PumpFuse Sump Pump Monitor (PF03 / PF03B) — User Manual

Introduction

The PumpFuse Sump Pump Monitor is a smart plug-style device that sits between your sump pump and the wall outlet. It continuously monitors electrical power consumption to detect pump runs, anomalies, and failures — then sends real-time data and push notifications to the PumpFuse mobile app (iOS & Android).

Models

Both models are functionally identical and use the same app experience. The only difference is the physical enclosure.

What PumpFuse Monitors

Getting Started

What You Need

• A PumpFuse PF03 or PF03B device
• A sump pump plugged into a standard wall outlet
• A 2.4 GHz WiFi network with internet access
• The PumpFuse app installed on your iOS or Android device

Step 1 — Add a New Device

1. Open the PumpFuse app.
2. On the My Devices screen, tap Add device.
3. Select PumpFuse PF03 or PumpFuse PF03B as the device type.

Step 2 — Connect via Bluetooth

The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to configure the device's WiFi credentials.

1. Make sure the PumpFuse device is plugged in and the LED is flashing.
2. The app will scan for nearby PumpFuse devices.
3. If prompted, allow Bluetooth and "Nearby Devices" permissions.

💡 Tip: If the device is not found, unplug it, plug it back in, and wait for the LED to start flashing. If that doesn't work, press and hold the LED button for 10 seconds to reset WiFi credentials.

Step 3 — Select a WiFi Network

1. The app displays a list of WiFi networks detected by the PumpFuse device.
2. Select your home WiFi network from the list.
3. Tap Next › to continue.

⚠️ PumpFuse requires a 2.4 GHz WiFi network. 5 GHz-only networks are not supported.

If your network does not appear, you can tap Other… to enter the network name manually.

A "How to connect" video tutorial link is available at the bottom of this screen.

Step 4 — Enter WiFi Password

1. The selected WiFi name is pre-filled.
2. Enter the WiFi password (up to 64 characters).
3. Tap Next › to connect.

The device will attempt to connect to your WiFi network. If the connection fails, you will see a specific error message (see Troubleshooting — WiFi Errors).

Step 5 — Name Your Device

1. Enter a name for the device (e.g., "Basement Pump"). Names can be up to 15 characters and may contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens — but no trailing hyphen.
2. Answer whether your sump pump is connected through a battery backup (Yes / No). This helps PumpFuse calibrate its idle-power readings.
3. Tap Done to finish setup.

The device is added to your My Devices list and the app navigates directly to the Home Dashboard.

Home Dashboard

The Home Dashboard is the main screen you see after tapping a PF03/PF03B device in your device list. It is a single scrollable screen with the following sections from top to bottom:

App Bar

• Device Name displayed in the title bar.
• ⋯ Menu button (three horizontal dots) on the right — opens the Overflow Menu.

Real-Time Power Display (Collapsible Header)

The expanded app bar shows a large real-time power gauge area:

• "POWER (W)" label with an optional power switch toggle.
• Large digital readout in a retro seven-segment font displaying current power in watts (e.g., 0345.67). The integer part is shown large on the left and the decimal part to its right.
• Current draw in amps shown smaller (e.g., 2.88A).
• Voltage reading shown below (e.g., 121V).

When the power relay is OFF, the display shows dashes (-.--) instead of a numeric reading.

As you scroll down, this area collapses, leaving only the pinned title bar and status bar visible.

Power Switch

If Pump Protection is enabled or the relay is currently OFF, a toggle switch appears next to the "POWER (W)" label:

• Switching ON — powers the pump outlet immediately (no confirmation needed).
• Switching OFF — shows a confirmation dialog: "Are you sure you want to disconnect the pump from power supply?" — tap YES to confirm, NO to cancel.

When the device is offline or still connecting, the switch is hidden or disabled.

Status Bar (Pinned)

A persistent bar that stays visible below the app bar as you scroll. It displays the connection state:

Additional indicators on the status bar:

• 🔄 Pump Protection icon — appears when pump protection is enabled (tap for tooltip: "Pump protection is enabled").
• ⏺ Recording button — a circular record button on the right side. Tap to start or stop a power recording. While recording, the button pulses red. See Recordings for details.
• Spinner — a progress spinner appears while connecting or waiting for the first data.

