
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MM-221G
Model 157S-RBP-MD
(Snap Switch)
Low Water Cut-Off/Pump
Controller
Applications:
For bi-level pump control applications such
as multiple boiler level operation.
CAUTION
WARNING
• Before using this product read and understand instructions.
• Save these instructions for future reference
• All work must be performed by qualified personnel trained in the proper application, installation, and maintenance of plumbing, steam, and electrical equipment and/or systems in
accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances.
• To prevent serious burns, the boiler must be cooled to 80˚F (27˚C) and the pressure must be
0 psi (0 bar) before servicing.
• To prevent electrical shock, turn off the electrical power before making electrical connections.
• This low water cut-off must be installed in series with all other limit and operating controls
installed on the boiler. After installation, check for proper operation of all of the limit and
operating controls before leaving the site.
• We recommend that secondary (redundant) Low Water Cut-Off controls be installed on all
steam boilers with heat input greater than 400,000 BTU/hour or operating above 15 psi of
steam pressure. At least two controls should be connected in series with the burner control
circuit to provide safety redundancy protection should the boiler experience a low water
condition. Moreover, at each annual outage, the low water cut-offs should be dismantled,
inspected, cleaned, and checked for proper calibration and performance.
• To prevent serious personal injury from steam blow down, connect a drain pipe to the control
opening to avoid exposure to steam discharge.
• To prevent a fire, do not use this low water cut-off to switch currents over 7.4A, 1/3 Hp at
120 VAC or 3.7A, 1/3 Hp at 240 VAC, unless a starter or relay is used in conjunction with it.
Failure to follow this warning could cause property damage, personal injury or death.
®
Model 157S-RBP-MD
WARNING

Pump or Motorized Valve
Circuit Rating (Amperes)
Voltage Full Load Locked Rotor Pilot Duty
120 VAC 7.4 44.4
345 VA at
240 VAC 3.7 22.2
120 or 240 VAC
Approximate
Distance Above
Cast Line Differential
Setting In. (mm) In. (mm)
Pump Off 5
1
/2 (140)
1
1
/2(38)
Pump On 4 (102)
Pump Off
15
/16 (24)
3
/8(16)
Pump On
9
/16 (14)
Burner Off 0 N/A
Pump Off 17/16 (37)
3
/4(19)
Pump On
11
/16 (17)
Burner Off -
3
/8 (-16) N/A
2
PUMP OFF
CAST LINE
3
/8"
(35mm)
9
/16"
(16mm)
PUMP ON
BURNER OFF
CASTING LINE
PUMP ON
PUMP OFF
OPERATION
Maximum Pressure: 150 psi (10.5 kg/cm2)
Electrical Ratings
Float Control
Probe Control (750BM-P-120-CI)
157S-RBP-MD
Settings and Differential Pressures:
Probe Sensitivity:
- 26,000 ohms
Probe Input Power
- 120 volts
Pump or Motorized Valve
Circuit Rating (Amperes)
Voltage Full Load Locked Rotor
120 VAC 7.2 43.2
240 VAC 3.75 21.6
Probes Any
Pressure
Float
0 psi
(0 kg/cm
2
)
Float
150 psi
(10.5 kg/cm2)
Pressure
Alarm Circuit Rating
Voltage Amps
120 VAC 1
240 VAC 1/2
Motor Horsepower
Voltage Amps
120 VAC 1/3
240 VAC 1/3
* Values are ± 8" (3.2mm).
Probe Settings
Float Settings (0 psi)

NORMAL BOILER WATER LINE
“CUT-OFF” LEVEL AT CAST LINE
11/2"
(38mm)
MINIMUM
SAFE
WATER
LEVEL
BLOW DOWN VALVE
BLOW DOWN VALVE
Size the steam (top) and water (bottom)
horizontal equalizing pipe lengths so that
the horizontal cast line on the body is 12"
(38mm) below the boiler’s normal water
level, but not lower than the minimum
safe water level, as determined by the
boiler manufacturer.
STEP 1 - Determine the Elevation at Which the
Low Water Cut-Off/Pump Controller Must be Installed
INSTALLATION –
TOOLS NEEDED:
Two (2) pipe wrenches, one (1) flathead screw
driver, and pipe sealing compound.
3
IMPORTANT: Follow the boiler manufacturer's
instructions along with all applicable codes and
ordinances for piping, blow down valve and water
gauge glass requirements.
a. Using a pipe wrench, unscrew the plastic float
blocking plug (A) from the float block tapping
of the low water cut-off body (B).
Install pipe plug (provided) to seal port.
STEP 2 - Installing the Low Water Cut-Off
b. Mount and pipe the low water cut-off (C) on a
vertical equalizing pipe (D) at the required
elevation level, as determined in Step 1.
Install full ported blow down valves directly below
the lower cross of the water equalizing pipe (F).
NORMAL BOILER
WATER LINE
C
D
F
BLOW DOWN VALVE
BLOW DOWN VALVE
The plug must be reinstalled before control is
shipped installed on the boiler, and removed
when boiler is installed after shipment.
Failure to follow this caution may damage
float and operating mechanism
B
A

