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Sump pump power plug recipe

A sump pump that runs and runs, which means water is coming in faster than usual or the float is stuck.

A sump pump that runs and runs, which means water is coming in faster than usual or the float is stuck. Between the pump's cord and its outlet. A plug that measures power sees the pump start and stop. In Home Assistant it shows up as a sensor, device class power (a plug that measures watts). When the pump draws more than 50 watts for 10 minutes, or its plug goes offline, tell you to check it. A pump that cycles is working. One that draws power for many minutes straight is worth a look, and a plug that drops off the network may mean the power is out. The minutes are this site's choice; set them from how long your own pump usually runs.

What it catches

A sump pump that runs and runs, which means water is coming in faster than usual or the float is stuck.

Where it goes

Between the pump's cord and its outlet. A plug that measures power sees the pump start and stop.

How it shows up in Home Assistant

As a sensor, device class power (a plug that measures watts). Plug-in devices often use Wi-Fi and join the home network directly; Home Assistant finds most of them on its own.

Why the recipe looks like this

A pump that cycles is working. One that draws power for many minutes straight is worth a look, and a plug that drops off the network may mean the power is out. The minutes are this site's choice; set them from how long your own pump usually runs.

Write it for your sensor

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SensorRadioAutomationYou

Sump pump power plug. When the pump draws more than 50 watts for 10 minutes, or its plug goes offline, tell you to check it.

watts
minutes

automations.yaml

Download
- alias: "Sump: the pump will not stop"
  mode: single
  triggers:
    - trigger: numeric_state
      entity_id: sensor.sump_pump_power
      above: 50
      for:
        minutes: 10
    - trigger: state
      entity_id: sensor.sump_pump_power
      to: "unavailable"
      for:
        minutes: 5
  actions:
    - action: notify.mobile_app_your_phone
      data:
        title: "Check the sump pump"
        message: "{% if trigger.to_state.state == \"unavailable\" %}The sump pump plug went offline. The power may be out.{% else %}The sump pump has been running for a while. Water may be coming in fast, or the float may be stuck.{% endif %}"

Rename the entities to your own, then paste. Syntax: Home Assistant: Automation triggers.

Sources

  1. Home Assistant: Sensor (device classes temperature, humidity, power, battery) Home Assistant
  2. Home Assistant: Numeric state trigger Home Assistant
  3. NDSU Extension: Check your sump pump North Dakota State University Extension

Drafted with a language model on October 26, 2026 from the sources listed above. Every recipe on the page is written by the site's own code and parsed by a test. The editor samples pages after they publish; nothing here is advice from a licensed electrician or plumber.

Found an error? See Corrections.

Sump pump power plug recipe | Sensor House