2023 NEC 680.14(B) and 680.26(B)(6)(2)

[tortuga]

Greetings group,
Given now that the new 680.14(B) requires equipment in a pool equipment room to be suitable for corrosive environments,
what about bonding the pump motor to the pool?
680.26(B)(6)(2) requires me to bond the pump (in a equipment shed that is a corrosive environment) to the pool, and this is an existing pool.

The new pump in question is all non-metallic and is tied into existing PVC piping and it does have a nice big copper grounding lug on it.
If I run a #8 from that lug and hit the metallic pool pipes with a ground clamp, how do I make that suitable for a "corrosive environment"?
The once brass pipes are all green and it's in a pool equipment room.
I think by the time I get back there that new copper lug will be green.
Is there some kind of epoxy or spray for the copper?
Thanks in advance.

 

[wwhitney]

I think by the time I get back there that new copper lug will be green.

Is green unsuitable?

Cheers, Wayne

 

[letgomywago]

Is green unsuitable?

Cheers, Wayne

I think moist green and dark brown copper will conduct well so I agree. Only thing about pools I've seen is they need direct burial rated grown lugs and those are beefy for what they do. I have no fear from those lugs and their ability to bond correctly.

 

[Joethemechanic]

I think moist green and dark brown copper will conduct well so I agree. Only thing about pools I've seen is they need direct burial rated grown lugs and those are beefy for what they do. I have no fear from those lugs and their ability to bond correctly.

Yeah I'm pretty sure copper chloride dihydrate (Blue Green Chit) is conductive

 

[letgomywago]

Yeah I'm pretty sure copper chloride dihydrate (Blue Green Chit) is conductive

And brass clamps have nice teeth on them so it should bite good

 

[tortuga]

I haven’t encountered metallic water pipes associated with a swimming pool.

Its a pretty old in-ground gunnite pool, my guess is 1960's. Possibly older, main house was built in the 1920's.
The metallic part is just the stub up into the equipment room, probably 4 inches of exposed metal pipe, then its newer PVC.
Pipe looked to be around 1-1/2 or 2". Still part of the circulation system, some are brass some galvanized.
My guess is at one time it had a propane heater, now it has a 'newer' solar water heater.

Is there an existing bonding jumper coming from the pool shell?

No.
There is an existing panel in the room thats all rusted out that has a #8 to a water pipe which is no longer in service.
I am putting a new panel outside of the corrosive environment of the equipment room, with 2 new ground rods.
I'll also run a #8 to bond the piping.
Here is the existing ground clamp, I did not get a good photo of the circulation pipes, I think thats one on the left.

 

[letgomywago]

I would be reluctant to have anything to do with such an old pool, but then I’m not an electrician. Everything that you can’t see might be rotted, There’s only so much that you can do to improve the installation. GFCI the equipment and any lights.

That old of a pool might not hold on gfi breakers. If the lights and motors are updated then maybe they could.

 

[letgomywago]

If the GFI circuit breaker will not remain closed is there a reason to de-energize?

Not accornding to his AHJ. Oregon doesnt have to meet current rules on existing installs so then it comes down to weather to gfi an old install it's down to your own comfort. Old pools allowed 20ma leakage current not 5ma

 

[tortuga]

Its defiantly getting a new pump.
Panel will have all GFCI breakers all wiring will be new to the pump.
I am not planning on reconnecting the only pool light.
I will pull out the light and check it out, see if I can get them a new one.
I think its one of those thats on a cord so you pull it to the surface for re-lamping.
There is no other electrical related to the pool other than a low voltage solar controller.

 

[tortuga]

I am curious to know more about that. Could you describe what's going on with solar and the swimming pool.
Thanks

There is a solar thermal array on the pool house roof to heat the pool water.
There are some low voltage sensors and valves that control it.
More info on the control units here:

Heliodyne Products/Systems - Control Units - Delta-T

 

[Dennis Alwon]

you still new to bond the pump and connect it to the pool bonding or the equipotential bonding (perimeter bonding) . My guess is none of that exists so I am not sure what you can do other than make sure the pump has an equipment grounding conductor.

I would use any ground clamp that is UL listed for direct burial and it should be fine in the pump room. Have they gone back with salt water or are they still using chlorine? The salt is not as bad as the chlorine itself, even though the salt is basically turned into chlorine

Salt systems are actually chlorine generators, using a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis happens by sending electricity through saltwater (sodium chloride, or NaCl), which interacts with the chloride ion in the salt. This creates chlorine in the water, and a very high-pH byproduct called sodium Hydroxide.