Bonding (Aboveground Pool)

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Fast1911

Fast1911

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I have read numerous threads on this site concerning pool bonding. Specifically aboveground pool installations. I would just like some feedback to make sure I am understanding 680.26 correctly.

Scenario:
24' Metal Shell Aboveground Pool with Vinyl Liner
Metal Pump Motor Housing
Pool is 52" Tall
Pool to be installed in middle of yard with no paving or concrete
No other metal parts associated within or around 20' of pool

680.26(B)(1) states vinyl liners to be non-conductive surfaces. If the vinyl liner is in direct contact with the earth then a bonding grid underneath the pool should not be necessary.

680.26(B)(2) states that a perimeter bond needs to be installed to extend 3' from the inside walls of the pool and bonded at 4 points. It states a non-conductive pool shell does not need to be bonded. Obviously in the scenario stated above this is not the case. The way I would approach this is based on 680.26(B)(2)(b) Alternate Means: Install 1 8 AWG Solid conductor 18" to 24" around the perimeter of the pool at a depth of 4" to 6" and bond 4 points of the pool shell and bond the motor housing.

680.26(C) Intentional bond of a minimum 9 in. squared. This should be a conductive piece 81 square inches in size in direct contact with water at all times. Some of the items specified in other threads should meet this requirement.

I think this would satisfy the code in my opinion. Please let me know what your thoughts are on this and if this is not the proper interpretation.
 
Fast1911 said:
680.26(B)(1) states vinyl liners to be non-conductive surfaces. If the vinyl liner is in direct contact with the earth then a bonding grid underneath the pool should not be necessary.
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I agree the pool liner is non conductive but I am not sure where you got the second part of your statement from. I see nothing about that either way.

680.26(B)(2) states that a perimeter bond needs to be installed to extend 3' from the inside walls of the pool and bonded at 4 points. It states a non-conductive pool shell does not need to be bonded. Obviously in the scenario stated above this is not the case. The way I would approach this is based on 680.26(B)(2)(b) Alternate Means: Install 1 8 AWG Solid conductor 18" to 24" around the perimeter of the pool at a depth of 4" to 6" and bond 4 points of the pool shell and bond the motor housing.
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I agree but I don't believe you need the four points. The four points is for a conductive shell. Read the last sentence of the first paragraph in 680.26(B)(2).

680.26(C) Intentional bond of a minimum 9 in. squared. This should be a conductive piece 81 square inches in size in direct contact with water at all times. Some of the items specified in other threads should meet this requirement.
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Agreed. Safe bond 680 is one of them.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I agree the pool liner is non conductive but I am not sure where you got the second part of your statement from. I see nothing about that either way.
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I was reading out of the 2008 Handbook. Page 1044 states a vinyl lined pool is not conductive and does not require a bonding grid.


Dennis Alwon said:
I agree but I don't believe you need the four points. The four points is for a conductive shell. Read the last sentence of the first paragraph in 680.26(B)(2).
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The "outer" shell that the vinyl liner attaches to is metal. I figured this would have to be part of the perimeter bond.
 
Fast1911 said:
I was reading out of the 2008 Handbook. Page 1044 states a vinyl lined pool is not conductive and does not require a bonding grid.
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I was responding to this part of your post.
If the vinyl liner is in direct contact with the earth then a bonding grid underneath the pool should not be necessary.
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I am not sure where that came from.

The "outer" shell that the vinyl liner attaches to is metal. I figured this would have to be part of the perimeter bond.
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Agreed. The equipotential bond includes all metal parts associated with the pool.
 
OK, I guess my question is: Is there a requirement for a bonding grid under a vinly lined pool? (B)(1) says Vinyl liners and fiberglass composite shells shall be considered to be non-conductive materials. That being said, the handbook(which I know isn't the Code Book) has a paragraph that states "Fiberglass and vinyl lined pools are not considered to be conductive pool shells and are not subject to having a bonding grid installed around the entire contour of the pool shell".

I would think you still need the perimeter bond and tie that into the metal shell, just not have the grid underneath it.
 
Fast1911 said:
I would think you still need the perimeter bond and tie that into the metal shell, just not have the grid underneath it.
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Sorry I thought I was clear but I guess I wasn't. I agree with you perimeter ---bond 18"-24" around the pool 4"-6" deep and tied to the metal shell and all other metal parts including the pump. No need for a grid under the pool.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Sorry I thought I was clear but I guess I wasn't. I agree with you perimeter ---bond 18"-24" around the pool 4"-6" deep and tied to the metal shell and all other metal parts including the pump. No need for a grid under the pool.
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No need for apologies, discussing anything related to code sometimes can be difficult asking or answering :)

I really appreciate the help, hope this helps others also.
 
mcelweec@gmail.com said:
thats "capable of holding 42" of water" op states that overall pool is 50" tall.
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He says 52" tall but I am assuming that will hold 42" of water. Heck you can fill a pool to the top so it really doesn't matter if it were 50 inches tall. A 44 inch tall pool would also be considered a permanent pool, IMO.
 
Ok nowi I'm confused

Ok nowi I'm confused

If the pool pump is supplied by a 120 gfic 100ft away (cord and plug) why would you need any ground at all ?? The gfi "Isolates" the circuits. Simliar to replacing (two prong only) recepts w/GFCI. I might see the need to connect the pump housing to the pool shell, but would that not also provide a path(during fault conditions) to energize the shell and water?? A bird can set on a 10.000v wire because it it isolated (no ground path), ??? If there is no way to energize the pool,then It is safer?? Electricity takes the least path of resistance(through the pump motor to a ground rod) and if there is no way to provide a ground path through the water, would that not be safer?? just my theory --its Kinda hard to test w/ empirical data. Sticking a electrode inside of the pool sounds like a good way to create an electoplating process.
 
Are you talking about the equipotential bonding? If so that has nothing to do with a GFCI. It is to equalize the potential for stray voltages that may arise from anywhere-- power lines etc....
 
rt66electric said:
If the pool pump is supplied by a 120 gfic 100ft away (cord and plug) why would you need any ground at all ?? The gfi "Isolates" the circuits. Simliar to replacing (two prong only) recepts w/GFCI. I might see the need to connect the pump housing to the pool shell, but would that not also provide a path(during fault conditions) to energize the shell and water?? A bird can set on a 10.000v wire because it it isolated (no ground path), ??? If there is no way to energize the pool,then It is safer?? Electricity takes the least path of resistance(through the pump motor to a ground rod) and if there is no way to provide a ground path through the water, would that not be safer?? just my theory --its Kinda hard to test w/ empirical data. Sticking a electrode inside of the pool sounds like a good way to create an electoplating process.
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ummmmmmmmmm, this thread has nothing to do with GFCI's and grounding :roll:
 
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