2 houses one well. They would like to power the well from both houses. They do not want a well house service. A transfer switch at the pump would allow them to select house 1,off,or house 2. My question is there any problems ( NEC or design ) with the EGC's bonded together or should they be isolated.
A well of a question
- Thread starter wyatt
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scwirenut
Senior Member
- Location
- Sumter, South Carolina
Re: A well of a question
using your method they have to be bonded, otherwise one EG wouldn't be used at all providing no fault protection for that specific circuit, may I recommend a cheaper, safer method. install two receptacles side bv side labeling them, one from each home, attach a cord to the pump pressure switch. this way anyone servicing it could never make a mistake.
using your method they have to be bonded, otherwise one EG wouldn't be used at all providing no fault protection for that specific circuit, may I recommend a cheaper, safer method. install two receptacles side bv side labeling them, one from each home, attach a cord to the pump pressure switch. this way anyone servicing it could never make a mistake.
mikeames
Senior Member
- Location
- Gaithersburg MD
- Occupation
- Teacher - Master Electrician - 2023 NEC
Re: A well of a question
Remember, Make something idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot. They just wont unplug it. HA
bdarnell
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis, IN
- Occupation
- Retired Engineer
Re: A well of a question
I just wonder who in the family gets to run out in the cold to flip the switch before he/she can take a shower ?? :roll:
I just wonder who in the family gets to run out in the cold to flip the switch before he/she can take a shower ??
:roll:Re: A well of a question
Use a remote controlled ATS...put a DT toggle in each house...but seriously, how will that work, I assume the water is always going to each house? There will be no reason to flip it.
That sounds like a weird setup, but hey, the customer is always right!
Use a remote controlled ATS...put a DT toggle in each house...but seriously, how will that work, I assume the water is always going to each house? There will be no reason to flip it.
That sounds like a weird setup, but hey, the customer is always right!
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: A well of a question
I have it! Run a wire from phase A in one house, and a wire from phase B in the other. Now they'll share the expense.
I have it! Run a wire from phase A in one house, and a wire from phase B in the other. Now they'll share the expense.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2023
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: A well of a question
Larry: Brilliant!
What next?
Larry: Brilliant!
What next?
frenchelectrican
Senior Member
- Location
- Nord'est Wisconsin et Paris France
Re: A well of a question
Quoted by Larry:
but really in moot point is if you set up a "reversed" transfer switch with alternating relay to run the power source evenly much as it can.
i dont know how it can work out on this one i haven't see this set up for long time
Merci, Marc
Quoted by Larry:
that is nice idea but sound like some kind crazy 3 way set up to me
but really in moot point is if you set up a "reversed" transfer switch with alternating relay to run the power source evenly much as it can.
i dont know how it can work out on this one i haven't see this set up for long time
Merci, Marc
Re: A well of a question
The two H.O.'s are family. the both are biulding cabins up in the mountains. I think the deal is that when one family is up they will put the swithch in the house position. to me looks like a fight wating to happen. But they want the cheapest way to get this to work.
The two H.O.'s are family. the both are biulding cabins up in the mountains. I think the deal is that when one family is up they will put the swithch in the house position. to me looks like a fight wating to happen. But they want the cheapest way to get this to work.
B
bthielen
Guest
Re: A well of a question
How much water do they figure they'll use? If they think the electrical expense of running the well pump will be such an issue that they need to divide the bill, wouldn't it be better to just install meters to record the amount of water used per each and the total power consumption of the well pump?
One meter on the electricity supplied by one home to record the power consumption and one water meter in each home to record the gallons consumption. Then divide the electrical cost baseed on usage.
This could also provide a means to record usage over the long haul and be used to divide the maintenance costs of the well if this is such an issue.
The alternative is to open the wallet and drill a second well. Then, problem solved.
Bob
How much water do they figure they'll use? If they think the electrical expense of running the well pump will be such an issue that they need to divide the bill, wouldn't it be better to just install meters to record the amount of water used per each and the total power consumption of the well pump?
