220V vs. 115V. What's the difference?

[cruzmisl]

I am curious if there are any major differences between a 1HP pump that runs on 115V or 220V. I know the 220V will run cooler but as far as energy efficiency, cost to run, etc is there really a difference?
Thanks,
Joe

[stualden]

See this Q&A:

http://www.energyideas.org/formats/default.cfm?s_qmr=20&s_qob=rtype&o=h,t,ts,f,fs,b,bs,ds&c=h,t,18,f,1,b,2,45

Remember that frequently motors can be wired to handle either. If 240 is available, I would use it.

[mas985]

There is a slight advantage to 220v over 115 but not that much. I guessing that it amounts to less than 1% energy savings. The manufacture should be able to give you the energy efficiency difference. However, for most pumps that run on both, the 115v max current is twice that of the 220v so even the manufacture does not bother to take into account the efficiency differences. I am not even sure that the cost of installing 220v is covered by the efficiency difference.

The other difference is wire size. In some cases, 115v will require heavier guage wire (more current). I think that this is the most important factor and why higher HP motors > 2 HP do not come in 115v versions. Even at 2 HP, the 115v 2HP Northstar requires 10 AWG wire which is very difficult to work with.

[cleancloths]

Where you get the savings is when you go to 208-240V three phase power, but that is not available in most homes. Three phase power is much more efficient and the motors are much smaller due to the efficiency of having three separate windings that make use of that type of power.

[cruzmisl]

OK then, so I guess it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I wanted a Whisperflo 2 speed (uprated 1HP - full rated 3/4 HP is $80 more:confused: ) which gives me perfect GPM for my pool. The 220V models are too powerful. This saves me from rewiring for 220V, buying a new timer and probably getting a shock or two in the process:eek: (kidding of course).

Thanks,
Joe

[cschmelz]

The difference between 220 and 115?

105!

[cruzmisl]

The difference between 220 and 115?

105!

Thanks everyone for coming. cschmelz will be here all week with another show at 9:00pm :)

[Lenny]

Go with 220V when possible. The same HP motor will require twice as much current (amps) at 110V compared to 220V. As was stated previously, you will need a significantly larger wire size at 110V for this reason.

Also, the start up current of a motor can be 6 to 12 times the amount of the running current (FLA). With 220V you are drawing less current and spreading it over the 2 halves of your electrical panel, which I believe is less likely to cause lights to dim, etc.

[cruzmisl]

Unfortunately every 2 speed 220V pump moves too much water for my application. Looks like a Whisperflo 1 HP uprated 115V pump for me. Wish I could have done it but the 220V 1 HP pump moves 90 gpm (115V 70gpm) which is overkill for my 16,000 gallon pool.

Thanks,
Joe