More backup generator discussion: Backing up well pump in a different structure

[rbstern]

Ok went back through my code book and can find no issues with 1 circuit (the well pump) going to the other building. This can have power from both the utility and (with a properly installed gen and transfer switch) the gen as well.
NEC 2014 225.xx and 250.xx address the “separate building” and provide some exemptions for a single circuit.
NEC 2014 also addresses gens but the discussion is around proper grounding, neutrals and ensuring utility and gen power is isolated from each other- proper transfer switch.
NEC 2014
445.xx
702.xx

As mentioned early on in this thread by LueNY a properly labeled and installed single circuit from the new building back to the old building to power the well will be the easiest way to provide utility and gen power to that circuit.

Thanks for doing that legwork!

 

[MossRoad]

Might not be against code to have the circuit go to the other building, but would be surprising if it could if the other building had a seperate metered service. It's a legal can-o-worms! :laughing:

 

[RNeumann]

Might not be against code to have the circuit go to the other building, but would be surprising if it could if the other building had a seperate metered service. It's a legal can-o-worms! :laughing:

Yep- see post #7. It will need to be over communicated and labeled. This is definitely one where someone will be looking for the breaker if it isn’t labeled!

 

[Jcoon]

Then instead of digging the trench to the old house just dig the stinken trench to the well casing, cut the wire to the old house and run it to the new house, and put a T in the line to the new house. Or put another pitiless in, and drop another well pump in, keep it 5 feet above the old one and have two pumps.

This really isn’t that hard folks!

 

[grsthegreat]

Then instead of digging the trench to the old house just dig the stinken trench to the well casing, cut the wire to the old house and run it to the new house, and put a T in the line to the new house. Or put another pitiless in, and drop another well pump in, keep it 5 feet above the old one and have two pumps.

This really isn’t that hard folks!

this is exactly what i always do in these situations. Simply refeed well house. Not brain surgery.

 

[hr3]

Sorry didn't read the whole post but why would you want the noise by the new house where you sleep , plus your biggest load "the pump"is by the old house. I would put the generator by your new office and run a feeder to the new house to supply essential loads in the new house..

 

[grsthegreat]

Sorry didn't read the whole post but why would you want the noise by the new house where you sleep , plus your biggest load "the pump"is by the old house. I would put the generator by your new office and run a feeder to the new house to supply essential loads in the new house..

Problem eith this scenerio, he would then need 2 transfer switches and would need to upsize the 100 amp feed run to house 150 feet away. The other way would only use 1 transfer switch and a 30 amp run of 150 feet.

 

[rbstern]

this is exactly what i always do in these situations. Simply refeed well house. Not brain surgery.

It's certainly not brain surgery, but neither is it that simple. The tank and pressure switch are in the existing house. The trench between houses needs to be dug anyway, for the water and low voltage lines. The position of the new house means at least a 450 foot run, and maybe significantly longer, because the shortest path to the well head may have to go in a non-direct path, to avoid already buried utility power. Either way, it is a much bigger trenching job.

Based on the feedback on this thread, I'm consider two potential solutions:

1) As suggested, running an 8/2 AWG in the trench between houses, and moving the well power entirely to a circuit fed from the new house, with a cutoff and appropriate labeling at the tank/pressure switch in the existing house.

2) Putting in a portable generator solution with a panel interlock at the existing house, for powering the well in an emergency. I already have much of the gear for this at the house I will be selling, so it's an economical solution. Just don't like the lack of convenience, particularly if I am not available and my wife has to do handle it.

 

[hr3]

Problem eith this scenerio, he would then need 2 transfer switches and would need to upsize the 100 amp feed run to house 150 feet away. The other way would only use 1 transfer switch and a 30 amp run of 150 feet.

Ya I see your point better your way..

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Why four wires? If the well pump is isolated as a single branch circuit from the new house, wouldn't it just be the two hot 120v legs and ground?

That the new (a few years old) NEC. Once upon a time all outbuildings were wired as a separate service, so all you needed was two hots an a neutral, with a local ground bonded to the neutral. Now they want the ground bonded back to the main service entrance, so you have two hots, a neutral and a ground, and the neutral is not bonded to the ground. If you are somewhere that a local ground is critical, like a milking parlor, just run bare copper in the trench for the ground.