Home well water systems

[bucolic_frolic]

I'm pretty good with these things. But I want to diagnose correctly from the start, so I don't burn out the backup spare controller and switch.

A few days ago, I think it was Tuesday or Monday, the GFCI flipped while the toaster was running. Very unusual. Hasn't happened in 10 years. So I pushed it back in and all was fine.

Today, my well pump won't turn on. Totally separate circuit mind you, but I'm thinking a short in the well system could have pulled current and flipped the toaster GFCI?

Anyway, the well fuses are ok, though I do have spares and can replace them to be sure. The pressure tank reads 4 pounds, slightly more than when I turn off the system and drain it for sediment.

The oldest parts of the system are the wiring (41) and the bladder (18). Frankly the bladder is due or overdue. Could that be the problem? Would a ruptured or clogged bladder cause the switch not to turn on at 30 pounds?? yet still allow the water to run down to empty? I think unlikely.

So I'm going to examine visible parts of the wiring, including under the well cap, and see if anything. Test the switch, perhaps remove it and look for clogs.

I'm thinking the problem is in the controller or the pump. But the pump (very very light use) is only 6.5 years old and so is the controller and switch.

Thanks for any ideas. It's going to be a dry weekend here!