Draper 230V Submersible Clean Water Pump with Float Switch, 108L/min, 250W

The Draper SWP120A is the entry-level submersible pump in the Draper clean water range, designed for DIY users, homeowners, and garden enthusiasts who need reliable, automatic submersible pumping without the cost and complexity of a professional-grade unit. Delivering 108 litres per minute from a compact 250W motor, it handles garden irrigation, water feature supply, cellar and basement drainage, and general domestic water transfer quietly, economically, and with minimum fuss.

At just 3.8kg with a stepped 25–32mm hose adaptor, a float switch that cuts power automatically when water levels drop, and a 10-metre cable with approved plug ready to connect to a standard mains socket, the SWP120A is as straightforward to use as any submersible pump available. Thermal overload protection safeguards the motor for longer service life, and the compact body is easy to lower into position in garden ponds, water butts, cellars, and sumps. For occasional to regular domestic pumping tasks where simplicity, economy, and automatic protection matter most, the SWP120A delivers everything that's needed.

Key Features & Benefits

108L/min from Just 250W – Exceptional Efficiency

The SWP120A's most impressive quality is the flow it achieves relative to its power consumption. At 108 litres per minute from a 250W motor, it delivers more than the 350W WBP2A water butt pump (40L/min) and approaches the output of much larger units at a fraction of the running cost. For a domestic user running the pump daily through a watering season, 250W is economical – approximately the same power draw as a bright light bulb.

Float Switch – Fully Automatic Operation

The float switch monitors water level and automatically cuts power when it drops below the minimum safe operating depth, protecting the pump from dry running without any manual intervention. For a garden user who wants to start the pump and get on with other tasks, or connect it to a timer for automatic irrigation cycles, this automatic protection is the feature that makes unattended operation practical and safe.

Thermal Overload Protection

Automatic thermal overload protection cuts motor power if temperature exceeds safe limits during sustained operation, providing a second layer of motor protection alongside the float switch. For a pump used regularly in garden and domestic applications, this safeguards the motor and extends service life.

6.5m Maximum Head – Right for Domestic Use

A 6.5-metre maximum head height covers the typical requirements of domestic garden irrigation, water feature supply, and cellar drainage. Pumping from a submerged position in a water butt or pond to a surface-level hose connection, up to a raised planter or wall-mounted irrigation line, or out of a cellar to an outside drain all fall well within the 6.5m range.

Stepped 25–32mm Hose Adaptor – Flexible Connection

The supplied stepped adaptor fits both 25mm (1 inch) and 32mm (1¼ inch) bore hose connections – the two most common sizes for garden irrigation and domestic drainage – without needing a separate purchase. This built-in flexibility suits the varied hose fittings found in typical domestic garden setups.

32mm Outlet and 3mm Particle Tolerance

The 32mm outlet aperture provides a good bore for the SWP120A's 108L/min output, and the 3mm maximum particle diameter handles the light sediment and fine organic particles typical of garden pond water, water butt water, and domestic drainage applications.

Lightweight at Just 3.8kg

The SWP120A is the lightest pump in the Draper submersible range – easy to lower into a pond or water butt, retrieve for cleaning, and store away between uses. At 3.8kg, one hand is all that's needed for most positioning and retrieval tasks.

10-Metre Cable with Approved Plug

A 10-metre cable and approved mains plug provide plug-and-go convenience for most domestic garden layouts. Connect to an outdoor-rated RCD-protected socket and the pump is operational immediately – no wiring or adaptor purchases required.

Lowest Running Cost in the Submersible Range

At 250W, the SWP120A has the lowest power consumption of any pump in the Draper submersible lineup. For daily irrigation use across a full growing season, this translates to meaningfully lower electricity costs compared to 400W, 550W, or 1,300W alternatives.

Full Specification

What's in the Box

• Draper SWP120A Submersible Clean Water Pump
• Stepped 25–32mm hose adaptor
• 10m cable with approved mains plug

Who Is the Draper SWP120A For?

Home Gardeners & Irrigation Users – Supply a garden drip irrigation system, sprinkler network, or hosepipe from a pond, water butt, or storage tank. The float switch makes it safe to run unattended while you tend to other jobs, and 250W keeps running costs low across a full season.

Water Feature & Pond Owners – Power a garden waterfall, fountain, or ornamental feature; fill and top up water features between rainfall; or partially drain a pond for cleaning. At 3.8kg, it's light enough to lower in and lift out without effort.

Cellar & Basement Drainage – Clear standing water from a cellar, basement, or undercroft following a leak or rainfall ingress. The float switch automatically stops the pump when the water has been cleared, and at 250W it can run from most circuit types without tripping a breaker.

Allotment & Kitchen Garden Irrigation – A lightweight, portable pump for supplying irrigation water from an on-site water butt or storage tank to growing beds and polytunnels. Easy to carry between plots and store securely between visits.

DIY & General Domestic Use – Drain a paddling pool, empty a water feature for winter, clear a flooded outhouse, or supply an outdoor tap from a storage tank. The SWP120A handles all standard domestic pumping tasks without over-engineering the solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the SWP120A compare to the Draper SWP200? Both are submersible clean water pumps with float switches, 10-metre cables, and thermal overload protection. The SWP120A (250W, 108L/min, 6.5m head, 3.8kg) is the lighter, more economical choice for domestic and DIY use – lower running costs, lighter weight, and sufficient output for garden irrigation, water features, and general home drainage. The SWP200 (550W, 191L/min, 9.5m head, 4.5kg) delivers 77% more flow at a higher head for demanding irrigation supply, large pond drainage, and high-volume water transfer. For most homeowners and garden users, the SWP120A is ample; for high-demand applications, the SWP200 offers more headroom.

How does the SWP120A compare to the WBP2A water butt pump? The WBP2A (350W, 40L/min) is designed specifically for water butts, supplied with a swan neck extension for fitting through a butt lid and an external float switch. The SWP120A (250W, 108L/min) is a general-purpose submersible delivering more than twice the flow at lower power, suitable for ponds, storage tanks, cellars, and open water sources as well as butts. If your primary use is emptying a water butt via its opening, the WBP2A's swan neck is purpose-designed for that; for broader submersible pumping across multiple applications, the SWP120A is more versatile.

Is 108L/min enough for garden irrigation? For most domestic garden irrigation setups, yes comfortably. A typical drip irrigation zone draws 10–30L/min; a single garden sprinkler 10–15L/min. The SWP120A can supply several simultaneous zones or maintain good flow to a medium-to-large garden irrigation network. For very large gardens with multiple high-flow zones running simultaneously, the SWP200 or SWP150IFS offer more capacity.

Can I use it in a cellar without mains power at the cellar level? The 10-metre cable provides enough reach to route from a submerged position in a flooded cellar to a mains socket at ground level in most UK properties. Always ensure the socket is positioned above the flood water level, is protected by an RCD, and that no part of the electrical connection is exposed to water.

What water types can it handle? The SWP120A is rated for clean water with a maximum particle size of 3mm – suitable for garden pond water, water butt water, rainwater, and lightly silted drainage water. It is not suitable for heavily dirty water, silt, or larger debris. For those conditions, the SWP420 dirty water pump is the appropriate choice.