Well Pump Wiring - Where to Buy?

[Valveman]

With a junction box wire nuts are ok, but I still don't like them. High amperage tends to arc between the twist. Butt splice with crimping tool is best.

This is especially true with a VFD as the pulsing dc voltage they produce travels on the skin of the wire not the core like regular ac power does. Butt splice is better for skin effect.

 

[Pettrix]

The submersible wire is not rated for direct burial. It would probably work OK if you protected it in PVC conduit, but check your local codes.

I will have 2" conduit so I will put the 1.25 PEX well water line and the wiring inside of that PVC counduit.

 

[Pettrix]

With a junction box wire nuts are ok, but I still don't like them. High amperage tends to arc between the twist. Butt splice with crimping tool is best.

This is especially true with a VFD as the pulsing dc voltage they produce travels on the skin of the wire not the core like regular ac power does. Butt splice is better for skin effect.

True, plus when you think of it. When a well pump is installed the wires have to be spliced to the well pump and they typically use butt connectors and waterproof rubber seals around the splice?

 

[Valveman]

Yeah it is hard to water seal a wire nut. Heat shrinks or electric tape don't form around the nut as well as they do around a smooth butt splice connector. I prefer 130C rubber tape to heat shrinks. But you have to get the right stretch with no wrinkles to make it water tight. But when done correctly you have to cut it off as it will form a solid rubber coating and will not unwrap. It will hold up under a 1000' feet of water (432 PSI), and it doesn't have any problem buried in a ditch either.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

So butt connectors cannot be used on a well pump wire line? The butt connectors are rated to 600v (per package data)

They are allowed by code, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. It's especially a bad idea if you use pliers or vice grips or some other buggered method for crimping them.

Don't get me wrong - butt splices are great if they are done correctly, but they are usually not done correctly. You need a decent tool, which means, NOT one of these:

View attachment 482643

And you need to pay attention to the seam orientation and the splice's position in the crimper. Not difficult, but you do need some basic knowledge.

Wire nuts are brain-dead simple, and with the grease, will be a reliable connection for years to come.

And never splice in an inaccessible location. Splices can go bad, so they should never be underground or in a conduit.

 

[Pettrix]

They are allowed by code, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. It's especially a bad idea if you use pliers or vice grips or some other buggered method for crimping them.

Don't get me wrong - butt splices are great if they are done correctly, but they are usually not done correctly.

And you need to pay attention to the seam orientation and the splice's position in the crimper. Not difficult, but you do need some basic knowledge.

Wire nuts are brain-dead simple, and with the grease, will be a reliable connection for years to come.

And never splice in an inaccessible location. Splices can go bad, so they should never be underground or in a conduit.

I always use a quality crimping tool and the indentation is on the solid non-partitioned spot. I then use heat shrink tubing and then quality electrical tape over that. I NEVER had a butt connection fail or come loose.

Are not ALL well pumps spliced?

When the pump comes out of the box the wiring is only a few feet so it has to be spliced with submersible well wiring. This then sits underwater in the well for years and years.

 

[Valveman]

I agree with TKO. If butt splice connectors are not done correctly, wire nuts are better. But when done correctly the butt splice is best. Yes all submersible pumps will have butt splice connectors attaching them to the drop wire. They will last for years and years. But you need a crimping tool like this one.

 

[Valveman]

I forgot to mention that you can run the wire in the same conduit as the pipe, just make sure not to run any other wires in the same conduit as the power wires for the VFD unit. I said I liked THHN wire, but you may want to consider shielded wire for the VFD application. See the following.

"The cable selected for interconnecting a variable-frequency drive to a motor can significantly
influence the reliability of the system. The wrong cable can increase problems and lead to
premature failure. The right cable, on the other hand, can actually reduce the potential from
problems like corona discharge or standing waves."
http://www.newark.com/pdfs/techarticles/alphaWire/VFDCRVFDS.pdf

 

[Pettrix]

I agree with TKO. If butt splice connectors are not done correctly, wire nuts are better. But when done correctly the butt splice is best. Yes all submersible pumps will have butt splice connectors attaching them to the drop wire. They will last for years and years. But you need a crimping tool like this one.

I have those exact same crimpers. Had them for years.

 

[Pettrix]

I forgot to mention that you can run the wire in the same conduit as the pipe, just make sure not to run any other wires in the same conduit as the power wires for the VFD unit. I said I liked THHN wire, but you may want to consider shielded wire for the VFD application. See the following.

I talked to the Gould's engineer and they said no special wire is required for their VFD pumps. Just as long as the wire gauge is sufficient (which #10 transitioning to #8 is good) then all is well. The only requirement is that no other power cables run alongside that well pump wiring. It will be by itself with no other wiring in conduit.

ALL wire companies do this type of sales. Monster Cable is notorious for claiming that their speaker wires resist noise and that their power strips help stop bad sine waves from the electrical company but tests show that it's all nothing but sales and marketing nonsense.

If the pump manufacturer (Goulds) doesn't require it then it is not required.