Best Sewage Pump Float Switches in 2022

Sewage is an unpleasant business but making sure it’s properly taken care of is key for a healthy home. Gravity makes it easy for most people but some have to rely on a pump to do it. And you know what the pump relies on? The float switch.

The best sewage pump float switch must have the perfect mix of performance, price, and reliability. All of the switches here have that but only you can decide what’s right for you. If you’re not sure how, read our guide below!

SludgeBoss Hydromatic DPS81 LevelGuard Z24803PTZ

Best overall choice

Best for narrow spaces

Best for reliability

Up to 12A current

Up to 15A

Up to 12A

15′ to 99′ cable

10′ cable

9′ to 30′ cable

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The Best Sewage Pump Float Switches

The best sewage pump float switch for overall value

SludgeBoss is Sump Alarm’s well received entry into sewage float switches. Like most of the products they offer, this one hits the spot perfectly in terms of performance, reliability, and pricing. 

The SludgeBoss is a heavy duty tethered float switch for pumps that draw as much as 12A of current. It’s offered in 15′ to 99′ cable options, each backed by a generous 5 year warranty. All of it combined makes it the best sewage float switch you can find. 

A great alternative from a great brand

Little Giant is one of the best known brands in the pumping industry and the accessories they offer are as trustworthy as their name. The RFSN-9 is a perfect companion for pumps installed in less than ideal places. It’s made with high quality construction for reliable operation in places such as sewage pits and septic tanks. 

The switch can support pumps up to 13A which is great if you have a ⅓ or ½ HP pump. Cord length is 15′ which is ample for most applications. A longer warranty than 1 year would have been better though. Despite that, it’s a great switch from a great brand and you’re unlikely to regret getting it. 

The best for narrow spaces

Hydromatic’s DPS81 is a diaphragm switch specially designed for sewage applications with limited space. The compact design eliminates any risk of entanglement present when using wide angled tethered switches. Despite needing less space, the unit still offers up to 8.5” of on-and-off range.

The switch can support up to 15A of current which is great but the cord is only 10’ long. That should be okay in most cases but a couple of extra feet would’ve been nice. The Hydromatic DPS81 is backed by 3 years of warranty.

The most reliable switch

If you’re tired of replacing your failed switch every couple of years, why not get one without moving parts that could fail? LevelGuard offers a solid state switch they claim can outlast mechanical ones by up to 7 times — and I don’t doubt it! Just in case it does fail, it’s backed with redundant sensors and 5 long years of warranty.

This ultra-reliable switch can support up to 12A and is offered in 9′, 15′, and 30′ cable variants. It’s quite expensive but when you think about not having to do replacements as often, it’s totally worth it.

Now this one isn’t exactly like other switches above, the Zoeller 10-0623 is an alarm system for when the water has reached an abnormally high level. You can install it above the switch as a backup so you’re notified in case of any failure and avoid messy overflows before it happens.

Even the best sewage pumps fail and you’ll probably never know when until you smell it. The best thing you can do is to be prepared. The A-Pak is a great way to do that with its loud 85 dB horn.

Buyer's Guide

1. Performance

You need a switch that works well for what you need. In septic systems, the wide angle tethered switch works well thanks to the ample space of the tank. In a small pit, however, you may have to find a more compact alternative such as a diaphragm or a solid state switch.

Types with more moving parts are also prone to failure. The vertical type, which is commonly used in sump pumps, would frequently stick in a sewage setting thanks to its mechanism. Tethered types may also get caught when installed on a narrow space. An electronic switch has virtually no moving parts but the price is on the high side too.

Another thing to know is the range or the distance between the on-and-off state of the switch. Shorter range means more frequent cycles which may lead to faster wear on the pump. Tethered switches can be adjusted to vary the range but increasing it too much also has the risk of having it entangled.

2. Capacity

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a switch is knowing if it’s capable of handling the current draw of the pump. Some switches have low current ratings and can only support up to ⅓ HP pumps or less. Confirm the horsepower and current rating of your pump and make sure to find a suitable switch.

Build Quality

Getting a switch with high quality construction not only means avoiding messy sewage overflows but minimizing replacements too. Both of which I’m sure you’d rather do without. A high quality switch is worth its weight in gold and even a good pump won’t make a difference when the switch itself fails.

4. Ease of installation

When choosing a switch, it’s best to know if it will be ready to install in your system. You want to know things like how long the cable is, whether it comes with a plug, and if it comes with any mounting kit. All of which can dramatically speed up your installation process.