TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of storm drainage pump systems and more specifically to a device, method and system for use in storm drainage pump systems.

BACKGROUND

[002] Storm drainage pump systems for residential and light commercial applications are well known, and have evolved over the years. These are installed at a property as a protection against potential flooding, due to heavy rainfall for example. Many residential properties, where there is a potential risk of such flooding or other rise in water levels, may have a water-collecting sump basin (sometimes also referred to as a pump chamber) located on the property (typically in the basement or other low-lying level of the property), and such pump systems will be installed in the sump basin. In many cases, such sump basin/pump systems may be required/recommended due to the district/city/municipal storm and/or sewer infrastructure being at a level above the building envelope for that particular property; without such pump systems in place, a property would flood. Such pump systems will include one or more pumps (often also referred to as “sump pumps”), and some form of sensor for detecting the presence or level of water within the sump basin. The sensor activates (and optionally may deactivate) the pumps when the water is at a specified level. In the current state of the art, the sensors are most commonly in the form of one or more float switches (such as a start/stop float).

[003] By way of background, a brief summary of storm drainage pump systems installed by builders/contractors, and how such systems have evolved over the last 30 or so years is provided below.

[004] A) A one pump system running on a start/stop float. In this system, there is no backup or alarm to tell when the system has failed. These failed regularly and, due

1 to lack of proper maintenance or just wear and tear, the only way to know the pump wasn’t functioning was when a basement became flooded.

[005] B) A one pump system with a back-up pump both running on a start/stoo float but with the back-up pump having a longer float wire/tether on the float. This design always had one pump operating and when that pump failed, the second pump would then turn on. One issue with this system is that the second pump would never turn on unless the first pump failed. Even without regular maintenance, the first pump could run for two to five years without issue in ideal conditions. During that same period, the second pump could oxidize and, as a result, jam or not start. In this situation, if the first pump fails, the second pump will not start and ultimately, the property owner’s basement still floods. Thus, this system still reguired regular, on going maintenance to ensure that the second pump is always in working condition even while the first pump was still functioning. Some systems utilized an audible alarm above the second pump to alert the customer if the second pump had failed. However, this would reguire the property owner to be home to hear the alarm in the event of the second pump failing, so that they could try to set up a temporary pump to avoid flooding.

[006] C) A two-pump system with a high-level alarm running on a 4-float circuit board technology for advanced pump control and system monitoring. This design was intended to switch pumps back and forth resulting in egual usage and wear, and to have a mechanical backup in place in case one pump failed. In this system, one could adjust the height of the floats to exactly the right height for the pumps to stop and start. This gave the pumps maximum volume to pump and extended the run times, and allowed for fewer start/stop cycles. The theory was this would extend the pumps’ life expectancy. The floats were set to STOP - START - OVERRIDE - HIGH LEVEL. The OVERRIDE float was used when the START float would engage and if the pump did not turn on due to failure, the OVERRIDE float would turn on the second pump. This OVERRIDE float was also used if excess flow came into the sump basin / pump chamber. In this situation, the second backup pump would turn on to help pump out these flows. This was the standard design used for years. The

2 main flaw with this design occurred when one pump would fail and the system would always rely on the OVERRIDE float. There was no system in place to tell the property owner that one pump had failed until the HIGH LEVEL alarm sounded, typically just minutes before the house flooded. This was an significant issue because property owners rarely did preventative maintenance on their pump system. To address this problem, an alternative configuration was provided by having the HIGH LEVEL float below the OVERRIDE float. The property owner would get a random HIGH LEVEL alarm that would let them know that their pump system needed immediate attention and servicing to avoid flooding. [007] D) A two-pump system with a high-level alarm running on a 3-float circuit board technology for advanced pump control and system monitoring. A 3-float system was provided that combined the OVERRIDE float with the HIGH LEVEL float. It was also possible to run an electrical jumper in the panel bus between the two circuits to change the Duplex Panel from a 4-float panel to a 3-float modified panel. [008] E) Newer technology using a C-Level Sensor is great for sanitary pump station systems but past history with these sensors in a storm drainage system with fine silts and oxides makes this sensor a high risk proposition and, thus, not typically used in the industry for storm pump stations in certain areas.

