mark32
Senior Member
- Location
- Currently in NJ
A friend of a friend asked me to look at their newly installed pool pump, which replaced an older one. Turns out that the breaker was tripped but here are my concerns:
1. This was initially hardwired (120v) and controlled by a nearby switch. The switch is located 3' from the pool. The switch is in a metal outdoor rated box that's threaded onto RMC sticking up out of the ground.
2. The pump has a #8 bonded to it but I'm unsure if it is bonded to the pool. The pool in question replaced the original one, of which the owner doesn't recall the replacement ever being inspected. I tried reading continuity between the pump and a couple of screws that seemed to hold pieces of the pool together. The meter sounded like it was reading something but it wasn't very distinctive. There's also a metallic platform with a ladder that one would use to enter the pool.
So what to do to make this thing right? I was thinking about suggesting installing a barrier between the switch and pool because, again, it's only 3' away. (Does the pump itself need to be behind this barrier?) Also, what could be used as a barrier? Swap out the breaker for a GFCI breaker and hard wire the pump to the switch. As far as the bond goes I'm rather stumped. Should I just install a few lugs around the pool and on the platform and split bolt it to the bond coming off the pump? In addition, where on an above ground pool can a lug be installed? I didn't see anything conductive aside from the thin metal coping that surrounds the top of the pool.
1. This was initially hardwired (120v) and controlled by a nearby switch. The switch is located 3' from the pool. The switch is in a metal outdoor rated box that's threaded onto RMC sticking up out of the ground.
2. The pump has a #8 bonded to it but I'm unsure if it is bonded to the pool. The pool in question replaced the original one, of which the owner doesn't recall the replacement ever being inspected. I tried reading continuity between the pump and a couple of screws that seemed to hold pieces of the pool together. The meter sounded like it was reading something but it wasn't very distinctive. There's also a metallic platform with a ladder that one would use to enter the pool.
So what to do to make this thing right? I was thinking about suggesting installing a barrier between the switch and pool because, again, it's only 3' away. (Does the pump itself need to be behind this barrier?) Also, what could be used as a barrier? Swap out the breaker for a GFCI breaker and hard wire the pump to the switch. As far as the bond goes I'm rather stumped. Should I just install a few lugs around the pool and on the platform and split bolt it to the bond coming off the pump? In addition, where on an above ground pool can a lug be installed? I didn't see anything conductive aside from the thin metal coping that surrounds the top of the pool.