Pool Light Branch Circuit Grounding

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florida-sparkey

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Location
Pinellas Park, Florida
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Master Electrician
I am a little confused. We do not do many pools on new homes. In this case the pool light transformer will be on the opposite side of the home from the breaker panels and other pool equipment. We follow 2017 NEC.

My INTENT is to install a NM-B 14 AWG wire from switchbox to a junction box at the wall penetration to an outside bell box. Then conduit from bell box with THWN to a pool transformer and the same to a pool rated junction box. All conduits will be duct sealed to prevent gas transfer. I see the NM as protected from all corrosive gas.

I want to power my light from a switch connected to a 14 AWG local general purpose power source already located in the switchbox. Switchbox is located inside the home. I THINK 680.23(f)(1) allows this as no part of the NM-B will be in a corrosive environment. Paraphrased, 680.23(f) states Where installed in non-corrosive environments, you can use any chapter 3 wiring method.

Now, 680.23(f)(2) contradicts this by basically stating you must use a minimum size 12 AWG and insulated grounding conductor. This contradicts the previous statement of allowing any chapter 3 wiring method.

In my case, this would mean I have to pull a dedicated circuit about 80 feet in conduit or M/C for the 1Amp pool light and I clearly would like to avoid this.
 
florida-sparkey said:
Thank you for the reply. I read the complete article so I do not understand your reply. I do not see an applicable exception.
Click to expand...
I think, maybe Bill was talking about the following:
Exception: An equipment grounding conductor between the wiring chamber of the secondary winding of a transformer and a junction box shall be sized in accordance with the overcurrent device in this circuit
 
Buck Parrish said:
I think, maybe Bill was talking about the following:
Exception: An equipment grounding conductor between the wiring chamber of the secondary winding of a transformer and a junction box shall be sized in accordance with the overcurrent device in this circuit
Click to expand...
Thank you. That may be the case however that is not my question. That was stated to be PVC with THWN.
 
My follow up question is exactly what part of the circuit does 680.23(f)(2) cover?
NEC HAND BOOK STATES "680.23(F)(2) COVERS GROUNDING OF ENTIRE BRANCH CIRCUIT TO THE LUMINARE"

Yet-
Non corrosive any chapter 3 wiring method. 680.23(f)(1)
There can be an 18 AWG EGC in the lamp cord. 680.23(b)(3)
Per exception, there can be a 14 AWG from transformer to the junction box if using a 15A OCPD.

Soooo, what is it speaking to at all.
I am completely stumped over a document I usually have little issue understanding.
Please, is there a code writer or AHJ that can explain this to me?
 
If your pool lights are low voltage and require no grounding, then you don't have to comply with 680.23(F)(2).
With your mention of a transformer, I would guess you have a low voltage light. Now the question is, is the light housing plastic and not require grounding? Most of the new lights are LED with plastic housings, no grounding required.
 
Little Bill said:
If your pool lights are low voltage and require no grounding, then you don't have to comply with 680.23(F)(2).
With your mention of a transformer, I would guess you have a low voltage light. Now the question is, is the light housing plastic and not require grounding? Most of the new lights are LED with plastic housings, no grounding required.
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Thank you sir for your input. The light is supplied by the pool guy. It should be an LED. My AHJ was not concerned to put it lightly. "no way there is an issue, just wire it" was his response. Still, I am looking for the correct answers to the questions. I have contacted the county chief electrical inspector and am waiting for his reply.
 
florida-sparkey said:
Now, 680.23(f)(2) contradicts this by basically stating you must use a minimum size 12 AWG and insulated grounding conductor. This contradicts the previous statement of allowing any chapter 3 wiring method.
Click to expand...

If its a line-voltage fixture, you need a #12 EGC. If its low-voltage, you do not need a #12 EGC. Being an LED doesn't mean its low-voltage; almost all line-voltage pool fixtures I've wired in the last 5/yrs are LED.
 
florida-sparkey said:
I am a little confused. We do not do many pools on new homes. In this case the pool light transformer will be on the opposite side of the home from the breaker panels and other pool equipment. We follow 2017 NEC.

My INTENT is to install a NM-B 14 AWG wire from switchbox to a junction box at the wall penetration to an outside bell box. Then conduit from bell box with THWN to a pool transformer and the same to a pool rated junction box. All conduits will be duct sealed to prevent gas transfer. I see the NM as protected from all corrosive gas.

I want to power my light from a switch connected to a 14 AWG local general purpose power source already located in the switchbox. Switchbox is located inside the home. I THINK 680.23(f)(1) allows this as no part of the NM-B will be in a corrosive environment. Paraphrased, 680.23(f) states Where installed in non-corrosive environments, you can use any chapter 3 wiring method.

Now, 680.23(f)(2) contradicts this by basically stating you must use a minimum size 12 AWG and insulated grounding conductor. This contradicts the previous statement of allowing any chapter 3 wiring method.

In my case, this would mean I have to pull a dedicated circuit about 80 feet in conduit or M/C for the 1Amp pool light and I clearly would like to avoid this.
Click to expand...
Pools, Hot tubs, with all of the grounding and bonding can be hard to get your head wrapped around it when you don't do that many. AHJ is different as we here in Oregon have what we call an Addendum that Oregon uses to identify code articles accepted/not accepted or defined to their liking. There is no sin in calling your local Electrical Chief for clarity on what they expect for this type of installation. I personally have developed great relationships with the inspectors in many jurisdictions based on asking a lot of questions.

I have done exactly what your question entail. I used a standard switch NMB to control aspects of the pool remotely as you wish to do. As long as when we made the transition to the conduit systems leading out to the equipment to be controlled, followed the correct insulated grounding conductors, I think you would be perfectly fine to complete the job without having to provide a dedicated circuit so that you can provide the insulated ground wire.

I however would call "your" AHJ and ask how do they interpret the code for this installation in your area you are trying to complete.

Best,
 
Robert De La Cruz said:
Pools, Hot tubs, with all of the grounding and bonding can be hard to get your head wrapped around it when you don't do that many. AHJ is different as we here in Oregon have what we call an Addendum that Oregon uses to identify code articles accepted/not accepted or defined to their liking. There is no sin in calling your local Electrical Chief for clarity on what they expect for this type of installation. I personally have developed great relationships with the inspectors in many jurisdictions based on asking a lot of questions.

I have done exactly what your question entail. I used a standard switch NMB to control aspects of the pool remotely as you wish to do. As long as when we made the transition to the conduit systems leading out to the equipment to be controlled, followed the correct insulated grounding conductors, I think you would be perfectly fine to complete the job without having to provide a dedicated circuit so that you can provide the insulated ground wire.

I however would call "your" AHJ and ask how do they interpret the code for this installation in your area you are trying to complete.

Best,
Click to expand...
Thank you for the feedback. It is much appreciated. AHJ was OK with the install you and I described so that is what I went with.
 
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