Electronic Switches on Sump Pumps

It appears that both the float type and the diaphragm switches on sump pumps are susceptible to failure. I read somewhere that electronic switches are more reliable. Does anyone have first hand experience with these? What is your take on this matter? Also, are there specific brands that stand out?
Thanks for your help.

I'll wait a while before I trust the electronic ones... I'll stick with a good quality float switch for now.

I don't know about sump pump switches specifically, but in the security business they used to use magnet activated contact switches. The contacts on these were exposed to air/dust and would get dirty with time and stop working.

They now use sealed in a glass tube contacts and this has a gas in it to protect the contacts. These last forever. I don't know if they make these rated for house voltage or not? They are called sealed magnetic reed switches.

In the past electronic switches (like hall effect) were prone to damage by voltage surges whereas mechnical contact switches were not damaged by surges. The electronic switches may hold up better now. Might want to install voltage surge protection anyway if using one of these.

switches

Electronic switches using probes can fail if the probes develop a coating of "sewage" which insulates them.

hj said:

Electronic switches using probes can fail if the probes develop a coating of "sewage" which insulates them.

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Exactly... Even sump pump applications are not all that clean... I'd wait a while before trusting them and see how it plays out... Sometimes its good to let someone else be the sucker for new technology... Let them be the ones with a flooded basement instead of you! If its still available next time around it might just be okay... If its not you know something failed to prove itself.

I have an electronic switch made by Rigid, No problems yet, I can tell you this, it will never get hung up like a float can.

Chris75 said:

I have an electronic switch made by Rigid, No problems yet, I can tell you this, it will never get hung up like a float can.

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Allrighty then you are our guinea pig... Keep us posted!