115V/230V dual voltage switch which should I use for a shallow well pump. its running of 2 20amp fuses?
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Answers:
Sounds like it is on the 220V mode if it uses two 20 amp fuses. If the 20 amp fuses come off the same leg or phase line, the pump will not run at all. Basic electrical circuits require a feed and a return. 220 circuits don't use a neutral, but they need to be from opposite potentials.
If you run it on 115 you only use a single 20 amp fuse or circuit breaker. If you run it on 230 it should be on a double circuirt breaker. Not 2 individual fuses or breakers. If you run it on 2 single fuses, one could blow out without the other blowing. 220 is best if the pump is a long distance from circuit breaker box.
measure voltage with a meter before hooking to pump if your unsure...
you would use a NEMA 3R, 2 pole, 30A, 240V fused disconnect with 20A fuses. This answer, of course, is the safest I can offer based on what little info you offered. What is the purpose of the switch? Are you turning on/off manually? Where is the switch located relative to weather? Is this going to be a new installation or replacing an existing one? What is the electrical rating of the pump assembly (Volts, amps, or HP)?
FIRST IF YOU ARE UNFAMILAR WITH ELECTRICITY IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HIRE A PROFFESSIONAL LISCENED ELECTRICIAN, WORKING AROUND ELECTRICITY CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND MACHINERY. IT IS BEST TO CHECK THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE FOR PROPER INSTALATION PROCEDURES AND WITH LOCAL AND STATE CODES. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.First of all there is not sufficent info here to properly advise you it sounds like you have 220 coming in then the pump motor should be set to 230, but without testing the voltage it should not be installed and also the wire size needs to be know and the Motor size and Full Load Amapacity of the motor the wire length and some other factors such as enviorment of instalation all need to be considered are serious damage to the motor,wires and personnell can occur . Where is the equipment that came out it should it be matched exactly as close as possible to the new equipment, this would be the easiest for you to do.if it was installed properly in the begining,.
You will need to determine the incoming line votage whether it is 220 our 110, this can be done with a voltmeter. If you have two fuses in your box it sounds as if you might have 220, but you need to measure this voltage to make sure, This is a very dangerous procedure if not done properly, DO NOT ATTEMPT unless you are familar with testing electrcial circuits and know proper safety procedures. The proper way to measure this voltage is to take one lead and place on the bottom of the fuse and the other lead to ground or netural if the fuse is good and you have power you should read 110 at the bottom of each fuse.. Then you should take the leads of the voltmeter/multimeter and place one lead at the top of each fuse and at the bootm of the oposite fuse this should read 220. Then repeat this procedure for both fuses. If you have 220 service and both fuses are good you should have read 220 both times.. If either reading is 110 are 0 then check the voltage with both leads placed on each terminal on top of the fuses if the reading is O between wires but 110 to ground then you have only 110 on two wires, but if you have 220 between the wires you 220 on your incoming lines. if you then have zero or 110 from the top of the fuse to the bottom of the other fuse then you have a blown fuse.As you see this can be slighty complicated procedure and testing live voltage is dangerous do not touch ant energized live parts with any part of your body, where safety glasses, mkae sure your tester is rated for the voltage you are measuring and in good condition and you have read all instructions and safety precautions , Sears and Radio Shack sells both meters and books on how to use them properly. As for your fuse sizing this has to be done according to the size wire used and the Full Load Ampacity rating on the motor, this rating is generally located on the nameplate of the motor, the National Electric Code has tables to tell you the proper sizes of circuit protection for both wires and motors, there are other books that have these tables taken from the code book, check your local electrical supplier. hardware store are the libary for these books.THERE ARE MANY GOOD BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR ELECTRICAL TESTING AND INSTALATION AVAILABLE . REMEMBER.IF THE PROPER SIZE CIRCUIT PROTECTION(FUSES) IS NOT INSTALLED THEN FIRE AND OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE WILL OCCUR. ONCE AGAIN THERE IS GREAT DANGER INVOLVED WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY, BEFORE CONNECTING ANY WIRES MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF AND LOCKED OUT. IF YOU ARE UNSURE ARE UNFAMILAR WITH ELECTRICITY HIRE A PROFFESIONAL LISCENSED ELECTRICIAN, ELECTRCITY CAN HURT ARE KILL YOU AND CAUSE FIRES AND GREAT PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE IF NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY Good luck be careful and safe.
115V switch hooked to one leg of power will turn pump on and off succesfully.
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