Hot Tub Instructions

[Dennis Alwon]

If you had this what would you think the equipment grounding conductor would need to be. Also what does 6/3 c/w ground mean. Does the C mean cable or conduit.

The confusion is 6/3 c/w ground ( 6 gauge 4 conductors). I assume it means a full size equipment grounding conductor.

 

[kwired]

I say 10 AWG EGC is sufficient. If they want otherwise they need to make it more clear. Only thing they did mention is if the run is over 40 feet - electrician should make appropriate modifications - that would be possibly increase for voltage drop and increase the EGC by same proportion IMO.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I agree that the language is requiring all 4 conductors, the two ungrounded conductors, the grounded conductor, and the EGC, to be 6AWG. That will require a non-standard cable or a 4 conductor w ground cable, and just not use the EGC.

 

[James L]

The instructions also say that it has to have 230 volts.

So you either get a transformer to step it down to 230 volts to satisfy the rigid requirements of what's exactly written, or approach the entire thing with common sense and use a cable that already has an appropriate EGC

 

[kwired]

I agree that the language is requiring all 4 conductors, the two ungrounded conductors, the grounded conductor, and the EGC, to be 6AWG. That will require a non-standard cable or a 4 conductor w ground cable, and just not use the EGC.

I think the language is horrible if that is what they intend. 6/4 cord would come with all four conductors same size, most any other wiring method will have a reduced EGC. And I honestly don't see why it needs to be same size as the ungrounded outside of if there were increased conductor size for voltage drop situation. Also seen many spa's that have supply terminals marked that they need 6 AWG supply conductor, yet they don't really give you sufficient room to run them in the control box.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I think the language is horrible if that is what they intend. 6/4 cord would come with all four conductors same size, most any other wiring method will have a reduced EGC. And I honestly don't see why it needs to be same size as the ungrounded outside of if there were increased conductor size for voltage drop situation. Also seen many spa's that have supply terminals marked that they need 6 AWG supply conductor, yet they don't really give you sufficient room to run them in the control box.

I have seen spa instructions that say "a full size grounding conductor is required.

 

[kwired]

I have seen spa instructions that say "a full size grounding conductor is required.

So have I. What you posted doesn't. They need to make it more clear if that is what they want.

I think all that they might have clarified is you need 4 conductors, for those that maybe have little business wiring the thing in the first place

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The instructions also say that it has to have 230 volts.

So you either get a transformer to step it down to 230 volts to satisfy the rigid requirements of what's exactly written, or approach the entire thing with common sense and use a cable that already has an appropriate EGC

230 volts is the utilization voltage for a 240 volt, nominal system. This is typical for most equipment that is marked with a voltage. The nameplate voltages of 115, 200, 230, and 460 are intended to be use with voltage systems of 120, 208, 240 and 480 respectively.

 

[Hv&Lv]

6/3 conductor/with ground. 4 total.
6/3 c/w ground

 

[James L]

230 volts is the utilization voltage for a 240 volt, nominal system. This is typical for most equipment that is marked with a voltage. The nameplate voltages of 115, 200, 230, and 460 are intended to be use with voltage systems of 120, 208, 240 and 480 respectively.

I get that, but those instructions say must have 230 volts.

My whole point is that sometimes there is a difference between the technical sense of what's written versus the practical sense of application

If we want to get technical on one statement (EGC) then we need to get technical on the other statement (voltage)

And if we want to chalk it up to "typical" on one statement then we need to be able to chalk it up to "typical" on the other

 

[goldstar]

c/w ground = cold water ground IMHO. It also says you have to hire a licensed electrician. There's your second problem.

 

[tortuga]

Its pretty common for a spa to require a full size EGC in the instructions I have wondered if its a UL thing, the thing that bugs me is the need for a neutral, pumps, heater even LED lights can all run off 240. Probably the only thing that uses the 120V is the air blower for jets. I usually only run the full size EGC to the spa disconnect, unless I am piping it the whole way.

 

[LarryFine]

Does the C mean cable or conduit.

Conductor.

The confusion is 6/3 c/w ground ( 6 gauge 4 conductors). I assume it means a full size equipment grounding conductor.

I wouldn't.

What I would probably do is run SER, NM, etc., to the disco, and then use a full-size EGC from there to the tub in a suitable raceway. I noticed it doesn't say conductors must be copper (other than bond).

It also says to look for model-specific instructions.

 

[Little Bill]

If you had this what would you think the equipment grounding conductor would need to be. Also what does 6/3 c/w ground mean. Does the C mean cable or conduit.

The confusion is 6/3 c/w ground ( 6 gauge 4 conductors). I assume it means a full size equipment grounding conductor.

View attachment 2559677

Conductor.


I wouldn't.

What I would probably do is run SER, NM, etc., to the disco, and then use a full-size EGC from there to the tub in a suitable raceway. I noticed it doesn't say conductors must be copper (other than bond).

It also says to look for model-specific instructions.

The "C" means copper. They want 6/3 copper w/ground. All the tubs I have wired required copper.
For the record, I have never ran over a #10 for the EGC. Never even been questioned by an inspector.

 

[Another C10]

Does the C mean cable or conduit.

maybe .. Copper

I say 10 AWG EGC is sufficient

From what I can recall a 6/3 romex comes with a size or 2 smaller for the ground.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The "C" means copper. They want 6/3 copper w/ground. All the tubs I have wired required copper.
For the record, I have never ran over a #10 for the EGC. Never even been questioned by an inspector.

Yesterday I was thinking it meant copper. Of course that only means into the unit. I am sure most electricians and inspectors wouldn't pay attention to this but I always ran a full size equipment grounding conductor to avoid any issues should they arise.