2. misc-audio
  3. 151756-76462

Electric feedback from water circulation pump

I have an electrical hum coming from my speakers (95 db sensitivity) whenever my whole house well water circulation pump turns on (which occurs anytime a faucet or shower is turned on).  I have a dedicated 20 amp line to my listening room and this line is at lest 7 feet away from the pump.  I believe the noise is coming from energy back fed from the pump into the breaker box.

I contacted my well company and they indicated this is a problem that usually affects TV images (mine are fine) and recommended I install a capacitor at the breaker box which will absorb the back feed of energy coming from the pump.  I did this and there was no improvement.

I just had a Powerworx clean energy/surge protector added to each of our three electrical panels due to a recent lightening strike of my house (an ounce of prevention... I know).  It was also purported to likely help the above issue.  It did not.

My next move is to either invest in a power regenerator or power conditioner for in my room.  If that does not help then my final move might be to install a pressurized holding tank so that the pump does not run as often.  I am unsure of the cost or feasibility of this and therefore reserve it as a final option.

Any recommendations regarding power conditioning in this specific situation are welcomed.  Thanks!

mganga
mganga OP
30 posts
 
Thank you all for your kind help.  Sorry for the confusion about the hum vs hiss.  No transformer hum to speak of, just speaker hiss.   I have a Subdrive 20 submersible pump controller by Franklin Electric.  It was installed three years ago when the house was built.  So this is actually the well head pump controller that is making all the fuss.  I also have a small (maybe 4 or 5 gallon) blue pressurized tank by Gould’s water technology called a hydro pro - not sure what it’s role is since the pump is frequently cycling on and off with the slightest drop in water pressure (ie water usage).   Nevertheless when a faucet is turned on the pump controller is running.  I contacted my well drilling company today and they said they only install underground cisterns and referred me to a plumber who was clueless as to a solution and thusly sent me to another well drilling company who is going to get back to me tomorrow.  They have big kahuna status on internet review sites so I am hopeful they will provide a solution.  I’ll let you know what turns up tomorrow.   
skyscraper
827 posts
 
That Subdrive 20 submersible pump controller is something I’ve not heard of before. It sure is a pricey item, and must be the latest technology. Most systems on a well pump water into a much bigger holding tank, like noodlyarm describes, than your system utilizes, pressurizing the tank in the process. When you turn on your shower you release some of the pressure as the water flows out the shower head, and only periodically the well pump kicks back on to re-pressurize the tank.

You might contact the SubDrive Company directly and ask for tech support or find out who installed your system. They should still be around if it only went in three years ago. Good luck.

Mike
mganga OP
30 posts
 
Thanks Mike for your contribution.  I just looked it up and agree with you, it's expensive.  Easy to overlook things like that during a custom build.  Too many choices and decisions.  

I'll check with SubDrive to see what options they have.  I have not yet heard back from the other well company.  I'll try again.

Christopher
erik_squires
15,974 posts
 
May I suggest a Furman power strip, as well as any other series mode surge suppressor. They filter noise down to around 3 kHz, and can be had inexpensively, around $180.

Another approach is to look at how your equipment is connected. Is your pump on it's own circuit? Is it on the same circuit/phase as your audio equipment? Does the Romex for one run next to another for 6' or more?
grahamk
2 posts
 
mganga - I am curious if you were able to solve this problem. I have recently had a Franklin Subdrive pump controller installed and it creates a hissing noise whenever the pump runs. Franklin Tech support actually tells me this is intentional to cover up a noise that might disturb dogs. The pump is great but the hissing is driving me crazy and now it's on the stereo too just as you described - which is just unacceptable. Were you able to solve this?
More to discover