4
STEP 3 - Electrical Wiring
a. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the
junction box cover (K) by unscrewing the four
(4) cover screws.
• To prevent electrical shock, turn off the electrical power before making electrical connections.
• This low water cut-off must be installed in series with all other limit and operating controls installed on the
boiler. After installation, check for proper operation of all of the limit and operating controls, before leaving
the site.
• Modification of the switch assembly before or after installation could cause damage to the boiler and/or
boiler system.
• Boiler manufacturer schematics should always be followed. In the event that the boiler manufacturer’s
schematic does not exist, or is not available from the boiler manufacturer, refer to the schematics provided
in this document.
Failure to follow this warning could cause electrical shock, an explosion and/or a fire, which could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
WARNING
Switch Operation - Float Control
Switch Operation - Probe Control
Boiler feed pump off,
burner on, alarm off.
Boiler feed pump on,
burner on, alarm off.
Boiler feed pump on,
burner off, alarm on.
1 2 4 5 6 1 2 4 5 6
Water “ON” High Probe
L1
1
L2
2
HIGH
PROBE
3
4
LOW
PROBE
COMMON
8
N.C. CONT.
7
N.O. CONT.
6
5
GND
1 2 4 5 6
Water “OFF” Low Probe
L1
1
8
L2
2
HIGH
PROBE
3
4
LOW
PROBE
5
COMMON
N.C. CONT.
7
N.O. CONT.
6
GND

5
b. Following the appropriate wiring diagram, (refer
to page 6) based on your application requirements, and using BX armored cable or Thinwall
electrical metal tubing connector fittings, make
electrical connections to the junction box (L).
PUMP
SWITCH
PUMP
CIRCUIT
TERMINALS
LOW WATER
CUT-OFF AND
ALARM SWITCH
ALARM
CIRCUIT
TERMINALS
LOW WATER
CUT-OFF
TERMINALS
L
IMPORTANT: There must be a minimum space
of 1/2" (13mm) between connector fittings and
electrical live metal parts.
• Mount 750BM module using 8 pin
socket base (supplied by others) in
Boiler Electrical Panel.
• Install electrical conduit between
Probe Housing and Boiler
Electrical Panel.
• Pull three (3) wires through conduit.
Boiler sight glass must be visible from location of
Control Box and must be within 25 feet of Control
Body.
NOTE
Refer to and follow local codes and standards
when selecting conduit and electrical fittings.
Probe wires must be in their own conduit. If they
are run in conduit with other wires, there may be
interference that can affect the performance of the
control.
NOTE
Wire must be 18 AWG stranded with glass braided
silicone jacket (UL 3071) suitable for high temperature (200˚C) service.
NOTE
Snap Switches (Series 150S)
Installation of 750BM-P-120-CI

WIRING DIAGRAMS
Low Water Cut-Off Only
1. Main Line Switch - For burner circuits within
the switch’s electrical rating.
LINE LOAD
12 456
OR
Pump Control Only
1. Instal a starter or relay in pump control circuit,
as shown, to prevent damage to snap switch
and help insure proper switch/control operation.
Failure to do so may shorten the life of the
switch when actual amperage exceeds
switch rating.
2. Connect wires from holding coil of pump starter
or relay to terminals 1 and 2 as shown.
Alarm Circuit Only
1. Low Water Alarm
ALARM
NEUTRAL
12 456
HOT
2. Pilot Switch - To holding coil of a starter when the
burner circuit exceeds the switch’s electrical rating.
12 456
LOAD
NOTE: To help insure most effective operation, balance boiler feed pump(s) to deliver required water
feeder rate to match boiler steaming requirements.
LINE
12 456
LOAD
2. High Water Alarm
ALARM
OR
NEUTRAL
HOT
12 4 56
Combination Pump Control, Low Water Cut-Off and Alarm
1. Main Line Switch - For burner circuits within
the switch’s electrical rating.
SEE PUMP
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
12 456
ALARM
TO BURNER CONTROL CIRCUIT
HOT
TO NEUTRAL
ELECTRONIC PROBES:
L2
HIGH
PROBE
PROBE
6
AC SUPPLY
NH
L1
2
3
LOW
1
4
2. Pilot Switch-To holding coil of a starter when the
burner circuit exceeds the switch’s electrical rating.
OR
Pump
COMMON
8
N.C. CONT.
7
N.O. CONT.
6
5
GND
Securely tighten all electrical conductors
to terminals
SEE PUMP
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
12 456
HIGH
LEVEL
PROBE
ALARM
CONTROL
LOW
LEVEL
PROBE
LINE (3 PHASE)
LOAD

