Pressure Controller Guide: How to Pick the Right One for Your Pump in Australia

If your pump keeps cycling on and off, runs dry, or your taps splutter between strong and weak flow, the fix is almost always a pressure controller. A pressure controller is a small electronic unit that sits on the outlet of your water pump. It watches pressure and flow, starts the pump when you open a tap, and stops it when you close the tap. It also shuts the pump down if the water supply runs out, which protects the motor from burning out. At Pumptastic, we ship pressure controllers from Davey, Grundfos and Onga across Australia, with fast dispatch from Western Australia and free shipping on orders over $100. If you are not sure which model fits your pump, call our team on (08) 6384 5884 and we will match one for you before you spend a cent.

What Is a Pressure Controller and How Does It Work

A pressure controller combines three jobs in one compact unit. First, it acts as an automatic switch. When you open a tap, pressure in the pipe drops, the controller senses it and turns the pump on within a second. Second, it acts as a flow sensor. While water keeps moving, the controller keeps the pump running, so you get steady pressure in the shower instead of the surging you get from an old style pressure switch. Third, it provides dry run protection. If your rainwater tank or bore runs low and no water reaches the pump, the pressure controller cuts power to the motor. Without that protection, a pump running dry can destroy its mechanical seal in minutes.

Most units in our range, such as the Onga PC2200 Presscontrol style controllers and the Davey Torrium2, have a fixed cut-in pressure around 150 to 220 kPa and restart automatically once flow returns. Installation is simple. The controller screws onto the pump outlet with a one inch BSP thread, the pump plugs into the controller, and the controller plugs into the wall. For pumps up to about 2HP on single phase power, no electrician is required. Browse our full range of pressure controllers and pressure control components to see current prices and stock.

Pressure Controller vs Pressure Switch vs Pressure Tank

Buyers often mix these three up, so here is the plain difference. A pressure switch is a mechanical device with contacts that open and close at set pressures. It is cheap, but it needs a pressure tank to work properly and it causes rapid cycling on small draws like a toilet cistern refilling. A pressure tank stores a volume of water under air pressure. It smooths out small demands and reduces pump starts, which extends pump life. A pressure controller replaces the switch and, in many home setups, the tank as well, because it runs the pump continuously while water flows.

Which should you buy? For a standard house on a rainwater tank or mains boost, a pressure controller alone does the job neatly and takes up almost no space. For a bore pump, a farm with long pipe runs, or a home with frequent small water draws, the best setup pairs a pressure controller with a small pressure tank of 18 to 60 litres, like the Grundfos GT-H range we stock from $99. The tank absorbs the small draws, the controller handles everything else, and your pump starts far less often. That combination is what pump technicians across WA fit as standard, and it is the setup we recommend most on the phone.

Matching a Pressure Controller to Davey, Grundfos and Onga Pumps

A pressure controller is not one size fits all. Three things must match your pump. The first is motor current. Most electronic controllers are rated to 10 or 12 amps, which covers pumps up to about 2HP or 1.5kW. The second is cut-in pressure versus pump head. Your pump must produce more pressure than the controller's cut-in setting, or the unit will never switch off. A pump delivering at least 25 to 30 metres of head suits nearly every standard pressure controller. The third is connection size, which is almost always 1 inch BSP male on both ports.

Brand matching is straightforward. Davey pressure pumps pair with the Torrium2, which adds adaptive restart and prime assist for tank installations. You will find it fitted on the Davey pressure systems we sell, such as the HS50-06T and HS60-08T. Grundfos pumps commonly pair with the PM1 and PM2 style units, and the Grundfos pressure pump range includes packaged options with the controller already mounted. Onga pumps suit the PC2200 Presscontrol, which is tested and certified to AS/NZS standards for Australian conditions. If your pump is a different brand, a universal pressure controller from our pump controllers collection will still fit, provided the amps, head and thread match. Not sure? Send us your pump's model number and we will confirm compatibility the same day.

