Any point to a circuit breaker AND and Edison fuse to pressure switch?

[Reznil]

Here is my story, not a new one for you guys I am sure: old house, funky plumbing and wiring. Trying to sort it out piece at a time. Background: 220 submersible well pump, pitless adaptor, about 180 feet deep.

The pump wiring has the standard 30 amp 220 circuit breaker in the panel. This goes to a lever cut-off switch box by the pressure tank. This old box has 2 old-school Edison fuses (those glass ones that screw in, like a light bulb base). The wiring and the box look in good condition. I am thinking that there is no real purpose for the Edision fuses, correct? If I replace the wiring and get a new box, I can just get a regular double pole switch, right?

Probably a dumb question, just want to be sure.

Thank you!

 

[Reach4]

I am thinking that there is no real purpose for the Edision fuses, correct? If I replace the wiring and get a new box, I can just get a regular double pole switch, right?

You don't need both, but it will not hurt. A double pole switch is good and handy. A 30 amp breaker is pretty big for a home pump in a 180 ft well.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reznil]

It already has that at the main box, so now it had a tandem circuit breaker going to Edison fuses then to the pressure switch.

 

[PumpMd]

3/4hp = 20amp
1hp = 25amp
1 1/2hp = 30amp (for your new double pole breaker box)

It is used as a quick disconnect box for turning off the power to the pump & it can pop the glass fuses before it makes it to the main breaker box, this is used to perform maintenance on your pump system without walking to a pole far away or going into the house just to kill the power to the pump.

 

[Reach4]

I think that normal home circuit breakers are slow blow for current overload, so you could use the "dual element time delay fuse" column. http://static.schneider-electric.us/docs/Circuit Protection/Miniature Circuit Breakers/QO-QOB Circuit Breakers/910-01.pdf shows a chart that shows the the common QO 15 amp breaker will not blow in less than 8 seconds with 100% overload. (left of the gray area does not blow, and right of the gray area on the chart will blow.)

I suspect that Franklin chart originated at a time when many load center breakers were fast-operating magnetic breakers. The corresponding numbers for slow blow are
3/4 hp = 15 amp
1 hp = 20 amp
1 1/2 hp = 20 amp
I am not an authority on this. Just discussing.

 

[PumpMd]

With locked rotor amps it blows the breaker that Franklin recommends in just a few secs and a died short instantly, I think they left room incase you want to run something else on the same circuit is my guess.

 

[DonL]

The pump wiring has the standard 30 amp 220 circuit breaker in the panel. This goes to a lever cut-off switch box by the pressure tank. This old box has 2 old-school Edison fuses (those glass ones that screw in, like a light bulb base). The wiring and the box look in good condition. I am thinking that there is no real purpose for the Edision fuses, correct? If I replace the wiring and get a new box, I can just get a regular double pole switch, right?

As long as you have fuses for the box, I would leave it alone if it is in good shape.

A Edison fuse is better than a Federal breaker for protection. 30 amps at 220 is a lot of power.

Federal in a S&W is good for when someone is trying to steal your pump. In Texas a S&W is a ground fault interrupter.