Getting electric to my well

[1930]

I have had the local electric company run the cable underground and install the transformer box, now its up to me to install a meter can, fuse panel and run the wire over to the transformer.

Electric company will make the connections to transformer.

Ive contacted the local county to get the requirements and ask for assistance, they have basically told me they are not gonna offer this and I should purchase/study the NEC.

Im not planning to be a career electrician and as far as I know codes can still vary greatly depending on location.

Can anyone offer any insight of where I mind find the information I need? I believe they are only giving me a 60 amp service at this point, its only an ag well.


Thanks

 

[casmurbax]

Well first I would ask a moderator to move this thread into the Lighting & Electrical section. A sparky there might be able to assist you better then in Free Parking.

Good luck getting it wired.

 

[1930]

I did not know there was a section. Thanks

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Gonna need a lot more info than you gave here to help over the internet

Pump/motor size in HP, phase (single or 3), voltage, well depth, etc...

How about some pics as well.

Is this a new well?

 

[1930]

Gonna need a lot more info than you gave here to help over the internet

Pump/motor size in HP, phase (single or 3), voltage, well depth, etc...

How about some pics as well.

Is this a new well?

Ive been running the well several months from my gen

 

[signcrafter]

Most building inspectors aren't there to tell you how to do things. They will clarify some little details if needed but they aren't going to hold your hand and walk you through a whole project with all the details.

Here the power company runs the wire from the transformer to the meter, then it's all you.

I would plan for a 200 amp service since if I remember right you are planning on building a house and maybe a shop? Don't do all this work for a 60 amp service that you will need to replace in the future.

Overhead or underground service?

Can you get an estimate from an electrician where you run the wire? If I remember right you ended up with a pretty good excavator? If you can find one that will let you run the wire(I'm assuming underground service), and they do the meter and panel hook ups they will tell you what wire to run and what you need to do. Might be a good way to save some money and still get the knowledge of what needs to be done and how to do it correctly.

 

[1930]

Thanks, I can get an estimate Im sure, at this point I havent decided its time to throw in the hat on my end, since Im over 2 hrs away from the property meeting someone is a pain. Its all underground.

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks, I can get an estimate Im sure, at this point I havent decided its time to throw in the hat on my end, since Im over 2 hrs away from the property meeting someone is a pain. Its all underground.

It wouldn't be throwing in the hat if you run the wire. You would actually be doing most of the work. The electrician would basically just be making connections in the panel.

The problem I see with you doing it all yourself is it sounds like you dont even know where to start. It's one thing to ask what size wire to run or something like that. You say you dont want to be a career electrician but you do need to know what you're doing. There isnt a diagram out there to show you exactly what to do. You also didnt provide many details. Where is service being mounted? What are future plans? That is why I asked. You said 60 amps for now. So someone tells you how to run a 60 amp service and then when you go to build your house you have to run new wire since your 60 amp wire isnt big enough for a new 200 amp service?

This is why I suggested trying to find an electrician that would let you run the wire. He can fill in all the little details you're missing. Cost would be less since you're doing the hard work. You wouldn't even really have to meet him at first. Mark out service location and ask him to go look at it. Ask him to mark where to run wire and what he would like you to do.

I understand wanting to diy but sometimes you need to pay a little to get the info you need and get the job done.

 

[nadogail]

Your public library may have books on the subject.

 

[1930]

It wouldn't be throwing in the hat if you run the wire. You would actually be doing most of the work. The electrician would basically just be making connections in the panel.

The problem I see with you doing it all yourself is it sounds like you dont even know where to start. It's one thing to ask what size wire to run or something like that. You say you dont want to be a career electrician but you do need to know what you're doing. There isnt a diagram out there to show you exactly what to do. You also didnt provide many details. Where is service being mounted? What are future plans? That is why I asked. You said 60 amps for now. So someone tells you how to run a 60 amp service and then when you go to build your house you have to run new wire since your 60 amp wire isnt big enough for a new 200 amp service?

This is why I suggested trying to find an electrician that would let you run the wire. He can fill in all the little details you're missing. Cost would be less since you're doing the hard work. You wouldn't even really have to meet him at first. Mark out service location and ask him to go look at it. Ask him to mark where to run wire and what he would like you to do.

I understand wanting to diy but sometimes you need to pay a little to get the info you need and get the job done.

I understand, the county is only giving me 60 amps, its regulated from the transformer the electric company installed, the transformer is approx 500 feet deep into my property, it is in approx distance to the home build, the normal house service cable has been run to the transformer, I just need to add the 50-75 feet from transformer to the well and in between, its only basically a temp service to get my well going and off my gen, I can accept the small debt incurred to run this temp service without any hard feelings.

My property is fenced, no one gets in without me being there unless of course criminal activities are taking place.

Its not rocket science, I just do not know the codes, I made some headway today and will get it done, thanks

 

[zeke67]

60Amp / 240Volt? What is the actual amp draw of the well pump, to determine the size of the breaker to protect the pump. You can google a wire chart to get the wiring sizes. You can google the size of the conduit diameter if want to put it in conduit.

Regarding the code, the NEC (National Electrical Code) is in use across the contours, the question for the local requirement is what version of the code are they on. It gets updated every three years, but your jurisdiction may not have adopted the latest version.

 

[Sportsman762]

Judging from the photo of the box its no more than 11.5 amps for the well. 60 amp should be plenty to get it running.

 

[brainypencil]

Judging from the photo of the box its no more than 11.5 amps for the well. 60 amp should be plenty to get it running.

I agree with your opinion, Sportsman762. This will work in your well.