another elect. question

Jan 11, 2004 4 Replies
M

After reading the thread "230 V from 3 phase , I notice we have some very bright elect engineers. ( I to have a degree in engineering from the school of hard knocks. In fact I have a PHD. piled higher and deeper).



Now for my question. I have only 2 hot wires buried to a 220V submersible pump in my field. I like to replace the pump to a 120V pump which I have. Can I hook one line and push a rod in the ground for a netural to get 120V? Also push another rod in the ground for a ground wire? I'll have 120V but will I kill my self ? I did not make the installation, if I did it would have been 3 wires and a ground.



Second question on another project. I built a drive way between the breaker box and my welder. Therefore, I layed underground plactic pipe about 20 ft. to run no. 6 Romax to my welders 50amp plug. I was a happy man until I read "Pocket Ref" by Thomas J. Glover on page 116 under electrical in big bold letters" NEVER PUT ROMAX OR BX INSIDE CONDUIT" My question is why?



Thanks, Max plowboy and wannbe weldor


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W

A. #1 Your suggestion is downright dangerous!

A #2 The conduit may reduce air cooling and exceed the temperature rating on the insulated conductors. In addition the insulation on the Romex is probably NMD not NMW. NMW is required for underground installations. In reality you will probably be fine since you will not likely max out the conductor ampacity and hopefully you get some cooling from mother earth ..... unless you live in Arizona or the like.

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R

On Sat, 10 Jan 2004 20:04:46 -0800, Walt Springs wrote (in message ):

#1 The thing to do here is to unhook one of the hot wires at the breaker and make it a neutral. That will give you 120 at the pump. Actually you should unhook both wires and use a new single-pole breaker. You give up the 240 this way but that sounds like what you want.

#2 Like he said.

Roger in Vegas Worlds Greatest Impulse Buyer

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K
1) NO !! it may be possible for you to get electricuted if the path of lesser resistence is through your feet then into the ground !!

current could flow through pump, into your ground rod, hit your feet (or something else), then back into the ground.

2) hmmm, most likely due to heating issues. k

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D

Hook one of the hot wires to the nuteral bus in your panel and you will have

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