Downhole water pump

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leethornton

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We have a situation in which a flexible cable feeding a downhole water pump (2 wire without a ground) was written up as an NEC violation by an inspector (ungrounded machinery).
I can't find this addressed in the code book anywhere.
Does a submerged downhole pump require a ground?
 
leethornton said:
We have a situation in which a flexible cable feeding a downhole water pump (2 wire without a ground) was written up as an NEC violation by an inspector (ungrounded machinery).
I can't find this addressed in the code book anywhere.
Does a submerged downhole pump require a ground?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what a downhole pump is -- I am guessing it is a sump pump. Regardless, the code will not address the grounding for each particular piece of equipment. If the pump has any metal parts that can become energized than it would need to be grounded.

Is this pump UL approved with a 2 wire cord? If that is the case I can't see where the inspector can turn it down. I am assuming the pump is listed for the purpose.
 
Grounding of motors is addressed in Part XIII of Article 430.

If the motor is a listed double insulated motor it is not required to be grounded.

the last sentence of 430.241 states:

Insulation, isolation, or guarding are suitable alternatives to grounding of motors under certain conditions.

Chris
 
If the submersible pump is suspended with a metallic pipe, then the motor can be bonded via the metal pipe, if the pipe is bonded at the top.
Newer submersible motors have a green EGC to connect to a EGC.
 
brantmacga said:
two wire pumps w/o egc are still in production.
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I've never seen 2w, 1ph submersible. All the ones I've seen have three CCC. The capacitor is in the pump control box.

How do they get a 2W motor to turn - put a switch (or capacitor) down at the pump?

carl
 
coulter said:
I've never seen 2w, 1ph submersible. All the ones I've seen have three CCC. The capacitor is in the pump control box.

How do they get a 2W motor to turn - put a switch (or capacitor) down at the pump?

carl
Click to expand...


Yes, You can get submersible pumps in two wire or three wire, three wire you need a control box, I'm not sure of the advantages of why you would want one over the other...
 
stickboy1375 said:
Yes, You can get submersible pumps in two wire or three wire, three wire you need a control box, I'm not sure of the advantages of why you would want one over the other...
Click to expand...


Are we talking sump pumps or well pumps. I have never seen a sump pump with 3 wire and a controller. The 3 wires that was being talked about originally was a grounded cord vs a nongrounded cord. At least that is what I thought
 
To me a 'down hole pump' is a submersible pump for domestic or irrigation water.

Oil-Type-Deep-Well-Submersible-Pump-95QJ-75G-.jpg
 
I took it to be a submersible pump.

Well, mine is a 4", 1.5hp at 250'. Probably weighs 75(?)lbs. If the bearings (bushings?) don't wear out - sand in the water, it could be good for 20 years. It is amazing well sealed up - I think the windings are potted. I don't know how one would seal a capacitor compartment. It cost about $800 and probably $400 to have someone come with a boom truck to pull and replace it. I can't imagine why anyone would want one with a switch or a capacitor at the pump.

But, then again, I am definitely out of my area of expertise.

The other submersibles I am familiar with are service station dispenser pumps - 1/3hp to 1.5hp. Those are 3.5"(?) - they will fit (drop through) a piece of 4" pipe - threaded tubing. They are also 3W. The capacitor is in the head at the top (outside) of the tank. I am disgustingly familiar with these. I changed/installed a lot.

carl
 
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