Mean Time Between Failure for Well Pump Wiring
 

About 4 years ago, I had my well pump and wiring replaced. The water
went out recently and when the plumber pulled the pump from 300' well,
it tested for broken wire. Upon inspection, the black and green
ground wires were both broken, though in different places within 15
feet of the pump. Plumber explained that this is a normal occurrence
and wiring can break at anytime without regard to when it was
installed. He further explained that the bucking action of the pump
rubs the wire against the side or otherwise strains the wire. Problem
is...I spoke with several different well users, all of whom claim
broken wires are few and far between. When I tried to discuss the
matter with another level of manager, I received a similar song and
dance. It happens all the time...expect it as a routine cost of
owning a well.

I also asked about quality of wire and the protective casing around
the wire and was told it was all standard and there was no difference
or better quality product to reduce chance of problem in the future.
My own experience growing up on a well and prior experience of 7 years
in my current home tell me that all of these answers may be self
serving on the part of the plumber. If the situation is as described
then plumbers must spend 90% of their time replacing broken wire for
well pumps...afterall, it's routine and expected although
unpredictable since according to the plumber the wire can break within
6 months or a couple years but almost certainly before pump failure.

I would appreciate feedback feedback on this topic from well owners
and trade professionals. I am not looking forward to shelling out
$725 every 4 years to remedy this problem. I also note that plumbers
in our area are moving to fixed priced and advertising that it saves
customers money. In this case they put in 105 minutes with one
plumber and one helper....cost of wire was not itemized but it seems
like it would have cost less at an hourly rate of 90/hr for plumber
and 40/hr for helper?

Thanks in advance.

Mean Time Between Failure for Well Pump Wiring
 

gymtime wrote:
....snip story of woe of failed well wire after four years...

The "bucking" shouldn't occur because there should be a snubber to
prevent it.

There is wire specifically marked for well usage -- are they using it?

Was the wire changed out when the previous pump was changed?

I can't think of last time had a wire break itself but the previous
before the last pump had last 15 years or a little over. Traded it out
on general principles when replaced the pump.

Don't know about costs -- depends greatly on how deep the well,
locality, etc. Would be roughly that here to pull it from 240 ft.

--

Mean Time Between Failure for Well Pump Wiring
 

On Jun 12, 7:26 pm, gymtime wrote:
Plumber explained that this is a normal occurrence
...
I would appreciate feedback feedback on this topic from well owners
and trade professionals.


I've never heard of that before. Normally the wire is taped to the
pipe at regular intervals and plastic collars keep the pipe and wire
from contacting the casing.

Perhaps the wire ended up under tension after the pump/pipe assembly
was lowered into the well.

Of course, anything can break at any time, but the B.S. answer from
the plumber is suspect. A perfectly acceptable honest answer is "I
can't explain why it's broke but you still have to pay me to fix it".


-rev

Mean Time Between Failure for Well Pump Wiring
 

Have him reinstall it with a 300 foot long pvc pipe as a sleeve. It won't
break again. I have a moron well guy like yours who told me the same BS. I
didn't know better. When I finally dumped him, the new guy fixed it
permanently with the pvc sleave. In fact he used the old water pipe as the
sleave and put in a fresh pipe to carry the water.


"gymtime" wrote in message
oups.com...
About 4 years ago, I had my well pump and wiring replaced. The water
went out recently and when the plumber pulled the pump from 300' well,
it tested for broken wire. Upon inspection, the black and green
ground wires were both broken, though in different places within 15
feet of the pump. Plumber explained that this is a normal occurrence
and wiring can break at anytime without regard to when it was
installed. He further explained that the bucking action of the pump
rubs the wire against the side or otherwise strains the wire. Problem
is...I spoke with several different well users, all of whom claim
broken wires are few and far between. When I tried to discuss the
matter with another level of manager, I received a similar song and
dance. It happens all the time...expect it as a routine cost of
owning a well.

I also asked about quality of wire and the protective casing around
the wire and was told it was all standard and there was no difference
or better quality product to reduce chance of problem in the future.
My own experience growing up on a well and prior experience of 7 years
in my current home tell me that all of these answers may be self
serving on the part of the plumber. If the situation is as described
then plumbers must spend 90% of their time replacing broken wire for
well pumps...afterall, it's routine and expected although
unpredictable since according to the plumber the wire can break within
6 months or a couple years but almost certainly before pump failure.

I would appreciate feedback feedback on this topic from well owners
and trade professionals. I am not looking forward to shelling out
$725 every 4 years to remedy this problem. I also note that plumbers
in our area are moving to fixed priced and advertising that it saves
customers money. In this case they put in 105 minutes with one
plumber and one helper....cost of wire was not itemized but it seems
like it would have cost less at an hourly rate of 90/hr for plumber
and 40/hr for helper?

Thanks in advance.