Bar Chart Section

A collapsible chart area showing pump activity trends. See Bar Chart.

Log Filter Tabs

Segmented filter buttons for the alert history. See Alert Log.

Alert History List

A chronological list of pump events and alerts. See Alert Log.

Floating Action Button (FAB)

A small ☰ menu button in the bottom-right corner with two options:

• Export pump runs — exports up to 5,000 rows of pump run data for the currently selected date range. Confirm the export, then share via the system share sheet.
• Clear log — clears the visible alert log entries (with confirmation: "Do you want to clear the log?").

Overflow Menu

Tap the ⋯ (three-dot) icon in the app bar to access:

A small colored dot appears on the menu icon when attention is needed:

• 🔴 Red dot — a firmware update is available.
• 🔵 Blue dot — an alert is currently active (triggered).

Bar Chart

The bar chart section provides a visual summary of pump activity over time.

Chart Type Selector (Left Dropdown)

Date Range Selector (Right Dropdown)

Reading the Chart

• Each bar represents a day (or month for the 12-month view).
• A dashed blue horizontal line indicates the average across the visible period.
• Tap any bar to see a tooltip with the exact date and value.
• Below the chart on the left, the aggregate value is shown — total for Runs / Cost / Gallons; average for Intervals.
• On the right, a "previous period" percentage comparison shows how the current period compares:
  • ▲ with green text = increase
  • ▼ with red text = decrease

A loading indicator bar appears at the top of the chart while data is being fetched.

Calibrating Cost & Gallons

• Cost: Tap the blue, underlined cost total → enter your electricity rate in cents (¢) per kWh → Save.
• Gallons: Tap the blue, underlined gallons total → enter the flow rate coefficient (k) where Gallons = k × W × Minutes → Save.

Alert Log

Below the bar chart, the alert log shows a chronological list of pump events and alerts.

Filter Tabs

A segmented button bar lets you filter the log by category. It only appears when the log contains events from at least two different categories.

You can select multiple categories simultaneously. A snackbar confirms the currently applied filters (e.g., "Applied filters: run, power"). If no categories are selected, the snackbar shows "Applied filters: all hidden".

Alert List Entries

Each log entry shows:

• Leading icon indicating the event type (bolt for power events, cached arrows for cycling, stop icon for runs, power icon for offline events, warning for active alerts).
• Title — the event name (e.g., "Pump Started", "High Power") with optional duration in brackets (e.g., [5m 32s]).
• Date/time on the right side.
• Subtitle with additional context when available.

Color Coding

Tap any entry to open the Alert Details screen.

Alert Details

Tapping an alert log entry opens a detailed view showing everything known about that event.

Event Information

• Time — exact timestamp of the event (format: yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss).
• Details (for active alerts with server data) or Notification (for historical events) — a human-readable description of what happened, for example:
  • "Your sump pump ran for 2400 seconds, which exceeds the maximum allowed duration of 1800 seconds."
  • "Your sump pump cycled 12 times in 3600 seconds, which exceeds the maximum allowed threshold of 8 cycles in 3600 seconds."
  • "Your sump pump recorded a power draw of 650 watts for 120 seconds, which exceeds the high power threshold of 500 watts and the allowed duration of 60 seconds."

Measured Values

Depending on the event type, additional data fields are shown:

AI-Powered Recommendations

For active alerts, the app fetches recommended settings from the server based on your pump's historical data:

• Displays suggested threshold values with descriptive labels.
• "Apply & dismiss" button — applies the recommended settings to the device and clears the active alert in one step.
• If no suitable recommendations are found, the app suggests: "We recommend disabling this alert due to insufficient repeatable patterns in your data." The Apply button will disable the alert.

Dismiss Button

For active alerts, a "Dismiss" text button clears the triggered alert state without changing any settings.