[009] System Monitoring. Using a Duplex Panel, there are now panels that will track PUMP RUN TIME and FLOAT CYCLE COUNT. In tracking PUMP RUN TIME, the purpose is to effectively determine how much time the pump runs before the manufacturer’s warranty expires and use this information to determine when the pumps should be replaced. In the past, the age of the pump was the only way to make a decision on whether the pump should be replaced. In tracking FLOAT CYCLE COUNT, some floats have progressed from using a mercury switch to using a ball bearing switch. Floats have a life expectancy as well and every cycle wears out the float and will eventually cause it to malfunction. The count tells the contractor/property owner when the floats should be replaced rather than relying on just age.

3 [0010] In practice, the main cause of pump station failure is lack of maintenance. Drainage systems will discharge fine silts and sands and in some areas, iron oxide. This will cause the pumps to prematurely wear or jam with debris. Another cause of pump station failure is float malfunction; floats will fail due to excessive use or age, improper installation, float rotation, or floats getting hung up on pumps or sump ladder rungs.

[0011] In terms of good installation practices, some contractors advocate the use of either a float rod or a mounted float bracket, that is positioned at the top of the sump basin, or higher.

[0012] A float rod is a rod that floats can be attached to. This allows for easy install of the floats and stops the floats from rotating. The main limitation with the use of float rods is that each float needs a minimum of six inches of space between it and the next float, so they do not hang up or twist on each other. This is the primary reason why float rods are not ideal for use in the storm water drainage industry, since there is typically very limited space within a sump basin / pump chamber.

[0013] A mounted float bracket allows the floats to be installed across the sump basin and allows for better selection of float elevations. Such systems do not require the six-inch separation between float elevations (as required with float rods), and contractors could configure systems with more exact float elevations for optimal pump run and cycle times, allowing for greater pump longevity. Float brackets are installed near the top of the sump basin (due to the typically confined space and/or considerable depth of sump basins) and mounted to the sump basin wall. This allows a contractor to remove the float bracket from the sump basin wall and lift out the entire float bracket (and floats) to perform a test on the operation of the pumps, floats and panel without performing a confined space entry.

[0014] The main limitation with using a mounted float bracket is when the sump basin is relatively deep (say, over 6 feet), the floats hang down a considerable distance without anything to properly keep them in place. For such systems, many emergency calls are due to floats either getting hung up or tangled with each other,

4 slipping and changing the operating of the pump system, or eventually rotating towards or away from each other. These effects may be caused by water flow patterns in the sump basin and/or by the air flow in the sump basin resulting from the water flow patterns. [0015] It is contemplated that some of the limitations in the prior art may be addressed or alleviated by the present invention.

SUMMARY

[0016] Disclosed herein is an improved apparatus, method and system for use with conventional sump pump systems. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, disclosed herein is a float anti-rotation and anti-movement device (sometimes referred to herein as a “FARMD” or a float separator bar).

[0017] Disclosed herein is an apparatus or float separator bar for use in stabilising a plurality of float switches connected to a sump pump, comprising: a rigid elongate member which is substantially planar and having a plurality of spaced-apart notched openings disposed along its first lateral side, wherein each of the notched openings are configured to receive therein a cable of one of the float switches, each float switch cable being securable to a respective notched opening using a cord strain relief connector such that the cable remains in a secured position and/or orientation, thereby preventing each cable from becoming entangled with another. [0018] In accordance with another aspect, the apparatus may additionally comprise a elongate backing member abutting the elongate member and disposed along the second lateral side of the elongate member, wherein the backing member extends beyond the plane of the elongate member, and is configured to engage with each of the cord strain relief connectors such that they are secured in place and unable to rotate, once they are in a closed position and have secured their respective cable to the elongate member, thereby maintaining each respective cable in a secured position. In some aspects, the elongate member and backing member may be integral or separate.

5 [0019] In certain aspects, the float separator bar may consist of three, four or six notched openings. In yet other aspects, the notched openings may be substantially keyhole-shaped. It is contemplated that the present invention may be configured to operate with between 2 and 6 float switches inclusive. [0020] Also disclosed herein is a corresponding method for stabilising a plurality of float switches connected to a sump pump installed at a sump basin, comprising: installing each of the float switches at a desired vertical position within the sump basin; positioning a float separator bar at a vertical position within the sump basin a clearance distance (between 3-12 inches) above the float weight of the highest of the desired vertical positions for the plurality of float switches; and securing each of the float switch cables to a respective one of the plurality of notched openings of the apparatus using a respective cord strain relief connector.

