Should a submersible water well be bonded to the utility grounding system?

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kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Unless it is pretty old well chances are it is non metallic well casing, top 5-6 feet plus whatever is out of the ground might be metallic, especially if it is a pitless adapter assembly.

The pump motor housing and any especially any short length of well casing at the upper end still need to be connected to the EGC.
 

11bgrunt

Pragmatist
Location
TEXAS
Occupation
Electric Utility Reliability Coordinator
Unless it is pretty old well chances are it is non metallic well casing, top 5-6 feet plus whatever is out of the ground might be metallic, especially if it is a pitless adapter assembly.
dhttps://xenforo.mikeholt.com/threads/should-a-submersible-water-well-be-bonded-to-the-utility-grounding-system.2554148/ter

In Central Texas, I have not seen a pitless adapter. Pipe connected to pump is same pipe plumbed away from the well head.
 

jim dungar

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Wisconsin
Occupation
PE (Retired) - Power Systems
There is a little Delta brand 277-480 arrester connected at the breaker panel serving the control.
The Delta secondary bank is center tap grounded. 120-120-208 HL. 240V P-P.
The SPD addition will probably be a hard sell since the well man added the Delta brand arrester.

Is the installed SPD rated for the application?
It needs to be designed for delta connected system with a center tap. It sounds like what was provided may be for a wye system.

Is the SPD still functioning?
SPD have a limited life, that is why the 'better' ones include some type of failure indication, and the most expensive have replaceable parts.
 

11bgrunt

Pragmatist
Location
TEXAS
Occupation
Electric Utility Reliability Coordinator
Is the installed SPD rated for the application?
It needs to be designed for delta connected system with a center tap. It sounds like what was provided may be for a wye system.

Is the SPD still functioning?
SPD have a limited life, that is why the 'better' ones include some type of failure indication, and the most expensive have replaceable parts.

I suspect the installed arrester was what was available.
A well man might see wye, delta, 240 and 480 all about the same when protection is considered.
In most cases the arrester will be in pieces and breaker tripped as the only indicator for this type.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
dhttps://xenforo.mikeholt.com/threads/should-a-submersible-water-well-be-bonded-to-the-utility-grounding-system.2554148/ter

In Central Texas, I have not seen a pitless adapter. Pipe connected to pump is same pipe plumbed away from the well head.
Around here is is a must, unless it is a seasonal use well. Water outlet from the pitless adapter is 5-6 feet below grade where it hopefully will never freeze.
 
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