Go BottomPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon 
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2010-11-25 175337
I forgot to run a temporary outdoor extension cord to the well head for the first cold snap of the season and had the above ground section of the water supply pipe freeze today.
I've been putting off running conduit and 120v power out to the well head just for this purpose.
The well has a 240V submersible pump. Would connecting the strip heater to one phase of the 240V pump supply at the well head cause any problems with the pump? It's about a 4 foot strip but I don't remember the power draw.
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
 | greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky 
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2010-11-25 175338
Why complicate things? Just use 240v heat. See link below.
//greg// ....
Link: 240v heat strip
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2010-11-25 175341
I agree with Greg, use the 240 strip.
If however for whatever reason that's not a possibility, you could run a light load off one side without a problem. If there's a chance the 'temporary' could become 'long term', use two of them side by side and connect each to a different leg of the 220 line. That way at least you will have a balanced load on it.
Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2010-11-25 175343
Thanks for the info. Duh, didn't even think to look for 240v heat tape. I initially installed the 120v tape because it was in stock at ACE hardware and had a built in thermostat. ....
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2010-11-26 175363
Ken the problem is not likely to be with the pump but the danger of too large a breaker for the 120 outlet. 120 outlets are rated at most 20 amps and should be protected by a 20 amp breaker or fuse. That is if the wire to the pump is three conductor wire but code probably will not like it if they were to check it.
I could go on but will tell you in my part of the world...as Jeffery will say the slow south, there are many a pump wired for the heat we need as you are talking about. ....
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
 | AnnBrush
Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 463 Troy OH 
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2010-11-28 175388
Apart from several issues (code / unbalanced voltage and/or load / nuisance tripping) that may arise from creating a multi-voltage branch circuit, the power to the well head is usually switched by a pressure switch (should be switching both legs if installed correctly) that is remotely located (often inside the residence). If the heater load is connected to the load side of the well head circuit the heater will only be energized when the pressure switch closes. In this scenario the solution will be less than satisfactory. ....
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
| kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
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2010-11-28 175397
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D'oh! That's an obvious problem :)
....
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Add PhotoPower 120v heat strip off one phase of 240v line
| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5278 South Carolina
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2010-12-06 175570
I believe all the wells I have looked at here the pressure switch is located near the pressure tank if a submersible unit if not they are located on the pump. Of course not much is 100% set up 100% of the time. ....
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