Pump Electric Advice

[pratzert]

My AG pool pump went up. It was a 1 HP 2-speed and the plate rating said it was 11.0/2.9 AMPS FLA.

I "thought" I was getting a good deal on a 2HP 2-speed pump but I now see the AMPs indicated on the plate are 16.4/4.4 FLA.

I have been runnign an extenion cord (12 gauge.) to my old pump off my outside outlet circuit which is a 15 AMP circuit and never had any problems.

But I am now concerned about the 16.4 AMP FLA rating on the new pump.

I can run it at the low speed with no problem, but how about the high speed ?

The distance from the outlet using the extneison cord and the pump is about 100 feet.

What I dont' know is exactly what the FLA ( Full Load Amps) really means.

Will the pump ALWAYS draw 16.4 amps when running at high speed, or is that the start up surge or what ?

Anyone with some in-depth electrical knowledge who can help me out ?

Thanks.

[CarlD]

Al can probably figure that out better than me, but I do know that when you exceed your breaker's rated amperage by more than 10% you should expect it to break.

HOWEVER, Amperage is watts divided by voltage, always and forever. This means that higher voltages result in lower amps. So if your pump is rated at 115 volts and your service is 120, you have a little margin depending on the rated wattage.

[Poconos]

I saw this post last night and wanted to think a little. This stuff is confusing to me to but here is my best thoughts. FLA Full Load Amps I think means just that. With the motor (no pump attached) loaded to it's maximum rating that will be the current draw. Now, when the motor is hooked to a pump and moving water is the motor putting out its max power? No. What is the real load? Depends on how much water you're moving which is the amount of work being done. I think the 16.4 part of the info is what I said. It makes sense the 4.4 is the low speed amps.

Now this stuff I do know and is back to basic electricity. From copper wire tables at 77 deg F. a 100' 12 gauge cord will have a resistance of 0.324 ohms. (#12 copper is 1.62 ohms per 1000 feet and you have 200 feet of wire). At 16.4 amps that is a 5.3 volt drop. Fairly significant. Starting current will be a lot higher momentarily. The 15 amp breaker will probably get warm so you should consider going to a lower resistance line and a higher rating on the breaker.

Hope this helps.
Al

[BigTallGuy]

Since your original circuit has a 15 amp breaker, I can only assume that this circuit is using 14 gauge wire, but you didn't mention how far this circuit run is from the breaker panel to the outlet where the extension cord is plugged in, or if there are other outlets on this same circuit. In all likelihood, you could have a slight amount of voltage drop before you ever get to the extension cord. Like Al said your bigger motor may require a bigger circuit. You might want to consider installing a complete new circuit with the proper rating for your new motor.

[pratzert]

Thanks for all the info.

It sounds like I would be better off returning this pump and getting a 1HP with a lower AMP use rating.

It would avoid all these problems and having to add another outlet with a new 20AMP breaker.

Just ain't worth it. Back to Namco it goes.

[Poconos]

With the smaller pump you'll be happier every month too.....when the electric bill comes.
Al

[pratzert]

With the smaller pump you'll be happier every month too.....when the electric bill comes.
Al

No arguement there !

Thanks.

[BigTallGuy]

I "thought" I was getting a good deal on a 2HP 2-speed pump

Are you sure this was a 110 volt pump motor, or was it 220 volts?

[pratzert]

Are you sure this was a 110 volt pump motor, or was it 220 volts?

Yep... positive it is a 110Volt and not the 220V.

I know the AMPS would be less using 220V but then I would still have to have a 220V recepticle installed.

Either way... too much trouble/money.

Thanks, Tim