115 vs 230 125 feet distance

tomatolord

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 1, 2004
Messages
548
I have about 125 feet to go to a 1hp pump - I can go either convential 110 or a 220 plug.5

both outlet plugs are right next to each other - i will use the 220 from the dryer - we swithced to gas a many years ago.

I have not bought the wiring yet

the mfg says

115 is a 10 guage
220 is 14 gauge

the pump is pre-wired for 115.

should I go for 220 or 110?

tomatolord
 

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: 115 vs 230 125 feet distance

No question - if it's that easy, go with 220. Electric motors don't like voltage drops.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: 115 vs 230 125 feet distance

Operating the pump on 220 will be less stress on the pump with less amp draw. This means a bit of savings on your bill. 14 ga for that distance is a bit small IMO.

My 1hp pump runs off 220 and uses 10 ga wire. It has a run of about 120' including the run down the well casing. I have my pressure switch set to kick on at 45 psi and off at 65 psi. The pump is 14 years old and still kicking. (hopefully I don't have any problems now that I have mentioned it)

Is this a deep well pump or a shallow well type?
 

rwise

Captain
Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
3,205
Re: 115 vs 230 125 feet distance

220 is the way to go! and at least 10awg wire. you can hurt the moter with voltage drop over small wire, small wire bad large wire good:p:)
 

Bindernut

Seaman
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
63
Re: 115 vs 230 125 feet distance

125' run and easy access to 220v? Definitely go that route. Current over the wire will be half of what it's be with 110v. I'd run 12ga minimum but 10ga would be better. (One rule of thumb we use at the plant where I do electrical maintenance is to over-spec wiring by 25% whenever possible)

BTW, a 1hp motor running at full load will draw about 16A @ 100v or 8A @ 220v. Size your circuit breaker to match. On 110v you'll need a 20A circuit minimum to keep the motor from tripping the breaker on startup surge. 220V you can get by on a 15A circuit...but I'm guessing your unused dryer circuit is already a 30A breaker. Another good reason to use 220v and that unused dryer circuit.
 

heyttown

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Messages
537
Re: 115 vs 230 125 feet distance

Keep in mind if you do use existing circuit breaker(220v dryer) which should be a 30A breaker....Minimum wire size is a #10...So if its a 30 A breaker run #10s all the way out....
If you can install in pvc conduit as its alot easier to replace the wire in the future when its in conduit.And the price difference with buying pvc or direct burial cable is minimal.
 
Top