pump/pressure switch

[ScorpioCowgirl]

I'm having problems with my pump/pressure switch, can't afford the outrageous service fee, so thought id try here.
In my main breaker box, there are three wires connected to a double breaker labeled 50. Yellow connected to main ground, red and black connected to breaker. This wire runs to my well house, and connected to a junction box, well wrked fine.
Water line cracked so I flipped breaker, repaired line. As my assistant turned on power, there was a spark from under the pressure switch cover, we powered off immediately. Have tried to reengage system with no result. My uncle removed the junction box, wired pressure switch direct to main breaker. Tried well direct to main breaker. Not sure wires are correct. Yellow is ground, the original yellow( from breaker) was never hooked to pressure switch. Yellow from well hooked to switch. When powers on. If yellow( main) touches pressure switch it sparks. Help please.

 

[Reach4]

In my main breaker box, there are three wires connected to a double breaker labeled 50. Yellow connected to main ground, red and black connected to breaker. This wire runs to my well house, and connected to a junction box, well wrked fine..

Let's have a photo of that "junction box, preferably with the cover off. It is probably a well control box. The yellow wire to the well would not normally go to ground. A newer "3 wire" pump has 4 wires including the green ground wire. Older pumps did not have the green.

 

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[Craigpump]

It sounds as though someone used what ever wire was laying around so it's very posdible the yellow is used as ground. I see that all the time.

There will always be a slight spark at the pressure switch when the contacts open and close, but what you describe leads me to think the contact plate may have broken or melted. If that's the case, it's a fairly inexpensive repair.

Post a close up of the pressure switch.

Outrageous service fees?

 

[ScorpioCowgirl]

It sounds as though someone used what ever wire was laying around so it's very posdible the yellow is used as ground. I see that all the time.

There will always be a slight spark at the pressure switch when the contacts open and close, but what you describe leads me to think the contact plate may have broken or melted. If that's the case, it's a fairly inexpensive repair.

Post a close up of the pressure switch.

Outrageous service fees?

My neighbor wanted to charge $200 service fee.

 

[ScorpioCowgirl]

It sounds as though someone used what ever wire was laying around so it's very posdible the yellow is used as ground. I see that all the time.

There will always be a slight spark at the pressure switch when the contacts open and close, but what you describe leads me to think the contact plate may have broken or melted. If that's the case, it's a fairly inexpensive repair.

Post a close up of the pressure switch.

Outrageous service fees?

Pressure switch... Contact plate? On the switch itself?

 

[Reach4]

In http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/ot-wiring-well-pump-control-box-help-244184/ I found pictures that look similar to your box. Your pump control box may have failed, but you can't just wire a 3-wire pump to the breaker panel.

That $200 is looking like it might have been money well spent.

There are tests that can be performed with an ohmmeter to get a better idea about what is going on.

 

[ScorpioCowgirl]

In http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/ot-wiring-well-pump-control-box-help-244184/ I found pictures that look similar to your box. Your pump control box may have failed, but you can't just wire a 3-wire pump to the breaker panel.

That $200 is looking like it might have been money well spent.

There are tests that can be performed with an ohmmeter to get a better idea about what is going on.

Thanks for all the advice, I tested with my ohm meter and did my wiring back to what I had originally, I put the relay swith back in. Rehooked all wires, reinstalled my main breaker (I always pull it, for safety when dealing with water) the well, pump is working beautifully. No issues, not sure why my uncle removed that relay. But once again, thanks yall.