[0021] Also disclosed herein is a corresponding storm drainage pump system for use in a sump basin comprising: a sump pump; a number of float switches connected to the sump pump; and the float separator bar described above, to which is secured the cables of the float switches using cord strain relief connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the appended drawings. However, various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to arrangements shown in the drawings.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional float switch and weight for use with a sump pump.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a conventional float switch and weight configured to activate and deactivate a sump pump. [0025] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary float separator bar in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the float separator bar.

6 [0027] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate a prior art cord strain relief connector suitable for use with the float separator bar.

[0028] Fig. 5C illustrates another type of prior art cord strain relief clip suitable for use with the float separator bar. [0029] Fig. 5D is a perspective view of another type of prior art clip suitable for use with the float separator bar.

[0030] Fig. 6 illustrates a system comprising the float separator bar, a float switch and cord strain relief connector.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the float separator bar.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the float separator bar.

[0033] Fig. 9 illustrates a pump system within a sump basin, comprising an embodiment of the float separator bar (with backing member) and three float switches, each with a cord strain connector.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a float separator bar and three float switches with cord strain relief connectors of Fig. 9.

[0035] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a float separator bar (without a backing member) and three float switches with cord strain relief connectors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] By way of background, Fig. 1 illustrates a conventional float switch 5. This comprises a cable or float wire 10 from which the float switch 5 is typically hung or dangled into a sump basin 7. The cable 10 leads from the float switch 5 up to the top of the sump basin 7. Via the cable 10, the float switch 5 is in electrical communication with a conventional sump pump (either directly, or indirectly through a

7 controller which in turn controls the sump pump). The sump pump itself is not shown in Fig. 1, but this will typically be positioned at the bottom of the sump basin. Towards the bottom of the cable 10, is affixed a weight 20, which generally serves to help keep the cable 10 vertical and taut, and hence helps keep the float switch as a whole relatively still (and somewhat less prone to being buffeted by water or air flow within the sump basin). A float 15 is provided, which connects to the weight 20 at tether point 25. In the particular embodiment shown, the weight 20 also helps to maintain the orientation of the float 15. Referring to Fig. 2, this illustrates the basic operation of a conventional float switch. The float 15 is shown first in a position which corresponds to “pump OFF” position 30. As the water in the sump basin rises (e.g. due to storm drainage or other water accumulation) from first water level 40 to second water level 45, the float 15 becomes elevated to a position corresponding to “pump ON” position 35. At this point, the float switch activates the sump pump to start pumping out the water in the sump basin 7. As the water is pumped out from the sump basin, the water level falls. When the water level drops back to the first water level 40, the float 15 drops back down to the “pump OFF” position 30, at which point the float switch 5 deactivates the sump pump. Thus, the pump system has an operating range denoted by 50.

[0037] As discussed above, the current state of the art for storm drainage pump systems are generally more complex and will typically include multiple float switches in order to allow for finer control, greater flexibility and/or fail-safe and override mechanisms.

[0038] It is contemplated that the float separator bar is particularly well-suited for use and installation with pump systems that have multiple float switches, particularly where the float switches hang down a considerable distance (e.g. greater than ~4 feet - which is quite commonly the case). In such scenarios (usually where the sump basin is quite deep and often narrow), the issue is that the substantial length of the cables / float wires means there is a significant risk that the cables will become entangled (either with each other or with other obstructions within the sump basin such as sump pump components or a sump basin ladder) - thereby potentially

8 resulting in sub-optimal operation, poor performance or damage/failure of the pump system. In operation, the float switches may move and swing around quite a bit, being buffeted by water flow in the sump basin, as well as by air flow within the sump basin; further, sometimes, the cables may twist away from their desired or configured orientations (for example, due to the cables themselves coiling/uncoiling or twisting, because they were packaged in a coiled/twisted state).

