Electrical design and installation of solar pumps

2. INSTALLATION COMMISSIONING 
All too often, the reception of the pumping system is limited to a visual check of the water supply in the tank, and a small 
training to show the ON / OFF button to user committees. These checks do not ensure the proper operation of the system, 
so that that the desired quantity of water is actually supplied.
In addition, these «hasty» verifications lead to significant periods of dysfunctionality of the pumping sites, because in case 
of problems, communities that have not been trained are unable to identify the problem and to describe it, to quickly order 
spare parts, and thus to trigger the repair.
Below are the tests that must be performed to properly receive the installation, and the essential points of a solar pumping 
training.
Once the installation is completed, we have one more pitfall to avoid: check that the expected results are actually achieved. 
For this, 4 controls must be carried out:
1. Perfom a visual check to verify that all requested equipments are actually installed, 
and that they are functional. We 
will visually check that:
•
The grounding network is visible, and power cables are clean, with no strips or damages,
•
The protection cabinet is installed, and in a general way, equipments are well attached,
•
Tilt of panels is correct, as well as orientation of solar panels,
•
No leakage (weldings, elbows, valves, filters, … ) is observed near electrical items. By the way report leakages if 
any.
•
No water hammer noise (like « clac ») is made by water pipes when starting / stopping the pump. If any, the water 
hammer will, with time, damage weldings, seals, gluings …
Test the ON / OFF button to verify the good functionality of the pumping system. 
2. If the low level probe in the well is present (and not integrated with the pump),
the low-level sensor must be 
disconnected at the controller level to stop the pump. By unplugging the probe, you simulate the lack of water 
in the borehole, the controller must interpret this as the fact that the pump runs without water and must stop it 
immediately.