OmniSite Tech Tips
September 2026
Quicker Excessive Runtime Alarms
If you want an alarm to notify you when pumps get stuck, rather than waiting for the end-of-day pump report, here are two options:
Option 1:
If your unit has extra digital alarm inputs, you can parallel one to the pump's run time and cycle count input. Set the alarm delay longer than the pump's usual cycle time. For instance, if the pump runs for 5 minutes per cycle, set the delay to 10 minutes. If it runs longer than 10 minutes, you'll get an immediate alarm.
Option 2:
If you have Elite reporting, set the TSR (Time Scheduled Report) to pump calculations. The unit will report every 15 minutes, notifying you when the day's total runtime exceeds the value set in GuardDog. This way, you'll get an alarm sooner than midnight. Note that you can only have one TSR at a time, so you can't have both analog and pump calculations reports every 15 minutes. Also, consider the pump's normal daily runtime. For example, if it usually runs 60 minutes daily and you set the limit to 120 minutes, you'll get an excessive runtime alarm when it reaches 120 minutes. The total runtime updates every 15 minutes and triggers a notification once it exceeds the setpoint.
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Give them a warm welcome!
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TECH TIP: When two pumps are no longer twins
- At a duplex lift station, alternating pumps should generally accumulate similar runtimes and numbers of starts. They will rarely match perfectly, but a growing difference between the two pumps can be an early warning that something has changed.
If one pump suddenly runs longer or starts more frequently than the other, check for:
- A worn or partially clogged impeller
- Reduced pump capacity
- A leaking or restricted check valve
- Improper lead-and-lag alternation
- A level-control or float issue
- Changes in wet-well inflow
- A pump that takes longer to draw the wet well down
Compare both pumps over the same period, preferably seven days or longer, and account for rainfall, maintenance and unusual flow conditions. One unusual day may not mean much, but a consistent difference deserves attention.
It is also helpful to establish a normal baseline for each station. Record typical runtimes, starts and drawdown times when the equipment is operating properly. This gives your team something meaningful to compare against when performance begins to change.
The takeaway: Your pumps do not need to fail before they tell you something is wrong. A gradual change in runtime or cycling may help you identify a developing problem early, before it turns into an emergency callout.
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