[0039] As previously mentioned, the use of a mounted float bracket is conventionally sometimes used to help keep cables of multiple float switches in a desired position and less prone to tangling. Such a mounted float bracket, to which the cables of multiple float switches may be secured, is itself installed and affixed to the sump basin wall at or near the top of the sump basin (or higher). Conventionally, various designs of cord strain relief connectors or clips known in the art may be used to help secure each cable to the mounted float bracket. This allows a contractor, during a service call to maintain/check-up/repair a pumping system, to remove the mounted float bracket from the sump basin wall and lift out the entire system of multiple float switches from the sump basin (which can only be easily done if the mounted float bracket is installed at the top of the sump basin as designed). In practice, it would not be contemplated that the mounted float bracket be installed and affixed lower down or nearer the bottom of the sump basin; this is because this makes the float switches very difficult to inspect or service, as a confined space entry into the sump basin would be required to gain access thereto. Further, if a mounted float bracket were ever mounted low down in the sump basin, in the event a service call is made during high water or imminent flooding conditions, such a mounted float bracket may well be submerged - making it difficult for a contractor to access or even see such a mounted float bracket.

While the use of a such a mounted float bracket affixed to the top of the sump basin can help, to some extent, in limiting the degree to which the float switch cables move or swing around, in practice this does not adequately address the potential risk of float switch cables nevertheless becoming entangled when the float switch cables are

9 required to hang considerable depths (i.e. when the lengths of the cables are more than ~4 feet).

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary float separator bar 60, suitable for use in conjunction with a storm drainage pump system having a plurality of float switches (e.g. 3 floats switches). The float separator bar 60 consists of an elongate member 65, which is substantially planar and structurally rigid (in order to withstand the buffeting of the float switches and their respective cables / float wires caused by water and air flow). The elongate member 65 may be constructed, for example, from thick steel plate. On a first lateral side 70 of the elongate member 65, a number of (in this case, three) spaced-apart notched openings 80 are provided, disposed along the length of the elongate member. These notched openings may be keyhole-shaped as shown (which is generally preferable); other shapes are possible, such as arched, semi-circular, circular, V-shaped, square, hexagonal, rectangular, etc. The keyhole-shaped notched opening are generally preferable, and the various embodiments of the float separator bar herein are generally illustrated using such. Each of the notched openings 80 is sized and configured to receive therein a cable 10 of one of the multiple float switches 5. The smallest opening of the notched openings 80 must be at least as large as the diameter of the cable 10, in order for it to comfortably receive the cable.

[0041 ] The size of a float separator bar 60 is variable, and a float separator bar may be selected or sized according to a number of factors and/or desired specifications, such as the number of notched openings required, the size/diameter/depth of the sump basin, the operating depth of the float switches, the length of the float switch tethers, etc. It has been found that for typical residential sump basin and sump pump systems, that a distance between each adjacent notched opening of about 2-6 inches, preferably about 4 inches, works well; this spacing provides adequate separation between adjacent cables, while keeping the float separator bar (and float switch system) relatively compact so that the float switches can operate unhindered within the sump basin. The float separator bar itself can, for example, be from about 5 inches to 24 inches (for the version having 6

10 notched openings) long, and approximately 2-3 inches wide; although it should of course be understood that the float separator bar is not limited to such dimensions.

[0042] Numerous commercially available cord strain relief connectors 55 or “clips” have been designed specifically for use to attach cables to components provided with notched or other openings, including, for example, to those that are provided on mounted float brackets; it is contemplated that such cord strain relief connectors may also be conveniently suitably employed for use with the float separator bar 60. Such cord strain relief connectors function to connect and secure each float switch cable to the float separator bar, so that the float switches maintain their position, and in some cases also their orientation; depending on the type/nature of the cord strain relief connectors used, they may also help restrict the cables from twisting or coiling/uncoiling. Figs. 5A and 5B show one preferred example of a suitable such cord strain relief connector 55. Fig. 5A is a top plan view and Fig. 5B is a side perspective view. Such cord strain relief connector 55 comprises a substantially circularly-shaped housing 56 which is designed to receive a float cable and attach thereto. The housing 56 is configured and sized to engage with a notched opening of a mounted float bracket, thereby securing the cable to the mounted float bracket. Such cord strain relief connector is generally semi-rigid, but slightly pliable, such that when it is properly engaged with the notched opening of a prior art mounted float or of the present float separator bar, the cable is secured within the notched opening and does not detach therefrom. In some embodiments, the housing 56 is provided with a protrusion 57 extending substantially radially from the housing. With certain embodiments of the float separator bar (specifically that provided with a backing member, as discussed below), the protrusion may serve to help in better securing this particular cord strain relief connector to the float separator bar, as the connector is more restricted from rotating and moving, which reduces the possibility that the connector will twist loose over time.