STEP 4 - Testing
Standby Range Operation:
7
a. Turn on the electric power to the boiler. The pump should go
on and the burner must remain off.
b. The boiler should begin to fill with water. As the water
level rises in the sight glass, the burner should turn on
and then the pump should turn off.
If the burner does not turn on or pump turn off at appropriate levels, immediately turn off the boiler and make
the necessary corrections.
c. Blow down the control when the water in the boiler is at
its normal level and the burner is on. Slowly open the
upper then the lower blow-down valves and observe the
water level fall in the sight glass. Close the valves (lower
first then upper) after verifying that the pump contacts
have closed and the burner shuts off. If this does not
happen, immediately shut off the boiler, correct the
problem and retest.
IMPORTANT: Follow the boiler manufacturer’s start-up and operating instructions along with all applicable
codes and ordinances.
This control is factory calibrated for specific level settings as shown on page 2 in the "Operation" section.
The following testing procedure is only meant to
serve as a verification of proper operating sequence.
If the burner comes on, immediately turn the boiler off and make the
necessary corrections.
Failure to follow this warning could cause an explosion or fire and
result in property damage, personal injury or death.
WARNING
To prevent serious personal injury from steam pipe blow down, connect a
drain pipe to the control opening to avoid exposure to steam discharge.
Failure to follow this caution could cause personal injury.
CAUTION
INSTALLATION COMPLETE

MAINTENANCE
BLOW DOWN PROCEDURE:
SCHEDULE:
Blow down control as follows when boiler is
in operation.
• Daily if operating pressure is above 15 psi.
• Weekly if operating pressure is below 15 psi.
NOTE
More frequent blow-down may be necessary
due to dirty boiler water and/or local codes.
• Remove head assembly and inspect water
side components annually. Replace head
assembly if any of the internal components are
worn, corroded or damaged or if control no longer
operates properly.
• Inspect the float chamber and equalizing piping
annually. Remove all sediment and debris.
NOTE
The control may need to be inspected and
cleaned more frequently on systems where there
is the potential of excessive scale or sludge
build-up. This includes systems:
• With high raw water make-up
• With no condensate return
• With untreated boiler water
• Where significant changes have been
made to the boiler-water chemical
treatment process
• With oil in the boiler water
Replace head mechanism every 5 years.
More frequent replacement may be required when
severe conditions exist.
Replacement parts are available from your local
authorized McDonnell & Miller Distributor.
The use of parts or components other than those
manufactured by McDonnell & Miller will void all
warranties and may affect the units compliance with
listings or regulating agencies.
CAUTION
To prevent serious personal injury from steam
pipe blow down, connect a drain pipe to the
control opening to avoid exposure to steam
discharge.
Failure to follow this caution could cause
personal injury.
When blowing down a control at pressure, the blow
down valves should be opened slowly. The piping
needs to be warmed up and stagnant water in the
drain piping needs to be pushed out. Suddenly
opening a blow down valve causes steam to
condense, which can create water hammer.
Damage to components can occur when water
hammer occurs due to improper blow down piping.
For these reasons, McDonnell & Miller recommends
a dual valve blow-down system for each control.
Blow down the control when the water in the boiler
is at its normal level and the burner is on.
NOTE: Refer to page 2 for switch operating points.
• Open upper valve (#1)
• Slowly open the lower valve (#2)
• Water in the sight glass should lower.
• As the water in the sight glass lowers, the
pump should turn on.
• As the water continues to lower in the sight
glass, the burner should turn off.
• Slowly close the lower valve (#2).
• Close the upper valve (#1)
• The water level in the sight glass should rise, first
turning on the burner and then turning off the pump.
NOTE: On manual reset models, the reset button
will need to be pressed after the water level has
been restored before the burner will operate.
NOTE
If this sequence of operation does not occur as
described, immediately close all the valves, turn off the
boiler and correct the problem. Inspection/cleaning of
the float mechanism may be required to determine why
the control was not working properly. Retest the control
after the problem has been identified and corrected.
Valve #1
Valve #2
Xylem Inc.
8200 N. Austin Avenue
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
Phone: (847) 966-3700
Fax: (847) 965-8379
www.xyleminc.com/brands/mcdonnellmiller
McDonnell & Miller is a trademark of Xylem Inc. or one of its subsidiaries.
© 2012 Xylem Inc. MM-221G August 2012 Part No. 210343