ARTICLE 680 - SPA AND HOT TUB ASSISTANCE - DISCONNECT LOCATIONS

[Cybatrex]

I'm really confused with what to do here because of the code rules, I can use a suggestion or two.

The conductors going to the disconnect may be about 5 feet horizontally as if I was looking from a birds eye views according to 680.10 it has to be in rigid metal conduit.

680.12 Each means shall be readily accessible and within sight from its equipment and shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, spa, fountain, orhot tub unless separated from the open water by a permanently installed barrier that provides a 1.5 m (5 ft) reach path or greater.

680.10 Underground wiring shall not be permitted under the pool orwithin the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside wall of the pool unless this wiring is necessary to supply pool equipment permitted by this article. Where space limitations prevent wiring from being routed a distance 1.5 m (5 ft) or more from the pool, such wiring shall be permitted where installed in complete raceway systems of rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or a nonmetallic raceway system.

Can non metallic raceway system be PVC?

If I win my conduit outside of the pool cage, it says nothing about the disconnect being at the bottom rather than at my waist height can you see this as a problem?

Also, it says that the disconnect has to be there but can it be on the side wall outside the pool cage separated by screen?

I would appreciate the best advise and if you can supply the code references so I can learn, I would appreciate it.

 

[Cybatrex]

Anyone?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Article 680

A disconnect can be less than 5' from the pool if it is separated by a permanent barrier. Seems you have that. Not sure how you will bond the tub to the pool equipotential bonding.

 

[Craigv]

What code cycle will this be?

PVC is non-metallic raceway.

"Readily accessible" can be interpreted as being within the same room...so the screen doorway to access outside the enclosure may be a problem. And locating it on that block wall means it isn't readily visible from in the pool or spa.

I'm unsure what you mean by "at the bottom" regarding the disconnect height. I would expect the disconnect to be easy to access in an emergency...that's just about the entire intent of this area of 680...to have a disconnect that isn't so close that a person could reach it while touching the water, but close enough, visible, and easy to operate in an emergency. Running to a doorway, through it, then having to bend or kneel to reach under a 3R lid to hit a breaker? I wouldn't do that even if it's allowed.

 

[Cybatrex]

Article 680

A disconnect can be less than 5' from the pool if it is separated by a permanent barrier. Seems you have that. Not sure how you will bond the tub to the pool equipotential bonding.

I just read this about the equipotential bonding requirements and I'm unsure about 1 thing.

Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance
wit h 680.26(B)(2) shall not be required to be provided for spas
and hot tubs where all of the following conditions apply:
(1) The spa or hot tub shall be listed as a self-contained spa
for aboveground use.
(2) The spa or hot tub shall not be identified as suitable only
for indoor use.
(3) The installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and shall be located on or above grade.
(4) The top rim of the spa or hot tub shall be at least 710 mm
(28 in.) above all perimeter surfaces that are within 760 mm
(30 in.), measured horizontally from the spa or hot tub. The
height of nonconductive external steps for entry to or exit
from the self-contained spa shall not be used to reduce or
increase this rim height measurement.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

What code cycle will this be?

I read the 2017 but it hasn't changed in years

PVC is non-metallic raceway.

Yes

"Readily accessible" can be interpreted as being within the same room...so the screen doorway to access outside the enclosure may be a problem. And locating it on that block wall means it isn't readily visible from in the pool or spa.

Not IMO or by definition but I guess one can debate it.

I'm unsure what you mean by "at the bottom" regarding the disconnect height.

I never said anything about the disconnect height as there is no rule on the height.

I would expect the disconnect to be easy to access in an emergency...that's just about the entire intent of this area of 680...to have a disconnect that isn't so close that a person could reach it while touching the water, but close enough, visible, and easy to operate in an emergency. Running to a doorway, through it, then having to bend or kneel to reach under a 3R lid to hit a breaker? I wouldn't do that even if it's allowed.

Read 680.13-- they are speaking of a maintenance disconnect. The problem may be if you are facing inside the tub you cannot see the disconnect. I have heard others get called on this.. Speak to your inspector.

 

[Craigv]

I read the 2017 but it hasn't changed in years

Yes

Not IMO or by definition but I guess one can debate it.


I never said anything about the disconnect height as there is no rule on the height.



Read 680.13-- they are speaking of a maintenance disconnect. The problem may be if you are facing inside the tub you cannot see the disconnect. I have heard others get called on this.. Speak to your inspector.

Sorry for any confusion. To clarify, my post was in response to the OP....We responded within minutes of each other.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I probably posted my response thinking you were the op...hahaha

 

[cpinetree]

The disconnect for the spa can be on the wall of the house inside the cage, as long as it is within site and greater than 5' from pool / spa edge. Outside the cage would not work, it would not be readily accesible (At least around here).

There have a been a few times we have mounted the disconnect inside the cage and then piped 40' to the spa on the outside of the cage to hit the spa.

 

[kwired]

Art 100 definitions:

In Sight From (Within Sight From, Within Sight).
Where this Code specifies that one equipment shall be “in sight from,” “within sight from,” or “within sight of,” and so forth, another equipment, the specified equipment is to be visible and not more than 15 m (50 ft) distant from the other.

I don't know how many spas I have connected on a wood deck that wasn't much larger then the spa and placed disconnect outside deck railing yet still "in sight from" the spa. Where else are you going to put it in that situation? No place on the deck for it that is more then 5 feet from the spa.

As long as it is "in sight from" the spa someone that shut it off to work on the spa can still see it and know whether or not someone is possibly going to turn it on. If they are subject to even moderately strict safe work practices, they are opening the disconnect and then locking it so it can be operated before doing their maintenance or repairs.

Most spa installations I have ever done is not possible to place the disconnect where you can see it at all times when working in the controls section of the spa, and IMO is stupid to try to enforce such a disconnect location, only way practical to see it at all times when working on that equipment is for it to be inside the mechanical access panel of the spa, but it isn't allowed to be there:blink: