Submersible Pump Wire Size & Cable Length Chart
Maximum one-way cable distances (feet) from power source to motor for 230V, 60Hz, Single-Phase Submersible Well Pumps using standard 75°C copper drop cable (maximum 5% voltage drop).
| Motor HP | Volts | FLA Amps | 14 AWG | 12 AWG | 10 AWG | 8 AWG | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 HP | 230V | 4.9A | 400 ft | 650 ft | 1020 ft | 1610 ft | 2510 ft | 3880 ft |
| 0.75 HP | 230V | 6.2A | 300 ft | 480 ft | 760 ft | 1200 ft | 1870 ft | 2890 ft |
| 1 HP | 230V | 8.1A | 250 ft | 400 ft | 630 ft | 990 ft | 1540 ft | 2380 ft |
| 1.5 HP | 230V | 10.4A | 190 ft | 310 ft | 480 ft | 770 ft | 1200 ft | 1870 ft |
| 2 HP | 230V | 12.5A | 150 ft | 250 ft | 390 ft | 620 ft | 970 ft | 1510 ft |
| 3 HP | 230V | 17A | — | 120 ft | 190 ft | 300 ft | 470 ft | 750 ft |
| 5 HP | 230V | 27.5A | — | — | 110 ft | 180 ft | 280 ft | 450 ft |
How to Measure Total Cable Distance
The total one-way cable run is not just the well depth. You must sum two distinct measurements:
- 1. Down-Hole Drop Cable: Vertical length from the sanitary well cap down to the pump motor setting.
- 2. Surface Run: Buried horizontal trench distance from the wellhead into the house, plus the run to your electrical circuit breaker panel or control box.
Example: A 200 ft pump setting with a 100 ft trench run to the basement panel equals a 300 ft total cable run. For a 1 HP 230V pump, 14 AWG allows only 250 ft; you must upsize to 12 AWG copper.