Balancing 110v appliance w/ 220v pump?

marks · Aug 13, 2006

My pressure pump and chlorine feeder are wired for 220v, when the contacts in the pressure switch, trigger both pump and feeder become energized. However I have the opportunity to purchase a 110v chlorine feeder, that draws 1.7 amps. If I were to maintain the same wiring configuration, then I'd assume that the legs of the 220 would be unbalanced due to the unequal draw? Can you guys validate my thinking on this? If I were to rewire the pump to 110v, will there be much of a difference in its performance/efficiency? Thx

PineRidge · Aug 13, 2006

You'll draw approximately twice as many amps in 110 than you will in 220 volts. Amps also equal heat. A 220 volt appliance is much more efficient in operation than it's 110 volt counterpart.

gordon21 · Aug 13, 2006

I believe the draw per circuit breaker will not matter. It would possibly be an issue if you were pulling vastly different loads on each leg from your meter. A 220v circuit breaker box has 2 hot legs. Typical useage spreads out the load over both. It would be a wierd combo of loads to be pulling 100 amps on one side and under 20 on the other. 220v breakers have two sides so they pick up power from both legs. Any other circuit in the house would make up the difference. As long as you are staying within the breaker guidelines, you should be OK.

_RaT_ · Aug 13, 2006

marks said:
My pressure pump and chlorine feeder are wired for 220v, when the contacts in the pressure switch, trigger both pump and feeder become energized. However I have the opportunity to purchase a 110v chlorine feeder, that draws 1.7 amps. If I were to maintain the same wiring configuration, then I'd assume that the legs of the 220 would be unbalanced due to the unequal draw? Can you guys validate my thinking on this? If I were to rewire the pump to 110v, will there be much of a difference in its performance/efficiency? Thx

I don't see why you would need to even consider this. At any given time, your electrical panel will not have a even current draw between the two legs. In your case, having a higher current draw in say the black leg by 1.7 amps is insignificant. The question is, do you have a neutral wire to make 120 volts. You cannot use the ground wire. You could however get a 240V to 120V transfomer that would be quite small for the minor load.

marks · Aug 13, 2006

You guys make very good points. Since I'm currently working on this project, I greatly appreciate your prompt input. Thx

midlf · Aug 14, 2006

Unbalance on a 220V circuit is not a problem. Feeders to sub-panels have this all the time. A difference of 2 amps will probably not be detectable. If your 220v circuit does not have a neutral, and this is highly likely, you will have to add a neutral to the circuit.

LC '92 · Aug 16, 2006

My 110V chlorine injector runs fine off one leg of my 220V pressure switch.
Good luck with your project.

_RaT_ · Aug 16, 2006

midlf said:
Unbalance on a 220V circuit is not a problem. Feeders to sub-panels have this all the time. A difference of 2 amps will probably not be detectable. If your 220v circuit does not have a neutral, and this is highly likely, you will have to add a neutral to the circuit.

Hmm, where did I read that before?