any electricians on here?

ira

ira

Active member
Looking for some help/ opinions for wiring needs on some of our electric submersible pumps. These are ones that we are putting in the ground to fill up wetlands. We are wanting to run direct burial wire 1000' and 500' from high voltage to these. Trying to figure out the most economical wire that will meet the needs of the pumps without shorting them on power.

Here are the specs on the motor.
15hp
max amps 75
running amps 69
230 volts
200 amp circuit breaker.

Anyone? Is that enough info? Looking to use direct burial cable!
 
That much current at that range and I bet you are going to need a transformer to step the voltage down at the pumps or you are going to be spending A LOT of moeny on wire big enough to carry that current that distance. Get ready to spread that wallet wide. I bet a power dist. electrician will give you the best means and I'll be surprised if he drops a line that distance without a transformer. Not my area, just a hunch.
 
Yes, what seemed easy and not too expensive in the beginning seems to be turning into a monster that we are not likely to follow through with. Looks like we may need to alter our plans for well locations. We could run high voltage to them, but that definitely is not cheap either!
 
Doing that on other farms. It is a huge pain in the a. Getting fuel back and forth in the mud. Changing oil/ filters. Not to mention that it is WAYWAYWAy more expensive than electric. Like by a factor of 10....! Meaning if 300 acre feet of water via diesel costs you $12,000 to get, electric would cost you less than $2,000.
 
Yowza! That's some heft operating costs. Running power lines may not be a bad way afterall. Let us know if you find anything out.
 
Ira,

Have you discussed this with your power utility provider? It may be cheaper to pay them to run the lines and put a meter right at the well(s). Depending on the expected usage, they may absorb some of the cost themselves. Just a thought.
 
Yes, and if we are dead set on putting the wells out there, that may be the best way to go. BUT, high voltage burial is $11.50 per foot and then you need a pole and tranformer there as well.

Getting to be pretty pricey any way you slice it. Might just have to use the old standby;s of gravity and mother nature as it fits the pocket book a whole lot better!
 
Ira, I worked for progress energy as a distribution lineman for 8 yrs. is it going to be 500 ft or 1000 that is a very important question. If it were me and it was my ponyshow...... Just give me a email and we'll figure it out without it costing you a arm and a leg. ~Les
lriggan75@live.com
 
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Ira, Have you considered wind mills ? I don't know how it will work in you area but finding out is free.
 
Ira,

Have you considered putting the well near the power and running pipe to the area? Might be cheaper for the pipe than the transformer.

Joe
 
Ira I came up with some unofficial figures on the power wire for your pumps. 3% voltage drop is the optimal range for most equipment. For the 500 ft runs @ 3% drop a 300/350 alluminum wire size is optimal. A smaller 4/0 wire size will work but voltage drop will require a soft start capacitor on the pumps. Assuming there will be nothing else on the service. If there is and it will be used at the same time (lights, receptacles, etc) as the pumps the larger 350 will be plenty to hold that load any day of the week. The larger runs up to a 1000 ft optimal is 750, I have spoken to my engineer and we both agree that if it were ours,(which it is not) we would run 500 and be very confident that we wouldn't have problems. Renting a ride on trencher w/ cover blade is 235.00 a day in my area and you should be able to trench a 500 run and cover in one day in normal soil conditions. If you have rock or hard base clay/shale you will be slower. Most electrical supply will give you a break on a whole spool of wire that's usually 1120 ft per roll. Hope that helps. Be sure and put your wire in conduit if you see the first sign of rock. You could just let me come out the 1st part of the season and oversee it;>
 
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