[0043] Fig. 5C illustrates another type of prior art cord strain relief connector suitable for use with the float separator bar. This is shown in an “open” or uncoupled position and in a “closed” or coupled position. This type of cord strain relief

11 connector is available, for example, from Heyco ^® (sometimes referred to/sold as a Straight-Thru for Round Cables - strain relief bushing). Such cord strain relief connector similarly has a housing for receiving a cable. When the cord strain relief connector is in an uncoupled position, it can receive a cable; the connector can be coupled together so that it clamps around the cable, thereby securing it. The connector and cable are in turn secured to a notched opening of the present float separator bar, by inserting the connector into the notched opening, thereby securing the cable to the float separator bar in the desired secured position. The connector 55 as shown in Fig. 2C generally has one end (upper end) that is larger then the other (lower end). Preferably, the notched opening is configured/sized such that the lower end fits snugly into the notched opening, while the upper end has a profile that is larger than the notched opening, such than when it is installed into a notched opening, it cannot “slip through” or out of the notched opening. Further, the lower end may be configured such that it has a narrower profile in one horizontal direction and a wider profile in a second horizontal direction, such that the connector can only be inserted into and removed from a notched opening in the narrower first direction, but not when it is oriented in the second horizontal direction (e.g. by rotating it 90 degrees following insertion).

[0044] Fig. 5D is a perspective side view of another type of prior art clip suitable for use with the float separator bar. These are widely used and available from a number of manufacturers, such as, for example, from LAPP™ where it is sold under the name SKINTOP ^® . This type of connector comprises a head nut 58, central housing 59 and a lower locking nut (which is not shown). In a similar manner as described above, a cable may be secured to the float separator bar at the notched opening, by inserting the cable through the connector, and then securing the connector to the float separator bar by screwing either the head nut or locking nut and clamping the connector around the flat separator bar.

[0045] In Fig. 3, the float separator bar 60 preferably includes a backing member 85, which is disposed on the second lateral side 75 and which abuts the elongate member 65, and is affixed thereto. The backing member extends

12 substantially along the length of the elongate member, and extends beyond the plane of the elongate member 65. As shown, the backing member 85 and the elongate member 65 together form a structural member having a substantially “L”-shaped cross-section (as viewed from the side). The backing member 85 and the elongate member 65 may be separate and affixed to each other, or they may be integral. In operation, when the cord strain relief connector has secured a cable 10 of a float switch 5 to the float separator bar 60, the backing member 85 may serve to engage or abut the protrusion 57 of a cord strain relief connector 55 (as shown in Fig. 5A and 5B, for example) such that the cord strain relief connector is only rotatable in one direction. In the particular arrangement involving this embodiment of the float separator bar 60 and a cord strain relief connector of the sort illustrated by Fig. 5A, the connector (and hence the cable) is relatively more secure as it is less free to move and rotate around. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same float separator bar 60 shown in Fig. 3. In some embodiments (as shown later), the float separator bar may not include a backing member.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 6, this illustrates a system comprising a float separator bar 60 (in this case, a four-float separator bar), a float switch 5 (of which there would be four in total) and a corresponding cord strain relief connector 55 (of which there would be four in total). (The sump pump is not shown). In practice, the float separator bar 60 should preferably be positioned approximately 3 inches - 12 inches (most preferably about 6 inches) above the float weight of the highest float. Generally, this means that in the most common scenarios, the float separator bar 60 is suspended deep within the sump basin, well below the top of the sump basin. In use, the float separator bar 60 functions firstly to space apart each of the cables of the multiple float switches. Secondly, the float separator bar, in combination with the cord strain relief connectors, functions to secure each of the cables to the float separator bar, thereby restricting the float switches from rotating and reducing movement thereof. In this manner, the float separator bar helps to stabilise the overall float switch system. The float separator bar 60 in effect connects all the float switches together; since it is not attached to the walls of the sump basin, unlike how a mounted float bracket would be, it conveniently can allow a contractor to pull out the

13 entire float assembly for testing and/or for replacing floats switches. The float separator bar 60 is unmounted to the sump basin wall and is allowed to suspend freely. Use of the float separator bar could change the operation and maintenance of current and future installs of storm drainage pump systems. By eliminating or greatly limiting float switch rotation and tangling, it is expected that the number of service call-outs and floods will be greatly reduced and the overall performance of storm drainage pump systems will be dramatically improved.

