What is a likely cause for a hydropneumatic tank that causes the pump to cycle on and off?

A hydropneumatic tank is designed to maintain pressure in a water system by compressing air at the top of the tank, which pushes water out when needed. If the tank becomes waterlogged, it means that the air cushion is diminished or nonexistent, leading to a loss of pressure regulation. An air leak would exacerbate this situation, allowing the air to escape and preventing proper pressurization. As a result, the pump will continuously cycle on and off in a bid to restore pressure, which can happen frequently if the system is unable to maintain a steady flow because of the inadequate air supply in the tank.

In contrast, the other choices do not directly address the root cause of pump cycling in the same way. A pump functioning at full capacity or being too large for the tank implies other potential issues but does not specifically relate to cycling due to pressure loss as a result of a waterlogged condition. Similarly, a clogged filter might reduce water flow but would not necessarily cause this specific cycling issue, which is fundamentally tied to the tank's ability to maintain proper air pressure.