Will an ammeter register a motor's startup surge?

[boytyperanma]

@Nars_Glinley

It’s a 3 wire 220 with a double 20 amp breaker. The “first water” in this area is around 25 feet. I’m guessing that the pump is around 60 feet. I can’t imagine that it’s more than 1/2 hp.

If it’s a 3-wire motor there is a control box that will say the hp right on it. Three wires will have red, black and yellow wires. A newer 3 wire has 4 wires die to the additional green wire.

A 2-wire has red-black and sometimes a green as well.

1/2 hp pumps make up the majority of my residential installs, about 70%. Average well depth for my area is 200ft. Static levels average 15ft but wells aren’t always high yielding so the pump pulls the water level down while running.

[Nars_Glinley]

Then I misunderstood. Mine is red-black-green. No control box. Just the electrical box and the pressure switch.

[ctywkr]

@Nars_Glinley

It’s a 3 wire 220 with a double 20 amp breaker.

So 220 volts and 20 amps. 220 X 20 amps=4400 watts.

If all you want to power is the well pump 5000 watt generator.

If it works with normal power, it will work with a generator.