I am rewiring the service to an old well pump.the original well pump had only a 2p 30 amp fused disconnnect going to a pressure switch then directly to the motor with no overload protection the motor is a 1 hp. 240v.1 phase.my question is should i install a motor starter with overloads on the new installation? I am having trouble convincing the owner of the 30 year old well to spend the extra money for a motor starter.
WELL PUMP
- Thread starter jap2525
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Re: WELL PUMP
Why wouldn't the pump have integral motor overload protection?
Why wouldn't the pump have integral motor overload protection?
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: WELL PUMP
I'm with infinity on this one. Well pump motors have their own overload protection built in. No wonder you're having trouble convincing the homeowner to add a motor starter.
I'm with infinity on this one. Well pump motors have their own overload protection built in. No wonder you're having trouble convincing the homeowner to add a motor starter.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: WELL PUMP
If it's not broke don't fix it.They have self protection from overheating
If it's not broke don't fix it.They have self protection from overheating
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: WELL PUMP
Not all well pump motors have thermal overload protection. You have to check the mfgs instructions.
It would be a simple matter to replace the fuses with ones dual element time delay sized at 135% or so of the motor FLA.
Not all well pump motors have thermal overload protection. You have to check the mfgs instructions.
It would be a simple matter to replace the fuses with ones dual element time delay sized at 135% or so of the motor FLA.
Re: WELL PUMP
If the well pump needs overload protection the motor starter should be supplied by the well contractor that supplied the motor. The pump is in the well when the electrician wires it I wonder how he could read the name plate.
I have a more important question for you. Did you bond the well casing to the egc?
Also did you install the branch circut wiring all the way from the service panel to the well pump? Or did the the well contractor put the wiring in the trench (witout a license)?
I have seen well trench wiring pulled in plastic water pipe. But the electrician still connected the branch circuit from the panel to the pressure sw. I wonder why a electrician would be willing to give there work away to people that are not qualified.
I stoped well people from doing wiring in well trenches in 2 towns. WOW you should have heared the screaming.
Romeo
If the well pump needs overload protection the motor starter should be supplied by the well contractor that supplied the motor. The pump is in the well when the electrician wires it I wonder how he could read the name plate.
I have a more important question for you. Did you bond the well casing to the egc?
Also did you install the branch circut wiring all the way from the service panel to the well pump? Or did the the well contractor put the wiring in the trench (witout a license)?
I have seen well trench wiring pulled in plastic water pipe. But the electrician still connected the branch circuit from the panel to the pressure sw. I wonder why a electrician would be willing to give there work away to people that are not qualified.
I stoped well people from doing wiring in well trenches in 2 towns. WOW you should have heared the screaming.
Romeo
Re: WELL PUMP
The motor and pump sit on top of the well,it is not submerged there is no overload protection on this motor.It is bolted directly to the pump.It used to have a fusible disconnect with 2 30amp fuses feeding it directly through the pressure switch.Now that I have changed it out to a breaker panel I am unsure of wether I need the motor starter with ol protection or wether the new breaker 2p 20a or 2p 30a would satisfy as the ol protection.The fla amperage at 230v is 6.6 amps.This is probably a 3/4 hp motor
The motor and pump sit on top of the well,it is not submerged there is no overload protection on this motor.It is bolted directly to the pump.It used to have a fusible disconnect with 2 30amp fuses feeding it directly through the pressure switch.Now that I have changed it out to a breaker panel I am unsure of wether I need the motor starter with ol protection or wether the new breaker 2p 20a or 2p 30a would satisfy as the ol protection.The fla amperage at 230v is 6.6 amps.This is probably a 3/4 hp motor
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: WELL PUMP
Look at the motor nameplate.
Is it marked "thermally protected"?
If yes, you are OK.
If not, then either you need motor running overload protection, probably sized at 115% of the motor FLA.
Depends on the motor service factor.
Is this a jet pump?
Look at the motor nameplate.
Is it marked "thermally protected"?
If yes, you are OK.
If not, then either you need motor running overload protection, probably sized at 115% of the motor FLA.
Depends on the motor service factor.
Is this a jet pump?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: WELL PUMP
The rules for motor overloads are 430.40. Every motor requires overloads. See the 4 types listed in 430.32
The rules for motor overloads are 430.40. Every motor requires overloads. See the 4 types listed in 430.32
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: WELL PUMP
I'm still shaking my head, guys. I have not seen a well pump, other than large commercial well pumps, that did not have thermal overload protection built in.
I'm still shaking my head, guys. I have not seen a well pump, other than large commercial well pumps, that did not have thermal overload protection built in.
Re: WELL PUMP
3-wire + ground single phase submersilbe well pumps that use a capactitor start capacitor run control box with overloads for both the main and auxiliary windings. I know of a mobile home park that has a bunch of spare control boxes with overloads relays because the well service people insist on replacing the whole box with the pump rather than just the pump and starting relay.
2-wire + ground single phase submersible will pumps have self contained overload relay and starting relay.
3-wire + ground single phase submersilbe well pumps that use a capactitor start capacitor run control box with overloads for both the main and auxiliary windings. I know of a mobile home park that has a bunch of spare control boxes with overloads relays because the well service people insist on replacing the whole box with the pump rather than just the pump and starting relay.
2-wire + ground single phase submersible will pumps have self contained overload relay and starting relay.
paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: WELL PUMP
I heard it put quite well in a motor class I went to some years back. While they were arguing whether or not you needed thermal OL's on small motors an old timer finally stood up and said, "You're right. We don't need them. Small motors only cause small fires."
I like to use that line, or a derivation of it, when trying to relay to the homeowner/customer the importance of doing things right. Another question I ask is, "Well, do you have good fire insurance? If so, we can leave it this way." They usually get the point.
I heard it put quite well in a motor class I went to some years back. While they were arguing whether or not you needed thermal OL's on small motors an old timer finally stood up and said, "You're right. We don't need them. Small motors only cause small fires."
I like to use that line, or a derivation of it, when trying to relay to the homeowner/customer the importance of doing things right. Another question I ask is, "Well, do you have good fire insurance? If so, we can leave it this way." They usually get the point.
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