Help interpret the requirements for this pump

9 years ago

I am having a plumber install a pump to boost the incoming water pressure in my house. This is what the service manual says about what I need for electric service.

The manual shows the pump being plugged into a standard outlet. My question is whether it needs to be a 15 or 20 amp circuit and whether it needs to be dedicated to just the pump. Also any advice on the wisdom of protecting it with a GFCI receptacle or breaker would be appreciated.

The pump will be installed in my basement next to my water meter. It's a Grundfos Scala 2. Thanks

Featured Answer

Ron Natalie

9 years ago

If it's installed in an unfinished basement, it will need to be a GFCI.

Not enough information here to tell. If the plug has a regular 110 plug (both blades parallel to each other), it's not drawing more than 15A. A 20A plug has one blade turned "horizontal". The next question is how much below 15A does it draw? Frankly, not being able to see the motor, we can't answer that. Best to put it on a dedicated circuit if you don't have other guidance. Frankly, if I have to run a new circuit, I'd put in a dedicated 20A just in case it ever gets "upgraded."

If you have a manufacturer/model we might be able to guess further.

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Comments (8)

schreibdave
Original Author
9 years ago
It's this one. Pump Thanks
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Ron Natalie
9 years ago
Draws 6 (well. 5.7) amps.
jemdandy
9 years ago
I recommend a 20 amp circuit for the reason the poster above gave, and to provide more overhead for motor loads. A 15 amp circuit should carry the load after the motor has started, and possibly the inrush. The motor may have an inrush current of 4 to 6 times its running current. NEMA rated motors are allowed to have an inrush up to 6 times the maximum loaded running current, however, most motors have inrushes of 5.5 times or less. Its the household circuit breaker that can be a problem. A 15 amp breaker should be able to start this motor without tripping depending on what level its instantaneous trip has been set at.

Inrushes of high efficiency motors are greater than the older motors.
Ron Natalie
9 years ago
"Inrush" is less of an issue with the PM motor used in this pump.
Vith
9 years ago
I would have separate circuit and GFCI on that.
Ron Natalie
9 years ago
As I stated, if we're in an unfinished basement, a 120V 15 or 20A circuit is absolutely required to be GFCI. Frankly, in the unfinished basement, it's probably easy to run a dedicated circuit.
schreibdave
Original Author
9 years ago
It is in the unfinished portion of my half finished basement. I will run a 20 amp gfci protected, dedicated circuit. Thanks