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Electricians - well pump/GFCI breaker question

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September 03, 2019, 03:31 PM
TomS
Electricians - well pump/GFCI breaker question
220v Submersible well pump wiring is buried 10/2.

I believe that per the NEC, breaker should be GFCI. It is not and is actually 30a when it should be 20a.

GFCI breaker says run neutral to breaker then pigtail wire from breaker to neutral buss.

Here's the question. Since the 10/2 ground is being used as neutral, can I run that to the breaker?

Thanks for input!


Best regards,

Tom


I have no comment at this time.
September 03, 2019, 07:51 PM
lee40215
Most gfci breakers have the white neutral installed on them just hook up the black and white to breaker and use the right size breaker
September 03, 2019, 07:54 PM
PowerSurge
Unless the code has changed in the last 5 or 6 years, a GFCI breaker on a well pump is not required.


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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1
September 03, 2019, 08:07 PM
Skins2881
Refer to manufacturer instructions. There is nothing code wise that would call for GFI protection. No you can't hook up ground to neutral terminal. If you are required to use GFI breaker you would hook up breaker to neutral bar, ground to ground bar. Two hots to T1/T2 and have no load side neutral connection.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
September 03, 2019, 08:08 PM
a1abdj
quote:
Unless the code has changed in the last 5 or 6 years, a GFCI breaker on a well pump is not required.


I have two houses with wells, and both are on regular breakers out of the service panel, and each has its own separate built in breaker on their control box. Don't know if that is ground fault or not.


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September 03, 2019, 08:18 PM
TomS
quote:
Originally posted by Skins2881:
Refer to manufacturer instructions. There is nothing code wise that would call for GFI protection. No you can't hook up ground to neutral terminal. If you are required to use GFI breaker you would hook up breaker to neutral bar, ground to ground bar. Two hots to T1/T2 and have no load side neutral connection.


I was hoping you would chime in. Thanks for the info. I quess it won't hurt to use the $100 GFI. At least it is the proper amperage!


Best regards,

Tom


I have no comment at this time.
September 03, 2019, 08:30 PM
Skins2881
quote:
Originally posted by TomS:
quote:
Originally posted by Skins2881:
Refer to manufacturer instructions. There is nothing code wise that would call for GFI protection. No you can't hook up ground to neutral terminal. If you are required to use GFI breaker you would hook up breaker to neutral bar, ground to ground bar. Two hots to T1/T2 and have no load side neutral connection.


I was hoping you would chime in. Thanks for the info. I quess it won't hurt to use the $100 GFI. At least it is the proper amperage!


Proper amperage and other requirements will be spelled out in instructions. I've never seen a well pump on GFI, doesn't mean it's not possible, just I've never seen it. 12awg can be used up to 30a, and 10-2 up to 40a in most cases for a motor load. Again refer to manufacturer installation instructions.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
September 04, 2019, 09:50 AM
sig operator
TomS, There is often a breaker in the well pump control panel. This may be a 20 amp breaker, and you would not need to replace your house breaker. I would not install a gfci unless forced by code to do so. Cost plus nuisance trip factor keep me away.