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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
I forgot to run a temporary outdoor extension cord to the well head for the first cold snap of the season and had the above ground section of the water supply pipe freeze today.
I've been putting off running conduit and 120v power out to the well head just for this purpose.
The well has a 240V submersible pump. Would connecting the strip heater to one phase of the 240V pump supply at the well head cause any problems with the pump? It's about a 4 foot strip but I don't remember the power draw.
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
Why complicate things? Just use 240v heat. See link below.
//greg//
Link:
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
I agree with Greg, use the 240 strip.
If however for whatever reason that's not a possibility, you could run a light load off one side without a problem. If there's a chance the 'temporary' could become 'long term', use two of them side by side and connect each to a different leg of the 220 line. That way at least you will have a balanced load on it.
Best of luck.
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
Thanks for the info. Duh, didn't even think to look for 240v heat tape. I initially installed the 120v tape because it was in stock at ACE hardware and had a built in thermostat.
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
Ken the problem is not likely to be with the pump but the danger of too large a breaker for the 120 outlet. 120 outlets are rated at most 20 amps and should be protected by a 20 amp breaker or fuse. That is if the wire to the pump is three conductor wire but code probably will not like it if they were to check it.
I could go on but will tell you in my part of the world...as Jeffery will say the slow south, there are many a pump wired for the heat we need as you are talking about.
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
Apart from several issues (code / unbalanced voltage and/or load / nuisance tripping) that may arise from creating a multi-voltage branch circuit, the power to the well head is usually switched by a pressure switch (should be switching both legs if installed correctly) that is remotely located (often inside the residence). If the heater load is connected to the load side of the well head circuit the heater will only be energized when the pressure switch closes. In this scenario the solution will be less than satisfactory.
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
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Apart from several issues (code / unbalanced voltage and/orload / nuisance tripping) that may arise from creating a multi-voltage branch circuit, the power to the well head is usually switched by a pressure switch (should be switching both legs if installed correctly) that is remotely located (often inside the residence). If the heater load is connected to the load side of the well head circuit the heater will only be energized when the pressure switch closes. In this scenario the solution will be less than satisfactory.
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D'oh! That's an obvious problem 
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Power 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
I believe all the wells I have looked at here the pressure switch is located near the pressure tank if a submersible unit if not they are located on the pump. Of course not much is 100% set up 100% of the time.
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Gas Generator Weather Protecti
11-25-2010, 00:22 
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