Well Issue

[Richterfan]

Here is my dilemma,
I have a pump pit that is located 900 feet away from a house.
There is voltage across both leads, 240v and 125v to ground when disconnected. When I connect the leads to the pump controller, the 240v goes away but if I read between, (when connected) the 125v to ground is still present but not between the contacts on the controller.
Their is no load present (like something is shorting) and the breaker doesn’t trip at all.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated since I am baffled with this.



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[LarryFine]

I suggest using a tester that requires "real" power, like a solenoid tester, and not a voltmeter.

You could also try an incandescent bulb in parallel with your meter, but remember to use two matching bulbs in series for line-to-line measurements.

You could also use an incandescent bulb alone as a 120v tester, or two in series as a 240v tester.

 

[Richterfan]

I still don’t understand how I can have 240 then lose it once connected. It should be either I have it or I don’t or it should be shorted out. FYI it’s #2 the entire 900’. I will try connecting something 240 to see if it works but I still have no idea what the problem would be if I have 240 and #2 wire with a 8amp load.


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[ActionDave]

Their is no load present (like something is shorting) and the breaker doesn’t trip at all.

I don't know what you mean by this.

At any rate, everyone hopes the problem is not the pump. It often is though.

Put an amp meter on one of the wires going to the pump and see if there is any load. Check out at the well next.

 

[texie]

I still don’t understand how I can have 240 then lose it once connected. It should be either I have it or I don’t or it should be shorted out. FYI it’s #2 the entire 900’. I will try connecting something 240 to see if it works but I still have no idea what the problem would be if I have 240 and #2 wire with a 8amp load.


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You have damaged conductor or splice that will not carry load. As stated by others, your meter presents so little load it gives invalid results. Very common with underground runs. Hope you like to dig.

 

[gar]

190429-1531 EDT

Richterfan:

I really don't think you have an adequate understanding of electrical circuit theory, how to make measurements to ferret out the problem, and how to explain what you have done.

I like high impedance voltmeters, others don't, but you need to know how to interpret the readings and load the circuit.

Is your input source a 240 V center tapped transformer, power company? Assume yes. An unloaded good source with no load will usually read 120 V nominal +/-0.1 or 0.2 . If the actual reading is different than the nominal the two individual readings should be close as above.

At the end of some feeder or circuit with no load the results should be the same as at the main panel.

A 120 V 1500 W space heater provides about 10 A load when heated. This is a good test load. The impedance of the source will determine how much voltage change will occur when you apply this test load. At the end of a feeder or branch circuit this voltage change will be greater than at the source. Experience and judgement will tell you what to expect.

Play with measurements like these and tell us what are the results.

.

 

[ptonsparky]

You should have no voltage across closed contacts. Line 1 to Load 1 should not show VD when those contacts are closed. Same with Line 2 to Load 2, but both should read 120 to ground.

L1 to L2 & LD1 to LD2 should both show 240 when contacts are closed.

 

[augie47]

with the load "on" work your way back through the circuit..as texie states, somewhere there is likely a bad connection or bad contact. With the load on check at the source (breaker panel ).. if you still have 240 there the problem is between there and the pump.,

 

[Galt]

Thats alot of wire under the ground hope you find the bad spot.

 

[ptonsparky]

Thats alot of wire under the ground hope you find the bad spot.

Those can be found with the right tools.

 

[Cow]

I agree with the others.

Disconnect and isolate the wiring at the pump that goes back to the source. Use a Knopp or other solenoid tester and see what you get for voltage.

At 900', it wouldn't be surprising that someone used direct buried aluminum cable and one or more of the wires has an issue.

We locate, dig and repair this type of wiring all the time, especially right now in the irrigation season. It can be done, you just have to have the right tools and resources.