One meter on the electricity supplied by one home to record the power consumption and one water meter in each home to record the gallons consumption. Then divide the electrical cost baseed on usage.
This could also provide a means to record usage over the long haul and be used to divide the maintenance costs of the well if this is such an issue.
The alternative is to open the wallet and drill a second well. Then, problem solved.
Bob
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: A well of a question
I think we are all looking at this bas-ackwards. It sounds to me like the plumbing is set up to allow the single pump to supply water to both houses at the same time. The only question is who pays for the electricity to run the pump. I mean if I had one of the two units, and if I were there and the other family were not there, I might be tempted to switch the pump to their side, so they can pay for supplying my water.
Seriously, though, a simple solution is all that is needed here. I agree with Steve. I like the idea of separate pumps, separate plumbing, and separate branch circuits.
I think we are all looking at this bas-ackwards. It sounds to me like the plumbing is set up to allow the single pump to supply water to both houses at the same time. The only question is who pays for the electricity to run the pump. I mean if I had one of the two units, and if I were there and the other family were not there, I might be tempted to switch the pump to their side, so they can pay for supplying my water.
Seriously, though, a simple solution is all that is needed here. I agree with Steve. I like the idea of separate pumps, separate plumbing, and separate branch circuits.
sandsnow
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern California
Re: A well of a question
I think one person needs to pay for the power and then put water meters on each line. Figure out how much kw per GPM and do the math.
Having both houses connected to the pump through a xfr/sw caould be made legal with proper disconnecting means required in or around 225.31. You would be treating the well as a seperate structure.
I think one person needs to pay for the power and then put water meters on each line. Figure out how much kw per GPM and do the math.
Having both houses connected to the pump through a xfr/sw caould be made legal with proper disconnecting means required in or around 225.31. You would be treating the well as a seperate structure.
B
bthielen
Guest
Re: A well of a question
Is there enough room in one existing well casing to accommodate this solution?
Bob
Is there enough room in one existing well casing to accommodate this solution?
Bob
mikeames
Senior Member
- Location
- Gaithersburg MD
- Occupation
- Teacher - Master Electrician - 2023 NEC
Re: A well of a question
How about a metered service to the well, and they divide the bill 50/50 problem solved.
How about a metered service to the well, and they divide the bill 50/50 problem solved.
B
bthielen
Guest
Re: A well of a question
Sandsnow got in ahead of me. The solution I was asking about was stated by Charlie b. That is, using two separate pumps. I'm assuming this is a well with a submersible pump.
I do believe the same as Charlie that these two households want to share a well but not split the cost 50/50 rather, they wish to pay their individual share of the operating cost. As far as maintenance and installation, I don't know what they want but realizing their concern about the small cost of running the well pump, my guess is they would be equally concerned about these other costs and want to equitably share them as well. This would mean that the percent use of the pump would translate into a percent responsibility for maintaining and installing.
Bob
Sandsnow got in ahead of me. The solution I was asking about was stated by Charlie b. That is, using two separate pumps. I'm assuming this is a well with a submersible pump.
I do believe the same as Charlie that these two households want to share a well but not split the cost 50/50 rather, they wish to pay their individual share of the operating cost. As far as maintenance and installation, I don't know what they want but realizing their concern about the small cost of running the well pump, my guess is they would be equally concerned about these other costs and want to equitably share them as well. This would mean that the percent use of the pump would translate into a percent responsibility for maintaining and installing.
Bob
Re: A well of a question
why not do this? 1 person pays 75% of the $1000 dollar insulation cost and the other pay the power or something like that it will save them both money in the long run. It would save them both a substantial up front cost and make your life easier.
Disclaimer: I'm just an engineer this may make too much sense for normal people to understand.
why not do this? 1 person pays 75% of the $1000 dollar insulation cost and the other pay the power or something like that it will save them both money in the long run. It would save them both a substantial up front cost and make your life easier.
Disclaimer: I'm just an engineer this may make too much sense for normal people to understand.
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