Reference Information

Below the action buttons, reference information is always shown:

• Condition — describes what triggers this alert type.
• Possible Cause — lists likely real-world causes.
• User Action — suggests what to inspect or fix.

Recordings

Recordings let you capture a continuous stream of real-time power data for manual analysis (e.g., during a pump test or troubleshooting session).

Starting a Recording

On the Home Dashboard, tap the circular record button (⏺) in the status bar. The button begins to pulse red, indicating that data is being captured.

Stopping a Recording

Tap the record button again. A snackbar confirms: "A new power recording has been saved."

Viewing Recordings

From the overflow menu → Recordings, you see a list of all saved recordings. Each entry shows:

• Time of the recording start
• Date and optional note
• Duration on the right (e.g., 3m 22s)

Recording Actions

• Tap a recording to view its power graph in a bottom sheet — a line chart showing watts over time.
• Swipe left on a recording to delete it (with confirmation: "Want to delete this recording?").

Pump Insights

From the overflow menu → Pump Insights, view a detailed analytics table comparing pump performance across three time windows.

Metrics Table

Each cell shows the value plus a change indicator compared to the previous equivalent period:

• ▲+X% (increase)
• ▼X% (decrease)

The table has columns for Last 24 Hours, Last 7 Days, Last 30 Days, and Description.

An Export floating action button lets you share the insights data.

Settings

From the overflow menu → Settings, the main settings list shows:

A 🔴 red dot appears next to Firmware Update when a new version is available. A 🔵 blue dot appears next to Log Alerts when an alert is currently active.

Pump Run Detection

Configures how the device determines that the pump is running:

Factory Reset

Tap Factory Reset → confirm ("Want to reset the device to factory settings?") → the device resets to factory defaults. The app shows a loading screen: "Resetting to factory settings. Please wait until your device is flashing. This may take up to 60 seconds." After completion the app returns to the device list.

Alert Configuration

From Settings → Log Alerts, you see a list of all 9 configurable alert types. Each shows:

• A ✓ checkmark if the alert is enabled.
• A ⚠️ warning icon (in red) if the alert is currently triggered.
• Tap any alert to open its configuration page.

At the bottom of the list: Reset Alerts Settings — restores all alert thresholds to their factory defaults (with confirmation: "Want to reset the all alerts settings to the default values?").

Common Alert Page Layout

Every alert configuration page follows the same structure:

1. Active alert banner — if this alert is currently triggered, a highlighted notification banner appears at the top showing the notification text and the timestamp when it was triggered.
2. Enable/Disable toggle — toggles the alert on or off. When switching ON for the first time, the app contacts the server for AI-recommended settings based on your pump's historical data:
   • If recommendations are found, the threshold fields are auto-populated.
   • If no recommendations exist (insufficient data), a dialog offers: "Try later" (keeps alert off) or "Set manually" (turns alert on with empty/default values).
3. Configurable parameters — varies by alert type (see below).
4. Save button — saves changes to the device. A snackbar confirms: "Settings updated."
5. Reference section — always shown at the bottom:
   • Notification — the push notification text for this alert.
   • Condition — describes what triggers the alert.
   • Possible Cause — lists likely real-world causes.
   • User Action — suggests what to inspect or fix.

If you navigate away with unsaved changes, a dialog asks: "You have unsaved changes. Do you really want to leave?"

Alert Types Reference

1. Pump Started

• Parameters: None (enable/disable only)
• Notification: "Your sump pump has started running. Monitoring cycle duration and performance."
• Condition: The sump pump starts running.
• Possible Cause: Water level in the sump pit has reached the activation point of the float switch.
• User Action: Generally, no immediate action is required, but users can be notified for monitoring purposes.

2. Excessive Run

• Parameters:
  • Max run duration (s) — maximum seconds the pump may run continuously before triggering (e.g., 1800 = 30 minutes)
• Notification: "Excessive run time detected. Check for blockages, inspect the discharge pipe, and verify water inflow sources."
• Condition: Pump runs continuously for longer than the configured maximum duration.
• Possible Cause: High water inflow, pump struggling due to blockage.
• User Action: Check for blockages, inspect the discharge pipe, verify water inflow sources.

