Hot tub wire

[olly]

Since copper is so expensive these days, does anyone ever run # 4 AL NM instead of #6 CU NM cable through the interior of a dwelling to the disconnect? Its been awhile since I wired a hot tub

 

[Another C10]

Hello Olly, Personally I don't bother using AL unless its a SER cable for a sub panel and that was 25 years ago. The properties of aluminum to me are to risky. I'd rather spend the money on a better product.

 

[LarryFine]

I, on the other hand, am a proponent of using aluminum for feeders, large circuits generators, etc.

The hot-tub disconnect is the perfect place to make the transition from the aluminum to copper.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Hello Olly, Personally I don't bother using AL unless its a SER cable for a sub panel and that was 25 years ago. The properties of aluminum to me are to risky. I'd rather spend the money on a better product.

Today's aluminum alloy is very different from the days of yore.

 

[kwired]

Today's aluminum alloy is very different from the days of yore.

And even in those days the biggest problems that gave it a bad name mostly involved 12 and 10 AWG solid conductors run on general purpose branch circuits and not so much was it larger service and feeder conductors giving those troubles.

 

[retirede]

I would be sure to check current pricing. Commodity prices have dropped significantly since March. This doesn’t always correlate to final product prices right away, but don’t assume the differential is the same as it was 6 months ago.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

And even in those days the biggest problems that gave it a bad name mostly involved 12 and 10 AWG solid conductors run on general purpose branch circuits and not so much was it larger service and feeder conductors giving those troubles.

I have seen many service conductors, electric heater feeders etc with burned up lugs but they usually didn't have anti oxidant.

 

[coffeebean]

6/3 MC is less expensive then 6/3 NM in my area

 

[Snaple4]

I don’t have a problem with larger wires being aluminum but I have yet to run a Hot tub line with anything but Copper. I might if I was running a full 100amp panel though…

 

[AC\DC]

was a copper guy till my pocket book and Larry convinced me that aluminum is a no brained

 

[Snaple4]

was a copper guy till my pocket book and Larry convinced me that aluminum is a no brained

Might be a regional thing. For most local supply houses 6/3 copper is down to 6 gauge. They start AL at 4/3. Most of the hot tub panels I have run is 6/3 so copper is my only choice. Guess 4/3 AL is acceptable but the reduced workability and minor cost difference keeps us around copper for that size.

Ran into a stove that was run 4/2 AL in the 70’s a few years back. I am sure they had a rogue burner at some point run wild. No issues that I could see with the 30-40 year old wire.

 

[Jraef]

Wired my hot tub with Al 20+ years ago, not even a hint of problems.

 

[kwired]

Wired my hot tub with Al 20+ years ago, not even a hint of problems.

Al who?

Bet you had to replace a component or two on the tub over those years though.

 

[Jraef]

Al who?

Bet you had to replace a component or two on the tub over those years though.

Yes, the heater elements, and never again! That’s a “pay the man” job now. The heater/pump/control box has to be disassembled and they don’t make that easy. There is also a slow leak somewhere, probably at a nozzle seal because it eventually drains down to the uppermost jet nozzles but it’s so slow that I’m just not bothering to drain it and try to find it. Might be time for a replacement anyway. Most of the plastic parts are getting brittle.

 

[kwired]

Yes, the heater elements, and never again! That’s a “pay the man” job now. The heater/pump/control box has to be disassembled and they don’t make that easy. There is also a slow leak somewhere, probably at a nozzle seal because it eventually drains down to the uppermost jet nozzles but it’s so slow that I’m just not bothering to drain it and try to find it. Might be time for a replacement anyway. Most of the plastic parts are getting brittle.

I once had a small hot tub that only ran on 120 volt supply, had 5-15 plug. Was rather small and compact even in the pump/control panel area and no room to put in valves to be able to remove pump like many spas have, so nearly every time I needed to work on it had to drain the tub. Was easy for me to work on, once the control panel was pulled out as it didn't have a PCB and I could replace components primarily with easy to find items instead of having to always go with OEM parts.