SJE Rhombus Controls & Alarms

How to Pick the Right SJE Float Switch

Two questions narrow the field fast:

Is the float controlling the pump directly, or is it sending a signal to a control panel or alarm? Pump switches handle the full motor load. Control switches send a low-current on/off signal to a panel.
How much liquid level change should activate the float? Wide-angle floats tip 4 inches above and below the horizontal. They're for pump on/off, where a wide pumping range is fine. Narrow-angle floats tip just 1.5 inches. They're for precise stop, lead, lag, and alarm levels in tight basins or duplex installs.

Pump Switch vs. Control Switch

Type	What it does
Pump switch	Carries full pump motor load. Wired in line with the pump or used as a piggyback plug.
Control switch	Low-current signal to a control panel or alarm. Does not carry pump load.

Wide-Angle vs. Narrow-Angle

Angle	Activation movement
Wide angle (~4")	Float tips ~4 inches above and below the horizontal
Narrow angle (~1.5")	Float tips ~1.5 inches above or below the horizontal

Shop SJE Float Switches by Category

Wide-Angle Pump Switches

Direct pump control with mechanical, non-mercury switching. Carries full motor load and tips on a wide arc, good fit for single-pump sumps, septic tanks, and dewatering.

SJE PumpMaster Plus — wide-angle piggyback for 120V/240V pumps up to 2 HP, non-mercury, UL/CSA certified
SJE PumpMaster SPDT — 13 amp wide-angle three-wire setup, 7"–36" adjustable range, NSF-61 rated
SJE AmpMaster — 20 amp wide-angle for 120V/240V pumps up to 3 HP, mounting clamp included

Narrow-Angle Control Switches

Low-current signals into a pump control panel or alarm. Tip on a tight 1.5″ arc for precise stop, lead, lag, and alarm levels in lift stations and duplex installs.

SJE SignalMaster — narrow-angle, mechanically activated, normally open or normally closed, paired with NEX Series panels
SJE MegaMaster — narrow-angle SPDT, internally weighted, no external weight required

Piggyback Float Switches

Plug-and-play. Float plugs into the outlet, pump plugs into the float, no control panel needed. Best for residential sump and effluent installs where simple direct control is enough.

SJE Double FloatMaster — dual piggyback for accurate on/off control in confined or turbulent pits, adjustable 3"–48" range
SJE VerticalMaster 3 Plus — vertical operation for narrow sump pits with limited clearance, 0.75"–6.5" adjustable range

Float Switch Accessories

What finishes the install — cable weights for hanging floats, brackets for organizing multi-float installs, anchors for tight pits, and cord seals for sealed junction boxes.

SJE Adjustable Float Switch Cable Weight — sets the pivot point for hanging floats, lead-free, tool-free adjustment
SJE Stainless Steel Four-Float Bracket — corrosion-resistant mounting for stop/lead/lag/alarm float arrangements
SJE Mushroom Float Switch Anchor (10 lb) — lead-free yellow anchor for tight pump pits where pipe-mount isn't practical

Match the Float Switch to the Application

Residential sump pit

A wide-angle piggyback float like the SJE PumpMaster Plus is the standard fit for a typical sump basin, plug-and-play, no panel needed. If the pit is narrow with limited vertical clearance, the SJE VerticalMaster 3 Plus operates vertically in spaces where a tipping float can't.

Septic effluent or sewage tank

A wide-angle pump switch handles the load directly. The SJE PumpMaster SPDT (13 amp, 7"–36" range) covers most residential effluent pumps; the SJE AmpMaster (20 amp, up to 3 HP) handles the heavier-duty side. Both are non-mercury with polypropylene float housings rated for sewage.

Lift station with a duplex panel

Three or four narrow-angle control switches are wired to the panel as stop, lead, lag, and alarm. The SJE SignalMaster is the standard pairing for SJE NEX Series panels, and the SJE MegaMaster is the internally weighted alternative for installs without pipe-mount access.

Cistern or potable water

Use NSF/ANSI 61 certified switches, the SJE PumpMaster WPS for direct pump control up to 1 HP, or the SJE MilliAmpMaster WPS for low-current AC/DC control to a panel.

