Step 1: Audit your existing control panel signals
Open the panel and list the signals you want to watch. A cellular alarm unit installs as a read-only overlay, so your floats, PLC or alternator keep control of the pumps.
Alarm contacts
Look for spare auxiliary contacts on high and low floats, phase monitors and pump thermal or seal-fail relays.
Pump run status
Identify the coil voltage on your Pump 1 and Pump 2 contactors so you can log runtimes and cycle counts.
4-20 mA level transmitters
If the wet well has a submersible transducer or ultrasonic sensor, check whether the unit can share the loop or needs a loop isolator.
Current sensors
With no spare run contacts, clamp-on split-core current sensors monitor motor amperage without disconnecting leads.
Step 2: Verify cellular signal and carrier options
Lift stations sit in low easements, behind retaining walls and inside steel enclosures that block radio waves.
Test signal on site
Check AT&T and Verizon signal inside the station footprint before choosing a single-carrier or dual-SIM plan.
Mount the antenna outside the metal
Never leave an antenna sealed in a metal cabinet. Use a knockout on the top or side for a weatherproof antenna.
Keep cables away from high voltage
Route antenna leads away from pump motor feeders and variable frequency drives to avoid interference.
Step 3: Wire the unit as an independent overlay
Follow lockout/tagout procedures before making any connection inside the panel.
Mount the unit
Bolt the weatherproof enclosure next to the panel, or mount the DIN-rail module on an open backplate area.
Connect power
Wire control power to the unit so it can report AC power loss and restoration.
Land the inputs
Connect floats, pump run contacts and 4-20 mA level signals to their input terminals.
Optional relay output
Wire the dry-contact relay for remote alarm silencing or a backup pump trigger if your crew wants it.
Step 4: Set alarm thresholds and callouts
Once the unit reports to the dashboard, set thresholds that catch real emergencies without alarm fatigue.
High and low wet-well levels
Use progressive thresholds, such as a warning at 75% of capacity and a critical callout at 85%, ahead of the mechanical high-level float.
Excessive runtime and short-cycling
Alert when one pump runs continuously for a set time, which points to a clogged impeller or stuck check valve, or starts too often.
Tiered callouts
Send minor warnings by text or email and escalate high water and power loss to voice calls.
Step 5: Test and commission every alarm input
Before closing the cabinet, run a live end-to-end test with your crew.
Simulate high water
Tip the high-level float or inject a 4-20 mA test signal and confirm the voice, text and dashboard alerts arrive.
Test a power loss
Switch off the breaker feeding the unit and confirm the AC power loss notification.
Check the logs
Confirm daily pump runtimes and wet-well trends record cleanly for your compliance reports.
Retrofit a lift station with no multi-year contract
The TankVitals S2C installs alongside your existing control panel, offers dual AT&T and Verizon cellular, and starts with a 30-day free trial on flat month-to-month monitoring.