Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

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ddcawley

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I have an out of doors residential hot tub that is going to be placed on a slab with a deck built around it. The plumber has suggested to the customer that a ground rod be driven for it. Would it be beneficial to add this supplementary ground rod to minimize touch potential or is the resistance too great to prove effective? I believe Mike has stated that grounding electrodes are only effective as a path for lightning. If this is the case,what supplementary bonding may help? Remember, this isn't a pool where I can bond the rebar before the concrete pour. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

In my opinion, the ground rod does nothing. Ask your plumber if he would appreciate you giving out plumbing advice to his clients!
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

A ground rod will serve no purpose for this particular installation. Perform all required non-current carrying metallic part bonding, wire with a properly sized and connected EGC, and you will have a safe and compliant installation.
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

Just a thought, is this tub and deck a separate structure from the house?

Is this a feeder or more than one branch circuit?

250.32(A) might very well require a ground rod for this. ;)
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

iwire might be on to something. What if this hot tub is separate from the house and is fed from a sub-panel mounted nearby? Wouldn't a ground rod be needed? :)
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

If there is a subpanel nearby and separte from the house, and if it supplies more than one circuit, then 250.32(A) would require a grounding electrode at the subpanel. But, unless the hot tub is supplied by more than one circuit, the exception to 250.32 (A) should eliminate any requirement for a grounding electrode for the hot tub on it's own.
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

Originally posted by taylorp:
iwire might be on to something. What if this hot tub is separate from the house and is fed from a sub-panel mounted nearby? Wouldn't a ground rod be needed? :)
Click to expand...
Are you guys getting advice from the plumber too?
 
Re: Adding Ground Rod to Hot Tub?

I personally don't like the idea of bonding the the "Earthed" parts of a pool or spa to the system EGC. This puts the pool or spa in parallel with the grounding electrode system and bad things can happen when neutrals open or when stray currents become present.
 
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