Boding within 5' of a Manufactured Spa

[Jeff Gerling]

In reading section 680.42 and 680.43, I read that portable spas need to comply with Part 1 and Part II of section 680. Section 680.26(B)(7) requires bonding of metallic parts within 5' of the water's edge. However, I have been told by more than one electrician that the bonding of metal parts is not required within 5' of the water's edge in a portable spa. This baffles me because how does electrical current know if you are in a portable/manufactured spa? Does it somehow act differently? I am hoping someone here can explain what I am missing, or are all the electricians in my area misinformed?

 

[augie47]

There is a TIA that changed the bonding requirements in 680.42.
Many areas allowed the TIA to cover hot tub installations under the '08 Code.
Your AHJ should be able to advise if you can take advantage of the less stringent requirements.

View attachment TIA70-11-1.pdf

 

[Jeff Gerling]

There is a TIA that changed the bonding requirements in 680.42.
Many areas allowed the TIA to cover hot tub installations under the '08 Code.
Your AHJ should be able to advise if you can take advantage of the less stringent requirements.

View attachment 11939

Thanks for the reply. Yes even the 2014 code has a section that sort of follows the logic of this TIA. This TIA seems mainly to address the equipotential bonding rather than addressing metal enclosures or other metal parts within 5' of the hot tub. In the particular case I am addressing, there was a hot tub installed on a back porch and the aluminum structure of the screen room was within 12" of the outer edge of the hot tub. In other words, someone might be compelled to use the metal of the enclosure as a method to keep their balance while getting in and out of the tub. The horizontal beam also makes the perfect place to rest drink containers and other items used while in the hot tub. Again, it just seems to me that if someone can reasonably touch the metal surface while in the hot tub, then it should be bonded together. It just seems to me that 680.42(B) requires it whether it's manufactured or site built. Thanks for your response!

 

[augie47]

If I read the TIA correctly it exempts metal objects greater than 30" away. It sounds that in your situation, boning would be a requirement.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe the TIA is about perimeter surfaces not metal objects within 5'.

 

[augie47]

I believe the TIA is about perimeter surfaces not metal objects within 5'.

Took you to get my head straight Thanks!
I read, or more to the point mis-read, that a dozen times.

So going back to the OP....
Since 680.42 for outdoor hot tubs references Parts I and II of Art 680, would all meal parts listed in 680.26(B)(7) need to be bonded and if so, to what, since we don't have a perimeter bond per the TIA ?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Took you to get my head straight Thanks!
I read, or more to the point mis-read, that a dozen times.

So going back to the OP....
Since 680.42 for outdoor hot tubs references Parts I and II of Art 680, would all meal parts listed in 680.26(B)(7) need to be bonded and if so, to what, since we don't have a perimeter bond per the TIA ?

Just like a pool Gus-- take it back to the motor lug on the hot tub

 

[Jeff Gerling]

Just like a pool Gus-- take it back to the motor lug on the hot tub

Dennis,
Thanks for the response. I took a peak at your profile, and with over 27,000 posts, I would tend to think you could be considered kind of an expert in electrical . I think that resolves the issue for me and I really appreciate you weighing in.

 

[augie47]

Dennis,
Thanks for the response. I took a peak at your profile, and with over 27,000 posts, I would tend to think you could be considered kind of an expert in electrical . I think that resolves the issue for me and I really appreciate you weighing in.

That's him

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Dennis,
Thanks for the response. I took a peak at your profile, and with over 27,000 posts, I would tend to think you could be considered kind of an expert in electrical . I think that resolves the issue for me and I really appreciate you weighing in.

I wouldn't go by the number of posts-- some of it is jibber jabber. But I think I am correct on this issue. Pools are a very challenging area and it is hard to get agreement on it.