1971 NEC 680.24 (d) in ground pool grounding requirements??

[herbie3rd]

1975 NEC 680-25 (d) (oldest copy I own) in ground swimming pool equipment grounding conductor requirements are basically same as today- grounding conductor must be minimum No 12 insulated copper conductor, installed with circuit conductors in rigid metal or non-metal conduit.

This section was 680-24 (d) in the 1971 NEC and was revised from 1971.

I need to know if UF cable (encapsulated but not insulated ground) was permitted in 1971, and if it could be direct buried to the pool pump, not required to be installed in conduit.

Text of 1971 NEC 680-24 would be greatly appreciated if anyone has copy of it. Or alternately, if any old-timers know if direct buried UF was permitted per 1971 code.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kbsparky]

Here you go:

680-24
(d) An equipment grounding conductor shall be sized in accordance with Table 250-95 but not smaller than No. 12 AWG. It shall be an insulated copper conductor and shall be installed with the circuit conductors in an approved rigid metal conduit or rigid nonmetallic conduit.

Exception No. 1: The equipment grounding conductor specified in 680-24(a)(1).

Exception No. 2: The 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 the circuit. See Section 680-24(a)(2), Exception No. 2.

Exception No. 3: The equipment grounding conductor between an existing, remote panelboard and the service equipment need not be in conduit if the interconnection is by means of an approved cable assembly with with an insulated or covered copper equipment grounding conductor.

 

[herbie3rd]

Here you go:

Thanks kbsparky!!

Reason I inquired, a friend recently bought a house in central New Jersey. Has a pool installed in 1972, permits issued, inspected and approved at the time. On a visit yesterday, I noticed that UF cable for pool pump was direct buried. A little digging indicated that it was buried at least 24 inches. Appeared to be in very good condition, no cracks etc, as far as I followed cable into ground. (Pump is GFCI duplex outlet protected). Since this was not code even in 1972, not sure why it passed inspection then, but raises question whether it is safe now, and whether it should be replaced with insulated ground in conduit with circuit conductors. This would be a BIG deal since it runs under bushes and concrete.

So besides obvious requirement to run in conduit to protect ground wire and circuit wires against damage, what is the reason(s) for insulated ground requirement?? I can think of a few possibilities, but why isn't encapsulation in UF cable sufficient to protect ground wire? Most important, if there is no chance that cable could be damaged from digging, is it safe to continue use of UF cable? Or is there an important safety reason to replace?

Your and other's thoughts.

Thanks again!