[0047] The number of notched openings required by the float separator bar will generally depend on the appropriate specifications at the installation, i.e. the number of float switches employed in the storm drainage pump system. For most common applications, the number of float switches used within the same sump basin will usually be between 2 and 6 float switches.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment, a float separator bar may be provided with a number of spaced-apart, drilled holes instead of notched openings. In this case, during installation, each of the float switch cables will be set to a respective desired length and fed through a corresponding hole. For this type of arrangement, the cord strain relief connectors of the type shown in Fig. 5D, for example, would be well suited for use with such a float separator bar, in securing each of the float switch cables to the float separator bar. Flowever, this type of float separator bar may be less preferable in some instances. The use of the drilled holes may provide somewhat less flexibility or convenience when it comes to installation/maintenance/repair of the float switches; when a float switch cable is first installed or is to be removed from the system, it is generally easier to do this with a notched opening than having to thread it through or pull it out of a drilled hole. [0049] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the float separator bar. In this embodiment, the float separator bar comprises the elongate member 65 with four notched openings 80, but does not have a backing member.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the float separator bar. This float separator bar is provided with six notched openings, and hence can

14 be used with up to six float switches (which will tend to be more suitable for pump systems at commercial installations). In this embodiment, the plurality of notched openings are arranged spaced part on both first and second lateral sides of the elongate member, in alternating fashion.

[0051] Also described and illustrated herein are methods for stabilising a plurality of float switches connected to a sump pump installed at a sump basin, using a float separator bar as described above, comprising: installing each of the float switches at a desired vertical position within the sump basin; positioning the float separator bar at a vertical position within the sump basin a clearance distance (between 3-12 inches) above the float weight of the highest of the desired vertical positions for the plurality of float switches; and securing each of the float switch cables to a respective one of the plurality of notched openings of the apparatus using a respective cord strain relief connector.

[0052] Also disclosed herein is a corresponding storm drainage pump system for use in a sump basin comprising: a sump pump; a plurality of float switches connected to the sump pump; and a float separator bar as described above, to which is secured the cables of the float switches using cord strain relief connectors. Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary pump system configuration within a sump basin 100, comprising an embodiment of the float separator bar 60 (with a backing member) and three float switches 5, each with a cord strain connector 55. Each of the float switches is suspended inside the sump basin 100 via cables 10 and positioned/installed at different heights within the sump basin. Positioned at the base of the sump basin 100 is a sump pump 90. If a float switch is triggered by a change in the water level within the sump basin, the switch signal is passed via the cable to a controller (not shown), which is configured to operate the sump pump 90, As previously described, the sump pump 90 is configured to activated or deactivate depending on the whether the float switches are triggered according to the water level in the sump basin. The float separator bar 60 (in this case with 3 notched openings), in combination with the cord strain connectors, operates to stabilise the cables of the three float switches, to maintain each of the float switches at their

15 respective desired height, and to prevent the cables/float switches from becoming entangled with each other. Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of such float separator bar 60 (having a backing member 85) and the three float switches with cord strain relief connectors. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a float separator bar 60 (without a backing member) and three float switches with cord strain relief connectors.

[0053] It is also contemplated that more than one float separator bar may be used to stabilise a system of multiple float switches. For example, where the lengths of the multiple float switch cables are very long, a first float separator bar may be positioned a short distance above the float weight of the highest of the float switches and secured to the float switch cables using cord strain relief connectors (as previously described), while a second float separator bar is positioned a distance (e.g. approximately between the first float separator bar and the top of the sump basin or the upper end of the cables) above the first float separator bar and secured to the float switch cables using cord strain relief connectors. The use of the second float separator bar can help further stabilise the float switch system.

[0054] Also disclosed herein, is a pump system for use in a sump basin, comprising a sump pump; a plurality of float switches, each float switch having a respective cable; a float separator bar,

[0055] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

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