3. Expected Run

• Parameters:
  • Expected run interval (s) — maximum seconds between pump runs before triggering
• Notification: "Your sump pump has not activated for an extended period. Verify the float switch and pump functionality."
• Condition: The pump does not run during periods when it is expected to run based on historical patterns of regular activity.
• Possible Cause: Mechanical failure, stuck float switch, or electrical issues preventing the pump from starting.
• User Action: Inspect the pump, check the float switch, and verify electrical connections to ensure the pump is operational.

4. Unusual Power

• Parameters:
  • Normal idle power min (w) — minimum watts considered normal when idle
  • Normal idle power max (w) — maximum watts considered normal when idle
  • Unusual power threshold duration (s) — how long power must be outside the normal range before triggering
• Notification: "Unusual power draw detected. Inspect the sump pump and electrical connections for faults or interference."
• Condition: The pump exhibits power consumption when it is expected to be idle, or the power consumption is significantly different from the usual idle power draw.
• Possible Cause: Pump backup/generator or electrical issues, a malfunctioning component within the pump, a leak or short circuit, or interference from other electrical devices.
• User Action: Inspect the sump pump and its electrical connections for any faults, check for signs of leaks or short circuits, and ensure that no other devices are causing interference.

5. Short Cycling

• Parameters:
  • Max cycling threshold (count) — number of pump cycles above which short cycling is detected
  • Short cycling threshold duration (s) — the time window in which the cycles are counted
• Notification: "Your sump pump is turning on and off more frequently than expected. This may indicate a float switch issue or other mechanical problem. Please investigate."
• Condition: The pump is starting and stopping too often in a short period, which can reduce its efficiency and lifespan.
• Possible Cause: Faulty or improperly positioned float switch, mechanical or electrical malfunctions, or a sump pit that's too small for the incoming water flow.
• User Action: Check the float switch position and condition, verify the sump pit size, and ensure all pump components are functioning correctly. Adjust or replace parts as needed.

6. Long Cycling

• Parameters:
  • Min cycling threshold (count) — number of pump cycles below which long cycling is detected
  • Long cycling threshold duration (s) — the time window in which the cycles are counted
• Notification: "Your sump pump is not completing the expected number of cycles or is running longer than usual. This may indicate a clog, blocked discharge line, or high water table. Please investigate."
• Condition: Pump cycles fall outside the normal range — either by running too long or cycling too few times within the configured period.
• Possible Cause: Clogged pump, blocked discharge line, or persistently high water inflow.
• User Action: Check for blockages in the pump or discharge pipe, and verify that your water inflow levels are as expected.

7. High Power

• Parameters:
  • High power threshold (w) — watts above which the alert triggers
  • High power threshold duration (s) — how long power must exceed the threshold before triggering
• Notification: "High power consumption detected. Please check for obstructions or mechanical issues."
• Condition: Power consumption exceeds the configured threshold for the configured duration (e.g., >500W for an extended period).
• Possible Cause: Pump motor working harder than normal due to an obstruction or mechanical issue.
• User Action: Check for obstructions, inspect the pump for mechanical issues.

8. Low Power

• Parameters:
  • Low power threshold (w) — watts below which the alert triggers during a pump run
  • Low power threshold duration (s) — how long power must stay below the threshold before triggering
• Notification: "Low power consumption detected. Please inspect the sump pit for water level and check pump operation."
• Condition: The sump pump's power consumption is significantly below the normal operating range when it is supposed to be running.
• Possible Cause: The pump might be running dry, not engaging properly, or there could be an electrical issue.
• User Action: Inspect the sump pit for water levels, check the pump for proper engagement, and verify electrical connections.

9. Device Offline (Disconnection)

• Parameters: None (enable/disable only)
• Notification: "Power outage or disconnection detected. Verify power supply, check for backup power solutions."
• Condition: Loss of power to the pump system detected for longer than 5–10 minutes.
• Possible Cause: Power outage or disconnection.
• User Action: Verify power supply, check for backup power solutions.

