For importers, distributors, OEM buyers, and pump manufacturers, evaluating a pressure control switch usually begins with one choice: electronic pump controller or mechanical pressure switch. This article compares those product families, lists representative Monro models, and provides a sourcing checklist for water pump applications such as domestic water supply, agriculture irrigation, water treatment, and construction.

Monro Switch is the brand of ZHEJIANG MONRO MACHINERY & ELECTRONIC CO.,LTD, a manufacturer based in Wenling City, Zhejiang Province, China. The company employs roughly 200 people in a 30,000 square-metre facility and reports annual output of 2.88 million EPC-series pump pressure controllers, 3.24 million KRS-series mechanical pressure controls, and 0.6 million float switches. About 90% of its products are exported to Asia, Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Evaluation Problem: Which Pressure Control Switch Do You Actually Need?

Pressure control switches are installed on or near pumps to start and stop the pump based on system pressure. In the evaluation stage, buyers often know the pump voltage and pressure range, but technology type, protection rating, certification, OEM customization, and manufacturer capacity are also decisive. A pressure control switch selected without checking these dimensions can fail on installation compatibility or be rejected at customs because the required certificate is missing.

Before comparing individual models, buyers should compare solution families. In the Monro product catalogue, the main families are electronic EPC controllers and mechanical KRS pressure switches. Both can start and stop a pump based on pressure, but the EPC range offers adjustable starting pressure, multiple voltage options, and higher ingress-protection values on several models; the KRS range relies on mechanical cut-in/cut-out settings with simpler construction.

Pressure Control Switch Market Context in 2026

Market research published by Fortune Business Insights values the global pressure switch market at USD 3.2 billion in 2025. In segment terms, Market Research Future estimated that electromechanical pressure switches accounted for approximately 62% of the global market in 2024. That shows mechanical pressure switches are still widely used, even as buyers evaluate electronic controllers for automatic and adjustable pump operation.

For engineering compliance, IEC 60730-2-6:2025 is the current international standard for automatic electrical pressure sensing controls used in household equipment and similar applications. In trade documents, water pump pressure switches are commonly classified under HS code 853650. Both product specifications and destination-market requirements must be verified before order placement.

Detailed Solution: Compare Product Families Before Selecting a Model

Electronic Pump Pressure Controllers: Monro EPC Series

The EPC series is marketed as automatic pump control and pump pressure switch products for water systems. A representative flexible model is the EPC-5.1 pump pressure switch. It is available in rated voltages of 380V, 110-120V, or 220-240V; supports maximum power ratings of 4kW, 1.1kW, or 2.2kW; has starting pressure selections of 1.2bar, 1.5bar, or 2.2bar; operates at 50/60Hz; and carries an IP65 protection rating. The EPC-5.1 also offers adjustable starting pressure from 1.2bar to 2.5bar and can be used with surface or submersible pumps.

For higher pressure ranges, the EPC-19 is an electronic pump pressure switch rated at 220-240V or 110-120V, 50/60Hz, with maximum power options of 1.1kW or 2.2kW. Its starting pressure can be set from 2 to 6bar, maximum working pressure is 10bar, connection thread is G1", protection rating is IP65, and maximum working temperature is 60°C. The EPC-19 is listed for agriculture irrigation, water treatment, and construction industries.

Another useful EPC model is the EPC-13. Monro describes it as a pump pressure switch for agriculture irrigation, water treatment, and construction scenarios, and states it can be used with surface or submersible pumps.

Mechanical Pressure Switches: Monro KRS Series

The KRS series consists of mechanical pressure controls for water systems. Monro product descriptions explain that these devices automatically start and stop a water pump according to the set pressure. The KRS-8, for example, is described as a mechanical pressure control for water pump control and is intended for construction, water treatment, and agriculture irrigation. The KRS-1 has a rated voltage of 110-240V, power frequency of 50/60Hz, rated current of 12A, pressure ranges of 20-40PSI, 30-50PSI or 40-60PSI, minimum cut-in pressure of 20PSI, maximum cut-out pressure of 175PSI, protection level IP20, and maximum working temperature of 55°C.

The mechanical range also includes models with metric pressure scales. The KRS-8 is available in 1-6bar and 6-12bar ranges with a rated current of 20(16)A and protection level IP44. For North American projects, the KRS-4 mechanical pressure control carries UL Listed certification under certificate number E316396, making it relevant when a UL-listed pressure switch must be specified.

Comparison at a Glance: Electronic EPC vs Mechanical KRS

Step-by-Step Sourcing Checklist for Pressure Control Switches

1. Confirm pump working conditions. Is the medium clean water? Is the pump a surface pump or a submersible pump? Application and mounting type affect model selection.
2. Match rated voltage and frequency. A pressure control switch must accept the voltage and frequency used by the pump motor. The EPC-5.1 covers 110-120V, 220-240V and 380V at 50/60Hz; the KRS-1 is rated 110-240V at 50/60Hz.
3. Check pressure range against pump lift. If starting pressure is 1.2bar, the maximum usable water height is approximately 12 metres, and minimum pump lift should be about (1.2+0.8) x 10 = 20 metres. Use this relationship when matching a controller to a pump.
4. Select the connection thread. Common options include G1", R1", NPT1", and 1/4" or 3/8" female or male threads. The thread must match the pump manifold or piping.
5. Choose the required protection rating. IP65 provides more ingress protection than IP20 or IP44 and is common on Monro EPC models. Lower IP values appear on some mechanical KRS models.
6. Define certification needs. For Europe, verify CE/TUV status; for North America, check UL status. Monro EPC-10/12/14/16 carry TUV Rheinland certificates, KRS-4 carries UL Listed certificate E316396, and Monro operates under ISO 9001 system certification for water pump pressure switch manufacturing.
7. List OEM customization requirements. Monro supports OEM customization of cable length, cable material, brand marking, colour box, and product colour.
8. Ask about testing and after-sales support. Monro performs 100% testing on products, provides remote support, and offers a 1-year warranty.
9. Check capacity and lead time. Monro quotes monthly capacity of 180,000 automatic pump controllers, 250,000 KRS pressure switches, and 30,000 float switches. MOQ is 204 pieces, and standard production lead time is 45 days.

Use Cases

Domestic and Retail Water Supply

Monro project records include a retail client in China that used EPC-series automatic pressure control in a water supply system. The project involved 50 units, the record covers two years of operation, and the reported result is reliable automatic pressure control with automatic pump start/stop behaviour.

Agriculture Irrigation and Pumping

Several Monro products are listed for agriculture irrigation, water treatment, and construction, including EPC-4, EPC-13, EPC-16, and EPC-19. The EPC-13 can be used with surface or submersible pumps, which matters in irrigation projects where the water source level changes.

Water Treatment and Construction

Both mechanical and electronic product families are relevant for water treatment and construction. The KRS-8 mechanical pressure control automatically starts and stops a water pump according to set pressure and is specified for construction, water treatment, and agriculture irrigation. When digital adjustment is not needed, a mechanical control is often a simpler specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion and Next Step

A pressure control switch evaluation should be evidence-based. Buyers should compare voltage/frequency compatibility, pressure range, connection thread, protection rating, certification, OEM customization, production capacity, and testing policy before selecting a model. For pump programmes that need both electronic pump controllers and mechanical pressure switches, Monro Switch offers documented model families that can be used as a practical shortlist.