submersible well pump wire question

[goodwrench]

working on a 60 foot deep well pump. found the wire had rubbed and ultimately broke. i cut the wire above the break a little ways. when i stripped the wire to check it, i found green corrosion in the middle of the stranded copper. I am thinking the wire needs to be replaced because of the corrosion. is my assumption correct? never dealt with corroded wire before so wasn't sure whether to use it or not. thanks!!

 

[Stuart in MN]

The corrosion will extend down inside the insulation for a ways, so at the very least you'd have to cut it back some. In addition, it will be difficult to make the splice so that it's 100% waterproof over time. Personally, I'd replace the pump cable.

 

[Junkman]

I agree with the above answer, but if you are in a bind where the new cable is going to be expensive, then you can do what I did many years ago. I stripped the wire back till I had clean bright copper, and then I soldered the two ends together, first putting a piece of shrink tubing over the wire. I also staggered my solder joints. Heat the shrink tubing with a heat gun, until you see that it is tight. Once that was completed, I also slid a larger piece of shrink tubing (previously placed) over the soldered joint, and using the heat gun, heated that tubing until it was snug. I finished the repair with electrical tape tightly wrapped around the splice, and abut 4 or 5 inches in both directions. The last thing I did was to make sure that the wire wouldn't chafe again. It was still going strong 6 years later when I sold the place.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

working on a 60 foot deep well pump. found the wire had rubbed and ultimately broke. i cut the wire above the break a little ways. when i stripped the wire to check it, i found green corrosion in the middle of the stranded copper. I am thinking the wire needs to be replaced because of the corrosion. is my assumption correct? never dealt with corroded wire before so wasn't sure whether to use it or not. thanks!!

I use to work as a pump tech for a pump company.

Did you pull all the drop pipe and pump out of the well?

If so i would just replace the drop wire.

Clean the filter on the pump while youre at it....

If not all the way out of the well, then cut the bad sections of wire out until you find clean copper. get an underwater splice kit. They are made specifically for wells.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E8S2ZR6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.tuhorse.us/parts-and-acc...-pump-wire-awg-10-12-14-submersible-3m-tubes/

Also, u should put some torque arrestor donuts on the pipe to prevent the pipe from flopping around in the casing which will cause chaffing on the wire....

The corrosion will extend down inside the insulation for a ways, so at the very least you'd have to cut it back some. In addition, it will be difficult to make the splice so that it's 100% waterproof over time. Personally, I'd replace the pump cable.

Not true.

There are splice kits that are made for this application that are 100% water proof...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I agree with the above answer, but if you are in a bind where the new cable is going to be expensive, then you can do what I did many years ago. I stripped the wire back till I had clean bright copper, and then I soldered the two ends together, first putting a piece of shrink tubing over the wire. I also staggered my solder joints. Heat the shrink tubing with a heat gun, until you see that it is tight. Once that was completed, I also slid a larger piece of shrink tubing (previously placed) over the soldered joint, and using the heat gun, heated that tubing until it was snug. I finished the repair with electrical tape tightly wrapped around the splice, and abut 4 or 5 inches in both directions. The last thing I did was to make sure that the wire wouldn't chafe again. It was still going strong 6 years later when I sold the place.

Thats way more work than necessary. Use a splice kit instead...

 

[AntonLargiader]

I had a bad wire some years ago and used a splice kit like that. Worked perfectly. The heat shrink has some sealant inside it, I think, that oozes out the ends and seals things perfectly. My well is just over 100' deep IIRC.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I had a bad wire some years ago and used a splice kit like that. Worked perfectly. The heat shrink has some sealant inside it, I think, that oozes out the ends and seals things perfectly. My well is just over 100' deep IIRC.

yup. Its made to do that once heated up with a plumbing torch or similar...

Ive seen those out last pumps and motors...

(Man youre up late... )

 

[Stuart in MN]

Not true.

There are splice kits that are made for this application that are 100% water proof...

Didn't say it was impossible, but it would be difficult. Those splice kits may be hard to find for the average homeowner, and they may not be experienced at installing them.

 

[American Locomotive]

Didn't say it was impossible, but it would be difficult. Those splice kits may be hard to find for the average homeowner, and they may not be experienced at installing them.

The submersible wire splices can be found at places like Home Depot. You crimp the wires together, slide the heatshrink tube (that's filled with sealant) over the crimp and then hit it with a torch or heat gun. Takes a few minutes tops.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Didn't say it was impossible, but it would be difficult. Those splice kits may be hard to find for the average homeowner, and they may not be experienced at installing them.

i didnt say u said that. What u said is it would be difficult to make them 100% waterproof which isnt true and thats what i was responding to. The splice kits are designed to be 100% waterproof...

Theyre Not difficult at all.

And i dont know how they would be hard to find seeing as i posted a link to them on amazon...

And my local home depot sells them along with drop wire, pumps, motors, pressure switches, and starters...