Pump Protection

(Requires firmware ≥ 1.4.45)

Pump Protection allows the PumpFuse device to automatically cut power to the pump when certain alert conditions are met. This can prevent damage from overload, dry running, or other fault conditions.

Parameters

Protection Triggers

You can enable protection for each of the following alert types (only those that are currently enabled in Log Alerts will appear):

• ☐ Excessive Run — cut power if the pump runs too long
• ☐ High Power — cut power if the pump draws too much power (overload)
• ☐ Low Power — cut power if the pump draws too little power (dry running)

Warning

⚠️ WARNING! If your selected trigger condition is met, the pump will shut off. With auto-reset set to 0 by default, manual restart is required — potentially increasing flood risk.

For automatic recovery, consider setting auto-reset to a value greater than 0 (e.g., 600 seconds for a 10-minute delay).

When pump protection is active, a 🔄 icon appears:

• In the status bar on the Home Dashboard
• Next to Pump Protection in the Settings list

Notification Settings

(Requires firmware ≥ 1.4.45)

From Settings → Notifications, configure which alert types send push notifications to your phone versus being silently logged.

Each alert type has:

• A toggle switch — ON = sends push notification, OFF = log only (no push)
• A [Send] test button — sends a test push notification immediately so you can verify delivery

Available notification toggles:

Sharing & QR Code

From the overflow menu → Share:

1. The app generates a QR code unique to this device.
2. The device name is displayed above the QR code.
3. Another PumpFuse app user can scan this QR code to add the device to their app.
4. Alternatively, tap Send to share a link via any sharing method (Messages, Email, AirDrop, etc.). The link opens a web page that redirects to the PumpFuse app.

📝 Note: The QR code is private. Sharing it gives others full access to view this device's data. This is the QR code generated in the app — not the QR code sticker on the physical device.

Adding a Shared Device

On the receiving end:

1. Open the PumpFuse app.
2. On the My Devices screen, tap Add device (or the QR code option).
3. Select Scan shared QR Code.
4. Scan the QR code or open the shared link.
5. The device appears in your device list.

⚠️ Scanning the QR code sticker printed on the physical device will not work for this purpose. Only QR codes generated via the app's Share feature can be used.

Color Theme

From the overflow menu → Color theme, choose a visual color scheme for this specific device. Available themes:

• Amber
• Damask
• Flutter Dash
• Hippie Blue
• Sakura
• Wasabi

Each device can have its own color theme, making it easy to visually distinguish multiple devices at a glance. The selected theme is previewed as a color swatch in the selection dialog.

Video Tutorials

From the overflow menu → ▶ Video tutorials, browse a library of how-to videos:

Tap any video to play it within the app.

About & Device Info

From Settings → About, view technical information about the device and app:

Tapping any row copies its value to the clipboard (with snackbar confirmation).

WiFi Signal Strength Reference

Firmware Update

From Settings → Firmware Update:

• If your firmware is up to date, a snackbar says: "You got the latest version."
• If a new version is available, the app shows the available version number. Confirm the update to begin installation.

During the update:

• An unattended install progress bar screen appears (~45 seconds).
• The message reads: "Firmware upgrade "X.X.XX" started. Do not disconnect the device from power source."

⚠️ Do not unplug the device from power during a firmware update.

After the update completes, the device automatically reboots and reconnects. The app returns to the Home Dashboard.

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

"Can't Reach Device" Dialog

If the app loses its MQTT connection while viewing the Home Dashboard, after approximately 15 seconds a dialog appears:

Can't Reach Device

"We're having trouble connecting. This could be:

• Your phone's WiFi or internet
• The device is temporarily offline

Don't worry — your pump still works normally. We just can't show live data right now.

Want to try reconnecting?"

• Try Again — invalidates the current connection and attempts to reconnect.
• Go Back — returns to the device list.

"Connecting" Stays Too Long

If the status bar shows "Connecting" for more than 30 seconds:

1. Check that your phone has internet access.
2. Verify the PumpFuse device LED is solid (not flashing). A flashing LED means the device is not connected to WiFi.
3. Try closing and reopening the app.
4. If the device LED is flashing, it may need to be reconfigured (re-add the device).

