Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
- Thread starter al
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jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
2005 NEC:
680.9 Electric Pool Water Heaters
All electric pool water heaters shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over 60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall not be less than 125 percent of the total nameplate-rated load.
This was the only thing I found that was spa-related that mentioned 125%. This section is in Part I of the article, and Part I applies to spas.
[ December 30, 2005, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
2005 NEC:
680.9 Electric Pool Water Heaters
All electric pool water heaters shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over 60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall not be less than 125 percent of the total nameplate-rated load.
This was the only thing I found that was spa-related that mentioned 125%. This section is in Part I of the article, and Part I applies to spas.
[ December 30, 2005, 11:33 AM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
electricman2
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
Would it be safe to say that spa/hot tub would be a continuous load (+3hour), thus be figured at 125%?
Would it be safe to say that spa/hot tub would be a continuous load (+3hour), thus be figured at 125%?
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
The heater will not likely run for more than three hours without cycling off and then on again. The circulating pump will run 24/7, but that is already covered by the motor rules (in 430).
The heater will not likely run for more than three hours without cycling off and then on again. The circulating pump will run 24/7, but that is already covered by the motor rules (in 430).
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
Update,
Recieved pre-delivery info from Hot Springs
They show #8 wire and a 50A breaker in the main panel feeding a sub panel. Is this not a violation of 240.4 as I dont see any exceptions for hot tubs
Also, no mention of a EP in the instructions
If you want to look at the instructions:
http://www.hotspring.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi?c=4&f=pdfs/pre-delivery_instruct_05.pdf
Update,
Recieved pre-delivery info from Hot Springs
They show #8 wire and a 50A breaker in the main panel feeding a sub panel. Is this not a violation of 240.4 as I dont see any exceptions for hot tubs
Also, no mention of a EP in the instructions
If you want to look at the instructions:
http://www.hotspring.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi?c=4&f=pdfs/pre-delivery_instruct_05.pdf
marissa2
Senior Member
- Location
- Connecticut
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
charlie b
Here in CT, if you change the water every three months like the instruction recommend, sooner or later you will have to it in the winter. The new water is about 55 degrees, unless you fill it with hot water but with 300 gallons I don't want to do that, in the summer its about 70 degrees. The heat-up rate is about 3 to 5 degrees per hour which means on my unit the heaters and one pump will run much longer then three hours to bring the temp back to 102 degrees. I have found this to be the case on any Hot Tub that I have wired.
Lou
charlie b
Here in CT, if you change the water every three months like the instruction recommend, sooner or later you will have to it in the winter. The new water is about 55 degrees, unless you fill it with hot water but with 300 gallons I don't want to do that, in the summer its about 70 degrees. The heat-up rate is about 3 to 5 degrees per hour which means on my unit the heaters and one pump will run much longer then three hours to bring the temp back to 102 degrees. I have found this to be the case on any Hot Tub that I have wired.
Lou
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
From what I read in part IV in article 680, there is no mention of sizing to 125% so I would go by the nameplate rating for circuit sizing. I don't believe Part 1 of 680 pertains to spas or hot tubs. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
From what I read in part IV in article 680, there is no mention of sizing to 125% so I would go by the nameplate rating for circuit sizing. I don't believe Part 1 of 680 pertains to spas or hot tubs. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
See section 680.40
A/A Fuel GTX
Senior Member
- Location
- WI & AZ
- Occupation
- Electrician
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
Thanks.....My bad. What about the circuit sizing? Is the nameplate information adequate or do we go to 125% of the rating? I can't see anything that defines this.
Thanks.....My bad. What about the circuit sizing? Is the nameplate information adequate or do we go to 125% of the rating? I can't see anything that defines this.
Re: Hot Tub/Spa wire Ampacity and Breaker Size
According to the Mfg. the electrical requirements are:
"230 volt, 50 amp Single phase GFCI protected circuit"
And to further complicate things the diagrams show a 50A breaker with #8 wire
How do these units ever get a listing?
They should say: minimum circuit ampacity 40A,
maximum overcuurent device 50A
[ January 04, 2006, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: al ]
According to the Mfg. the electrical requirements are:
"230 volt, 50 amp Single phase GFCI protected circuit"
And to further complicate things the diagrams show a 50A breaker with #8 wire
How do these units ever get a listing?
They should say: minimum circuit ampacity 40A,
maximum overcuurent device 50A
[ January 04, 2006, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: al ]
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