The bulbs are mounted on a round suspension plate which
sets on the pit cover, and a NEMA-1 junction box is pedestal mounted on the same
suspension plate. (This style is generally used to control non-submersible
pumps.)
INSTALLATION
1. Type SBS Submers-a-bulbs consist of a mercury tube switch embedded in a
polyurethane float. For duplex pump units, the four bulbs function as follows:
Bulb A - Both pumps off.
Bulb B - Pump No. 1 on.
Bulb C - Pump No. 2 on.
Bulb D - High Water Alarm.
2. When installing the bulbs, allow 2" of cable between the weight and
the steadying bracket.
3. The bottom bulb (Bulb A - Both pumps off) should be at a level equal to
the top of the motors, when used with Submersible Pumps.
4. Set Bulb D (High Water Alarm) approximately 6" below pit inlet level.
5. Switch 3-phase power leads, if necessary, to insure correct pump rotation
at start-up.
6. If the Submers-a-bulb panel is out of sight of the pit, it is recommended
that NEMA-4 unfused disconnect switch be installed at the pit, for each motor.
7. For STYLE 2 installations, where the NEMA-4 junction box is below the pit
cover, install the junction box as high as possible above flood level, since
NEMA-4 enclosures are rated "watertight" but are not designed for
submerged service. All connections to the box should be watertight.
SBS DUPLEX CONTROLLER SUGGESTED SPECIFICATION
Pumps shall be controlled by a Federal Type SBS Submers-abulb Controller, which
shall include a wall-mounting duplex control panel in a NEMA-1 general purpose
enclosure. The control panel shall include a magnetic starter and a fusible
disconnect switch for each motor, pump-on and pump-off relays, an automatic
alternator to alternate the pumps on each cycle and provide simultaneous
operation if required, pump-run lights, high water alarm light and an alarm bell
with silencing button. The SBS Controller shall also include four mercury bulbs
on a wall-mounting (or pit cover-mounting) bracket and a NEMA-4 junction box.
THE SBS CONTROLLER includes a control panel for wall mounting (the panel
includes a fusible disconnect switch for each motor, a magnetic starter for each
motor, a "hand-off-automatic" selector switch for each motor plus the
SBS control circuitry ,(a) all in one enclosure) plus an SBS pilot device
(b) with the required number of SBS bulbs (c) .
(a) SBS CONTROL CIRCUITRY includes:
- Pump-on and pump-off relays.
- Automatic alternator for duplex units which also provide 2-pump simultaneous
operation when needed.
- Pump-run light for each pump.
- High water alarm light.
- Alarm bell and silencing button.
(b) SBS PILOT DEVICE is available in three styles as follows:
STYLE 1 - Mounting plate for suspending the bulbs from the pit cover plus a
NEMA-4 junction box for wall mounting above the pit cover.
STYLE 2 - Mounting plate with an angle clip for pit-wall mounting of the
bulbs plus a NEMA-4 junction box for wall mounting below the pit cover.
STYLE 3 - Mounting plate for suspending the bulbs from the pit cover plus a
NEMA-1 junction box integrally mounted on a pedestal, all for on-cover mounting.
(c) *SBS CONTROL BULBS are included in the SBS Pilot Device as
follows:
SIMPLEX UNIT - includes three bulbs (pump-off / pump-on / high water alarm).
DUPLEX UNIT - includes four bulbs (pumps-off / pump #1-on / pump #2-on /
high water alarm).
*Each bulb has a normally-open mercury switch, 25-ft. cord and is rated for
140°F maximum ambient temperature.
SBS CONTROLLER LIST PRICES
List price includes a single-enclosure control panel (NEMA-1) plus a pilot
device (specify style) plus a junction box.
NEMA-4 & NEMA-12 PANEL ENCLOSURES:
To change the SBS panel enclosure from NEMA-1 (General Purpose) to NEMA-4 (Watertite)
or NEMA-12 (Industrial Use), make the following list price additions to the
basic list prices shown above:
NEMA-4 --- $1494
NEMA-12 --- $1068
SINGLE PHASE SBS CONTROLLERS:
Use the list price of the 208/230V three phase controller rated for the
equivalent H.P.
THERMAL SENSOR AND MOISTURE DETECTION CIRCUITRY:
If motors are furnished with thermal sensors, add the following per motor
for the cut-out circuitry --- $84
If motors are furnished with electrodes to detect the presence of water in the
seal chamber, add the following per motor for the outer seal failure circuitry
plus alarm light and test button --- $798
OTHER MODIFICATIONS AND ACCESSORIES:
One disconnect switch in the control panel for the both motors in lieu of
one disconnect switch for each motor, deduct --- $465
Dry contact for remote alarm (alarm indicator by others)
--- $225
Extra NEMA-4 junction box --- $453
Style 1 or 2 pilot device with bulbs (junction box not included)
Simplex pilot device with
three bulbs --- $1470
Duplex pilot device with
four bulbs --- $1680
Deletion of high water alarm circuit and bulb, deduct
--- $471
Replacement capacitor --- $150
Replacement plug-in relay --- $270
Replacement plug-in curcuit board:
Simplex
--- $870
Duplex
--- $1134
Non-standard cable length (longer than 25-ft.), add per foot of extra length:
Simplex
--- $15
Duplex
--- $21
Non-standard control panel enclosures (other than NEMA-1, NEMA-4 and NEMA-12)
refer to ABC Electric Corp.
