Cable tie for submersible cable 1

[miyo]

What is the recomended type of cable tie for submersible well pump cable? Discharge submersible pipe is 8" diameter.

 

[semo]

I've seen well drillers use plastic "Zip-Ties" or just use electrical tape wrapped several times around the column pipe and cable.

Do you have to specify what is being used? Why not just specify that it is to be tied securely at specific intervals?

 

[miyo]

We use plastic cable ties (see:

http://www.panduit.com/products/Products.asp?param=260&ig_id=587

).
The story is that our maitenance crew pulled out submersible 120 depth well pump with 2 cables running paralell. The bands were torn and cables fell into the casing, a big trouble.
Of course when they installed the pump they should tie each cable seperately, and when disassemling cables should be tied to a fixed point.
But this is a good opportunity to check whether we use the best equipment. I would be happy to find wider bands, for instance.

 

[semo]

I would wonder why they were torn. Was the pump and columm pipe drug along the side of the casing or is there something in the casing where that caught the ties when the pump was installed? If that is the case, was the power cable insulation cut or scratched? Poor installation could cut the cable insulation and cause future problems with the pump that isn't really the client's fault.

Can the loose ties enter the pump suction and clog the pump or ruin the impellers?

Once installed there should be no force on the column pipe or anything tied to it so the ties should remain intact no matter what they are.

 

[bimr]

You should just specify that the installation be in conformance with the NEC and manufacturers recommendations:

http://www.goulds.com/pdf/Subm_Turbine.pdf

“Remove slack from the power cable and attach a cable clamp approximately every 20 feet. For units with large heavy power cable, additional cable clamp may be required to give additional support. Line up the cable on one side of the pump and maintain as much clearance as possible on that side when lowering the pump in the well. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO SCRAPE OR DAMAGE THE POWER CABLE, CABLE SPLICE, OR GROUNDING SYSTEM WHEN LOWERING THE PUMP. Hold the power cable up away from the well casing as lowering the pump into the casing.”