I'd like to run some power to my shop to run a couple of outlets and a shop light. Is there any reason I can't tap off my well pump power (at the pump)and run 200 ft of 10-2 to the shop.

Thanks, G.

 

There are several reasons:

The well pump may by 240 volts.

The pump circuit may not be able to handle the extra capacity.

The pump may not be the appropriate size (current rating) for a general purpose circuit.

 

How about this. If the pump's 240, can I use half of it? And, the pump would never be running while power was in use in the shop. It's on a pressure switch and I'm here alone, 300 feet from the house.

Thanks, G.

 

First thought I had was that you would not want to risk tripping our such an essential system as your water pump, and personally I would want mine on its own dedicated circuit, as yours might be now.

It is not to say this is impossible. Or against Code as far as I am aware. The decision making process requires further information.

1. Is the pump 120v or 240v?

2. What size wire is run out to the well?

3. What is the horsepower of your well pump.

4. What is the approximate distance from the panel to the well?

Depending on these answers, a circuit extension from the well to the shop might be a reasonable idea, or might be a bad idea.

A second consideration on tapping the circuit of an essential system is that if you are present in the shop, and, say, fire up a power tool that trips the well circuit breaker, you will know it and you will of course reset it so your family has water. If you aren't out in the shop then you are not using power off that circuit and the well pump won't trip out.

If you can provide answers to the above questions, we can chat more about the viability of this idea.

Juice

 

You would need a neutral for any 120-volt uses, and your 240-volt pump circuit probably contains no neutral. So most likely this project is not possible.

 

OK, Bad Idea. The circuit is 120V, but seems to be commanded by the pressure switch so it is not always hot. It is connected with 12-2 and is 120 ft from the panel. The pump is in the well, and the tank/pressure switch is in the crawl space .

What size wire do I need to run a 20 amp circuit from the panel to the shop? It's about 340 feet away. Can I get away with 10-2 or will I need to go to 8?

Thanks,

G.

 

Yikes! To go 340 feet @ 120v @ 20 amps, you would need #2 AWG copper to get below a 3% voltage drop. #4 AWG would leave you at 3.5%. Do-able, but not desirable.

Juice

 

Thanks Everyone. I'm thinking generator!

G.