6-CIA 1/3 HP Submersible Discharge Pump

If, from a desktop computer, you scroll down the Home Depot product listing page you will come to a section entitled Product Details. There you will find PDFs of the product documents. The specification sheet contains information on both 506158 and 506168. The only discernible difference between the two units is the cord length 8’ vs 10’. For safety reasons it is recommended that you do not change the factory cord.

All pumps are rated on graphs called pump curves. On one axis you have flow rate and on the other you have height. The graph or curve illustrates pumps’ performance across its operating range. If you scroll down the Home Depot product listing page you will come to a section entitled Product Details. If you expand that section, there are PDFs of the product documents. You will find the pump curve for this unit on the second page of the specification sheet. Assuming by 7’ you meant your pool is 7’ deep you can see by the curve that when lifting water 7’ this unit will pump 42 gallons per minute. If you happen to know the volume of your poll you can now determine how long it will take this pump to empty it.

If you scroll down the Home Depot product listing page you will come to a section entitled product details. If expand that section you will find PDFs of the product documents. On the brochure there is a section that indicates the cord length of all models within this family of pump. It shows that this variant the 506158 has an 8’ cord.

Is it a problem? I wouldn’t call it a problem. And in most cases, there is no alternative. But as a plumber I can tell you that you have good intuition relative to a few best practices. First it is a good idea to exercise a pump periodically. When a pump goes for long periods without running the humidity and other factors can cause it to stick. Then the next time it goes to turn on it doesn’t. Usually, a quick jolt will cause it to free up. But that is no help if the area has already sustained damage. Therefore, if the unit hasn’t run for six months or more, I would suggest dumping some water into the sump to make sure its in operational condition by causing the pump to cycle on. Taking this a step further when installing large pumping systems, it is a best practice to keep the pumps always under water. We set the control floats in such a way that when the pump or pumps come on, they only clear the fluid above the pumps. They don’t run until the chamber is empty. By keeping the pumps constantly submerged, you ensure that they are always cool, never air bind and never dry out and exposed to the air. This goes a long way to ensuring a long life and diminishing corrosion. But again, in a simple sump this is not practical.

You have indicated both an item number and a model number. Item numbers such as 506158 are unique to a specific version of a product. They change when a product is modified, improved or changed in any way. Model numbers such as 6CIA may be produced for decades. During that time period the item number may change periodically to reflect changes in the product. Therefore, if you currently have item 506158 and you replace it with the same item number, they should be exactly the same. However, if you currently have a 25-year-old model 6CIA and you replace it with a new version of model 6CIA it may have subtle differences. Both the model number and item number should be indicated on the product. If you scroll down the Home Depot product listing page you will come to a section entitled Product Details. I you expand that section you will find PDFs of the product documents. If you open the specification sheet it will list current models. Item numbers and give information about all versions. It also includes an illustration giving further details and measurements.

I understood if you have furher quesitons you are welcome to give me a call at 978 651 3301 Chris

Sorry - I should have ended my question by asking, "does the speed at which the water comes into the pit affect the "on level" - in other words, words, does it affect when the pump is triggered to go on? Thanks

If you follow the power cord to the pump you will see it meets the pump at a plastic box held onto the pump by four screws. Inside the box is a rubber diaphragm. One side of the diaphragm is exposed to sump water. On the other side of the diaphragm is a switch. When the water pressure reaches a certain level, it is sufficient to push the diaphragm against eh switch turning on the pump. When the water is evacuated, and water pressure is reduced the pump shuts off in reverse order. The water levels indicated are the rough approximation of the water levels needed to create the pressures necessary to open and close the switch.

Yes, it works on a float

Yes - it has an internal sensor that automatically turns on when the water level is too high. All you need to do is keep it plugged in.

The simple answer is Yes but allow me to elaborate. If you look on the Home Depot product listing page under header "Info and Guides" you will find a PDF of the specification sheet. The specification sheet indicates this pump item number 506158 is also known as model number 6CIA. The suffix CIA stands for automatic. The specification goes on to indicate the following: Automatic operation with pressure switch activates pump when water level is between 7" and 10". Pump shuts off when water level falls to between 1" and 4" (pressure switch is non-adjustable)

Yes it is, it will automatically come on when water gets to a certain level over the top of pump

Yes it has an internal float switch that triggers pump to come on when water level is reached

Yes it is automatic