High-temperature sump (laundry, condensate, hot effluent)

The SJE HiTempMaster is the only float in the SJE line rated up to 200°F. Standard floats top out at 140°F.

Confined or turbulent pit

Two floats give more stable on/off control than one in turbulent water. The SJE Double FloatMaster is a piggyback dual-float assembly with an adjustable 3"–48" pumping range. Pump cycling drops noticeably compared with a single-float setup.

Low-current PLC, IS panel, or solar control

The SJE MilliAmpMaster is the right call here. Gold cross-point contacts handle the low-current switching that wears out standard contacts.

What's Standard Across the SJE Float Switch Line

Mechanically activated, non-mercury switching (legacy mercury floats are not stocked here)
High-impact polypropylene or PVC float housings rated for sewage and water up to 140°F (200°F for HiTempMaster)
UL Listed and CSA Certified NSF/ANSI 61 on potable-water-rated models
5-Year Limited Warranty from SJE Rhombus
Standard cable lengths are typically 10 ft, 15 ft, 20 ft, or 30 ft, depending on the model

Buy SJE Rhombus Float Switches Online from Cleanflow

Cleanflow stocks the full SJE Rhombus float switch range, pump switches and control switches, wide-angle and narrow-angle, piggyback and pipe-clamp, plus the cable weights, brackets, anchors, and cord seals to finish the install.

Add to cart, or contact the team to confirm switch type, cable length, and configuration for your application. We ship across Canada and the USA.

What's the difference between a pump switch and a control switch?

A pump switch carries the full pump motor load and turns the pump on or off directly. A control switch carries a low-current signal to a separate pump control panel or alarm. It tells the panel what to do, but doesn't drive the pump itself. Wide-angle floats are usually pump switches; narrow-angle floats are usually control switches.

Should I get a wide-angle or narrow-angle float?

Wide-angle (about 4 inches above and below horizontal) is the right call for a single-float pump on/off, where a wider pumping range is fine. Narrow-angle (about 1.5 inches) is for precise level control in multi-float panel installs, duplex lift stations with stop, lead, lag, and alarm floats, or tight basins where overshoot would cause nuisance cycling.

What does "piggyback" mean on a float switch?

A piggyback plug is a two-stage plug. The float switch plugs into the wall outlet, then the pump plugs into the back of the float switch's plug. The float controls power to the pump automatically, no control panel needed. Common on residential sump and effluent installs.

Are SJE float switches non-mercury?

Yes. Every SJE float switch Cleanflow stock is mechanically activated. Mercury tilt-switch floats are no longer in the SJE product line. Modern jurisdictions restrict mercury, and mechanically activated switches are more durable in service anyway.

Which SJE float switches are NSF-61 certified for potable water?

The PumpMaster WPS (wide-angle pump switch) and the MilliAmpMaster WPS (narrow-angle control switch) are both NSF/ANSI 61 certified for use in drinking water systems. Standard SJE floats are rated for sewage and non-potable water only.

What cable length should I order?

Match cable length to the run between the float position in the basin and the pump control panel, junction box, or outlet. A few feet of slack helps. Most SJE floats ship in 10, 15, 20, or 30 ft. If the run exceeds available cable lengths, splice in a sealed UL Type 4X junction box. Never run an unprotected splice.

What accessories do I need with my float switch?

If the float is pipe-mounted, the stainless steel hose clamp ships with the switch. If you're hanging the float from above, you need a cable weight to set the pivot point. The SJE Adjustable Float Switch Cable Weight covers that. For multi-float installs, the Four-Float Bracket organizes stop, lead, lag, and alarm floats. For confined pits where pipe-mount isn't possible, the Mushroom Anchor anchors a stainless chain at the bottom.

What is the warranty on SJE float switches?

SJE Rhombus backs its float switches with a 5-Year Limited Warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Installation must follow the manufacturer's instructions and applicable electrical codes. A qualified electrician should handle the wiring.

SJE Rhombus Float Switches and Accessories