Using Generator To Power Well Pump

I have a Goulds Model 7GS05422 well pump. It is referred to as “2 wire” but has 3 wires actually running to it.

To power the pump using a 240 volt generator, which wires from the generator should be connected to which wires on the pump motor? The generator has a NEMA L14-30 connector.

Thank you.

You should not connect directly to the pump. Connect it to the pressure switch.

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Originally Posted by Regis Tration

I have a Goulds Model 7GS05422 well pump. It is referred to as “2 wire” but has 3 wires actually running to it.

To power the pump using a 240 volt generator, which wires from the generator should be connected to which wires on the pump motor? The generator has a NEMA L14-30 connector.

Thank you.

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Connect X & Y to Pressure Control, and G to Ground.

Attachment 16289

Be careful playing with electricity.

Thank you.

The first 2 wires are L1 and L2 (240 VAC between the two), the 3rd wire may be a ground if it's green or if yellow could be the capacitor start wire. You can tell this if you have a control box near the pressure switch/tank and you have 2 wires from your power panel feeding it and the 3 wires from the pump wired into the control box. If the 3rd wire is a ground, it should be obvious as it will be connected to other ground connections somewhere. As recommended above, the proper place to connect the generator power is where power comes to the pressure switch or a junction box near there (or if you have the control box see where it is fed from and connect it there). When you do that you MUST disconnect the normal or line power otherwise if you still have utility power - BOOM and you will probably wreck your generator. If you don't disconnect your normal/utility feed to the pump and you connect the generator, you will also be powering up your house and the line back to the transformer and ultimately the high voltage power line. This is dangerous to the linesmen trying to fix the power outage. (of course this assumes you have utility power)

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Originally Posted by BrianK

When you do that you MUST disconnect the normal or line power otherwise if you still have utility power - BOOM and you will probably wreck your generator. If you don't disconnect your normal/utility feed to the pump and you connect the generator, you will also be powering up your house and the line back to the transformer and ultimately the high voltage power line. This is dangerous to the linesmen trying to fix the power outage. (of course this assumes you have utility power)

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Good point.

I assumed it was the only power source.

Thanks for the Safety precaution. Better to be safe than sorry.


Be careful playing with electricity, Unless you like a shocking experience.

How many watts is your generator?