Hot Tub Disconnect

[Dennis Alwon]

If a residential single family hot tub has a main breaker disconnect under the shroud of the tub is another disconnect needed? Assume it disconnects everything.

 

[texie]

680.13 requires a disconnecting means at least 5' away. No?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

680.13 requires a disconnecting means at least 5' away. No?

Yes but wouldn't the breaker in the unit be a disconnect the same as for an electric furnace. The disconnect is to work on the equipment so being under the tub where the equipment is seems appropriate then why the need for another disconnect .

 

[Little Bill]

Yes but wouldn't the breaker in the unit be a disconnect the same as for an electric furnace. The disconnect is to work on the equipment so being under the tub where the equipment is seems appropriate then why the need for another disconnect .

You would still have voltage on the line side of the disconnect.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You would still have voltage on the line side of the disconnect.

You have voltage on the line side of a furnace and it is compliant as long as the unit switch disconnects everything

 

[Dennis Alwon]

680.13 requires a disconnecting means at least 5' away. No?

Yes but not under the tub otherwise the controls wouldn't be allowed there either

 

[Little Bill]

You have voltage on the line side of a furnace and it is compliant as long as the unit switch disconnects everything

I was just pointing out that even if the switch was off there would still be voltage and that might be the reason they required the disco to be 5'+ away. I agree with the on-board disco, just guessing why code might not allow it.

 

[romex jockey]

and that might be the reason they required the disco to be 5'+ away

well, that, and the folks that just have to play lectrican while in the forkin' thing.......~RJ~

 

[hillbilly1]

I would think that disconnect requirement is for life safety, if someone was getting shocked or electrocuted in the tub, it would provide a quick means of disconnect while being far enough away to not entrap the person killing the power. At least that’s what I would think the reasoning would be.

 

[Buck Parrish]

I would think that disconnect requirement is for life safety, if someone was getting shocked or electrocuted in the tub, it would provide a quick means of disconnect while being far enough away to not entrap the person killing the power. At least that’s what I would think the reasoning would be.

No, nobody cares for a private residential tub. The disco is for the repair man. Now commercial as you know has to have the emergency cut off for reasons you described,

 

[LarryFine]

Yes but wouldn't the breaker in the unit be a disconnect the same as for an electric furnace. The disconnect is to work on the equipment so being under the tub where the equipment is seems appropriate then why the need for another disconnect .

The furnace disconnect must be accessible from the outside, without having to remove an access cover.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The furnace disconnect must be accessible from the outside, without having to remove an access cover.

I agree and some have a hinged cover. If not would a disconnect mounted under the tub be compliant?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would think that disconnect requirement is for life safety, if someone was getting shocked or electrocuted in the tub, it would provide a quick means of disconnect while being far enough away to not entrap the person killing the power. At least that’s what I would think the reasoning would be.

I don't think so that's why the single family is exempt from the emo disconnect that is required for other constructions

 

[hillbilly1]

No, nobody cares for a private residential tub. The disco is for the repair man. Now commercial as you know has to have the emergency cut off for reasons you described,

And you know that for a fact?……..

 

[Dennis Alwon]

And you know that for a fact?……..

Well 680.13 states Maintenance Disconnect

680.13 Maintenance Disconnecting Means. One or more
means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors
shall be provided for all utilization equipment other than
lighting. 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, or
hot tub unless separated from the open water by a permanently
installed barrier that provides a 1.5 m (5 ft) reach path or
greater. This horizontal distance shall be measured from the
water's edge along the shortest path required to reach the
disconnect.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

That section doesn't make sense. The disconnect must be 5' away from the pool or tub edge unless separated by a barrier and then it still must be 5' away.

So by the strict interpretation the disconnect cannot be under the tub unless the tub is sunken in a deck where there would be 5' separation. I was thinking the barrier was all that was needed.

It was a thought... I know I did a sunken tub (deck built around the tub and I put the disconnect under the deck but IMO, if the manufacturer installed a main then I am thinking it would not be necessary in that case.

 

[kwired]

No, nobody cares for a private residential tub. The disco is for the repair man. Now commercial as you know has to have the emergency cut off for reasons you described,

I have to look again but isn't the emergency stop primarily for non packaged spas regardless if commercial or residential?

The packaged spa has a disconnect nearby regardless. Others usually have remote pumps and other equipment, which still require disconnecting means for the service guy, but with that arrangement there may be no way for users to shut down in an emergency situation.