Our well pump motor was recently changed (it was making a huge racket, burning up switches one after the other etc. The bearings were going out). Smooth sound, no more burnt switches, water pressure is fine (the switch is a 40/60).
Before that, there were no problem with it tripping a breaker, it was in a bad shape, but it worked (even if, as previously mentioned, it was burning through switches.)
Now, we noticed it tripping a breaker in the evening only (so far), sometimes multiple times in a row, sometimes not. We live in an old house, but have a brand new breaker box. The pump supplies this house and a small trailer where a couple of tenants live.
As far as electrical circuit configuration goes, we do not know whether or not the pump lives on its own breaker (a 20A single pole as far as I can tell) or shares it with something else. So far it doesn't seem like there is anything else on that breaker.
I'm thinking of sanding the hot wires going to the pump to get rid of the carbon deposit (they look pretty bad from that last burnt up switch) and getting a 30A single pole breaker to replace the 20A one. Is this a good idea? Any input is very appreciated.
Thanks.
EDIT 2: Possible solution?
According to my research, here's what should happen :
- Get some 12 gauge wire
- Get a 240V, 20A breaker
- Hook up the pump and only the pump to that breaker
Anybody care to comment? Also, why is it apparently a no-no to wire a jet pump to 115?
EDIT: Motor specs
Old motor:
- Volts: 115/230
- Amps: 13.0/6.5
- Max Load: 16.2/8.1
New motor:
- Volts: 115/230
- Amps: 12.4/6.2
- Max Load: 16.2/8.1
Best Answer
Was the motor replaced with the same size (horsepower, amperage, voltage) motor? What is the amperage and voltage listed on the motor's data plate? In many cases the motor plate will either list the size of the required breaker, or if not, the manufacturers website will have that information available. If you "had the motor changed" it might be best to call the company that changed it and report that the new motor is tripping the breaker, where the old one did not, and have them check for issues, since they should have verified that the new motor would work the same, or made any changes needed to support any change in the motor. If you changed it yourself, that's on you.
You should not replace the breaker with a larger breaker unless the new motor requires a larger breaker.
You should not replace the breaker with a larger breaker without ALSO replacing the wire with larger wire, suited to the size of the larger breaker, which should be suited to the size of the new motor. 20 amp, 12 gauge copper, minimum - 30 amp, 10 gauge copper, minimum.
Rather than "sanding the wires" you should (with the breaker off, of course) cut off the damaged ends of the wire, pull it a little further in, and strip the ends to get new undamaged wire. If this is not possible, consider replacing the wire, especially if it's fairly short run.
110V (single-pole breaker?) is rather abnormal for most well pump installations. One potential fix would be to re-wire for 220V operation if possible