How to Test a Submersible Pump

Check the intake filter screen for clogging. If possible, remove the pump impeller housing cover to verify whether the impeller can rotate freely. The impeller could be jammed or damaged. Depending on what type of material has been pumped in the past, the impeller blades could be broken. This can severely reduce a pump's capacity. Check for a damaged or bent housing.

Check the electrical connections. Verify that all connections are tight and secure. Using the voltage meter, verify that power is available at the receptacle or control switch. If not, verify if the main breaker has been tripped, and reset it.

Use the ohmmeter to check the resistance between the two prongs of the pump's electrical cord. If the resistance is very high or shows an open circuit, then either the electrical cord is bad, the motor contacts inside the housing are bad, or the motor coils are bad.

Replace the pump if the items listed above cannot be replaced or repaired in a timely fashion.