Pressure Controllers for WA Homes, Farms and Bore Pumps

Western Australia is hard on pumps. Perth's sandy soils mean thousands of homes run garden bores, the Wheatbelt relies on tank and bore water for stock, and long hot summers push pumps for hours a day. A quality pressure controller matters more here than almost anywhere else in Australia. Dry run protection is the big one. When a Perth garden bore draws down in February, or a rainwater tank in Geraldton empties, the controller shuts the pump off before the motor cooks. Automatic reset models restart on their own once water returns, which suits unattended farm installations from Bunbury to Broome.

For bore pump setups, pair the pressure controller with a submersible bore pump rated for your bore depth, and consider a pressure transducer if you are running a variable speed system. For households on scheme water with weak mains pressure, a small booster pump with an integrated controller lifts shower pressure without any tank at all. Pumptastic dispatches Australia wide via Australia Post, and because we are WA based, metro Perth and regional WA orders typically land faster than from east coast suppliers who quote 3 to 7 days. Orders over $100 ship free, and our phone line (08) 6384 5884 is answered by pump people, not a call centre.

Common Pressure Controller Problems and Quick Fixes

The most common fault we hear about is a pump that will not stop running. Nine times out of ten the cause is a small leak downstream, often a dripping tap, a running toilet or a weeping irrigation fitting, which keeps flow moving so the controller never sees the stop condition. Fix the leak and the controller behaves. The second most common fault is a red alarm light. That is the dry run protection doing its job, and it means the pump lost prime or the water source ran out. Check your tank level, re-prime the pump, then press reset. Third is rapid cycling, which usually means the pump cannot reach shut-off pressure because it is undersized or worn, or the controller's cut-in is set higher than the pump can deliver.

If the unit itself has failed, replacement is a ten minute job and far cheaper than a new pump. Before you order, check the amp rating, the thread size and the cut-in pressure against your pump. Every pressure controller we sell carries a manufacturer's warranty, and returns are accepted within 14 days on unused items. Order online at Pumptastic, or call us and we will have the right pressure controller on its way to you today. Your shower will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a pressure controller actually do?

It automatically starts your pump when a tap opens, keeps it running while water flows, stops it when the tap closes, and cuts power if the pump runs dry. It replaces manual switching and protects the motor.

Do I need a pressure tank if I have a pressure controller?

Not for most homes. A pressure controller runs the pump continuously during use, so no stored volume is needed. Adding a small 18 to 60 litre pressure tank reduces pump starts on small draws and extends pump life, so we recommend it for bores and busy households.

Will a pressure controller work with any pump?

It works with most single phase pumps up to about 2HP, provided the pump produces more head than the controller's cut-in pressure and the connections are 1 inch BSP. Always check the amp rating before buying.

Why does my pump keep running with a pressure controller fitted?

Almost always a downstream leak. A dripping tap or leaking toilet valve keeps flow moving, so the controller never shuts off. Fix the leak first before replacing anything.

What is dry run protection and do I need it?

It shuts the pump off when no water is available, preventing seal and motor damage. If you draw from a rainwater tank or bore anywhere in Australia, and especially in WA summers, you need it.

Can I install a pressure controller myself?

Yes, on plug-in pumps up to 2HP. The controller screws onto the pump outlet and plugs into a standard power point, so no electrician is required. Hard wired or three phase pumps need a licensed electrician.

What is the difference between a pressure controller and a pressure switch?

A pressure switch is mechanical, needs a pressure tank, and cycles the pump on and off during use. A pressure controller is electronic, senses both pressure and flow, runs the pump smoothly while water is flowing, and includes dry run protection.

Which pressure controller suits a Davey pump?

The Davey Torrium2 is the matched option, with adaptive restart and prime assist. Many Davey pressure systems we sell, such as the HS50-06T, come with the Torrium2 already fitted.

How much does a pressure controller cost in Australia?

Quality units typically range from around $100 to $350 depending on brand and features. A complete pump and controller pressure system starts near $1,000. That is far cheaper than replacing a pump that ran dry.

How fast can Pumptastic deliver a pressure controller to WA or regional Australia?

Orders are dispatched fast from Western Australia, with free shipping over $100 Australia wide via Australia Post. Perth metro orders usually arrive quickest, and regional WA, NT and east coast orders follow standard Australia Post transit times. Call (08) 6384 5884 for urgent orders.