The pressure switch for your well pump.

A well pump pressure switch turns the pump on when tank pressure drops to its cut-in point and off at cut-out. Nearly all residential well systems use a switch set to one of three ranges — 20/40, 30/50, or 40/60 psi — and the right one for your house depends on how tall your plumbing run is and what your pump and pipes can handle, not brand preference. Use the picker below for a starting recommendation, then confirm against the nameplate on your existing switch.

Reference only. This page and picker are a purchase pre-check, not a wiring, pressure-rating, or installation approval. Pressure switches carry line voltage and control a system under pressure — shut off power before opening one, and confirm any setting change with a licensed plumber or electrician if you are unsure.

QUICK PICKER

30/50 or 40/60 — which fits your house?

Answer three questions about your house and tank. This gives a starting point based on the elevation-head and plumbing-tolerance rules cited in the sources below — it is not a substitute for a site visit when the answer comes back "consult a professional."

Standard settings, side by side

Cut-in is the low number — pressure at which the switch closes and starts the pump. Cut-out is the high number — pressure at which it opens and stops the pump. The gap between them is the differential, typically fixed near 20 psi on consumer Square D Pumptrol-style switches.

Common residential well pump pressure switch settings
Setting	Cut-in	Cut-out	Tank precharge	Typical use
20/40 psi	20 psi	40 psi	18 psi	Lighter-duty or legacy systems; less common on new installs.
30/50 psi	30 psi	50 psi	28 psi	Single-story homes, older or lower-pressure-rated plumbing.
40/60 psi	40 psi	60 psi	38 psi	Two-story-plus homes or high simultaneous-fixture demand.

Tank precharge follows the manufacturer rule of 2 psi below cut-in, checked with the tank fully drained and the pump powered off — see the Amtrol Well-X-Trol manual in Sources. That rule, and the 30/50-vs-40/60 tradeoffs above, are covered in full on the 30/50 vs 40/60 comparison page.

What a compatible replacement actually needs to match

A pressure switch that "fits" your well pump means three things line up: the pressure range (cut-in/cut-out) matches what your pump and tank were sized for, the port thread matches your tee fitting (almost always 1/4" NPSF/NPT on residential switches), and the voltage/amperage rating covers your pump's electrical load. A Square D Pumptrol 9013FSG-series switch is the de facto standard port and mounting pattern that most other brands' consumer switches are built to match — see the FreshWaterSystems spec listing in Sources for the reference dimensions.

Parts to check against your nameplate

Check your existing switch's stamped range and port size before buying — then shop the matching range through the channels below.

Pressure switch, 30/50 psi

Square D Pumptrol-style, 1/4" NPSF port. Fits most single-story residential setups.

Link coming soon

Pressure switch, 40/60 psi

Same body style, higher range. Confirm your pump and plumbing can hold sustained 60 psi first.

Link coming soon

Pressure tank

Undersized or waterlogged tanks cause cycling no switch setting will fix — size before you buy.

Link coming soon

VERIFY THE SOURCE

Sources for this page

Square D Pumptrol 9013FSG2J24Q8 spec listing 40/60 psi factory range, 1/4" NPSF port, NEMA 1, cycle-life rating Amtrol Well-X-Trol installation & operation manual Official tank precharge = cut-in minus 2 psi rule EngineerFix — 30/50 vs 40/60 switch comparison Elevation head, pump capability, plumbing-age tradeoffs