App Backgrounding Behavior

When the app is moved to the background:

• After 2 minutes, the MQTT connection is disconnected to conserve battery.
• When you return to the app, it automatically reconnects.
• If reconnection fails, the "Can't Reach Device" dialog will appear.

WiFi Connection Errors

During initial setup, if the device cannot connect to WiFi, a specific error message is shown:

Bluetooth Issues

"Invalid Connection" Auto-Removal

If the device's authentication credentials become invalid (e.g., after a factory reset by another user), the app automatically:

1. Removes the device from your list.
2. Deletes all cached data (recordings, daily runs, export data, alert cache, log preferences).
3. Shows a snackbar: "The connection to the device is no longer active and was removed."

You will need to re-add the device using the setup wizard or a new shared QR code.

Factory Reset (Hardware)

If the device is unresponsive or you need to start fresh:

1. Press and hold the LED button on the PumpFuse device for 10 seconds.
2. The device clears its WiFi credentials and enters setup mode (LED begins flashing).
3. You can now re-add the device through the app's setup wizard.

Factory Reset (Software)

From the app: Settings → Factory Reset → confirm. The device resets all settings and reboots. The app navigates back to the device list and refreshes.

FAQ

How much power does the PumpFuse device itself use?

The PumpFuse device uses less than 1 watt — negligible compared to your sump pump.

Does PumpFuse work with all sump pumps?

Yes. PumpFuse works with any sump pump that plugs into a standard wall outlet. It monitors power consumption regardless of brand, horsepower, or model.

What is the difference between PF03 and PF03B?

They are functionally identical. The PF03 is designed for indoor use (basement, utility room), while the PF03B has a weather-resistant enclosure for outdoor installations. The app experience is the same for both.

What happens during a power outage?

When power is lost, the device goes offline. When power returns:

1. The device reconnects to WiFi automatically.
2. A "Pump Power ON" event is logged.
3. If the Disconnection alert is enabled and notifications are on, a push notification is sent.
4. Normal monitoring resumes.

The app also logs a "Pump Power OFF" event marking when power was lost.

Can I monitor multiple pumps?

Yes. Add multiple PF03/PF03B devices — one per pump. Each appears as a separate entry in your device list with its own dashboard, settings, alerts, and color theme.

Can multiple people monitor the same pump?

Yes. Use the Share feature to generate a QR code or link. Other users scan it with their PumpFuse app to add the device to their device list.

Is my data secure?

• Data is transmitted over encrypted MQTT connections (TLS/SSL).
• Each device has a unique UUID and authentication password.
• Only you and people you explicitly share with can access your data.

What does the battery backup question during setup affect?

Telling PumpFuse that a battery backup is connected helps calibrate idle-power detection. Battery backup units may draw continuous standby power even when the pump is not running, which could otherwise cause false "Unusual Power" alerts.

What do the chart types mean?

• Runs — total number of pump start/stop cycles
• Avg. Interval — average time between consecutive pump starts
• Cost — estimated electricity cost based on your configured ¢/kWh rate
• Gallons — estimated water volume based on the calibrated flow-rate coefficient (Gallons = k × W × Minutes)

How do I rename my device?

Go to the overflow menu → Settings → About → tap Device Name → enter a new name → Save.

How do I remove a device from my list?

On the My Devices screen, swipe left on the device and confirm removal. This only removes it from your app — it does not reset the physical device.

What does "Pump Protection enabled" mean?

It means the device is configured to automatically cut power to the pump if certain conditions are met (excessive run, high power, or low power). A 🔄 icon in the status bar indicates this. See Pump Protection for configuration details.

How often does the app check for firmware updates?

The app checks for available firmware updates each time you open the Settings page. A red dot on the menu icon indicates when an update is available.

Support

If you need additional help:

• Email: sales@pumpfuse.com
• In-app: Overflow menu → Email support or Feedback
• Website: https://www.pumpfuse.com
• Video tutorials: Overflow menu → ▶ Video tutorials