Well pump

/ Well pump #11  
All of the information given above is correct, with the exception of the starter box confusion. That box is doing nothing but serving as a wiring terminal, it was gutted by a previous owner, when the pump was switched from traditional 3-wire (requires starter) to 2-wire (has internal starter).

If you ever replace that pump, I'd go back to traditional 3-wire and install a new starter box, since it's stupid to have to pull a pump everytime a start capacitor fails. Pumps typically last through at least 3 start capacitor failure cycles, unless pump conditions are very bad (e.g. silt, mineral, etc.). With a traditional 3-wire setup and starter circuit mounted above ground, it's an easy 5-minute / $5 repair.
 
/ Well pump #12  
Question for those that know - do you have to put both L1 & L2 thru the pressure switch or can you just run one leg thru the pressure switch? If one leg is off won't the pump not turn on?

E.
 
/ Well pump #13  
Common and even maybe NEC code is to put both L1/L2 through pressure switch, otherwise you have a always hot leg going into pump and it may feed back and cause you harm (electrical shock) if you assume the pump is switched OFF by pressure switch....
 
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/ Well pump #14  
WinterDeere, what leads you to believe the box is gutted? Although I agree with everything you said about 2 wire vs. 3 wire.
Everhard, you can break just one leg, but it's not recommended.
 
/ Well pump #15  
Question for those that know - do you have to put both L1 & L2 thru the pressure switch or can you just run one leg thru the pressure switch? If one leg is off won't the pump not turn on?

E.

WinterDeere, what leads you to believe the box is gutted? Although I agree with everything you said about 2 wire vs. 3 wire.
Everhard, you can break just one leg, but it's not recommended.
Have to believe what winterdear says.... There is at least a start capacitor in box along with a relay...

Below is typical setup as we do wells on west coast..... Pressure switch to pump controller....

Though my controller is different from one pictured in message #1, its typical of submersible pump controllers....

P1020763.JPG
 
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/ Well pump #16  
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/ Well pump #17  
If there's at all a chance that your well will get pumped out - temporarily run dry - there are also boxes called "pump savers" which will temporarily turn off power to the pump if it senses through current draw that the pump isn't ... pumping. They have adjustable timers for how long to wait to turn the power back on.
 
/ Well pump
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