Hydromassage (jacuzzi) tubs.

[sparky723]

I am installing a j. tub for a customer and it will be the first one I have hooked up. Since I have'nt acuired a copy of the '08 NEC yet, I was wondering if anything has changed from the '05 NEC (which I do own).

I looked it up on the web and noticed it states there must be a 'disconnect' for the tub. Can this be as simple as a switch?
What are some of ya'lls experiences? Thanks a bunch!! sparky723

 

[Rewire]

I am installing a j. tub for a customer and it will be the first one I have hooked up. Since I have'nt acuired a copy of the '08 NEC yet, I was wondering if anything has changed from the '05 NEC (which I do own).

I looked it up on the web and noticed it states there must be a 'disconnect' for the tub. Can this be as simple as a switch?
What are some of ya'lls experiences? Thanks a bunch!! sparky723

Why are you five months into 08 and you have yet to purchase a current code book?

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Why are you five months into 08 and you have yet to purchase a current code book?

We are actually 5 months into '09.

Some will not purchase an '08, either because the jurisdiction is not in the '08 yet, or .... I hear that there are rumblings that certain jurisdictions may not even adopt the '08.

 

[nakulak]

I don't work in one jurisdiction that uses 08 yet (as far as I know)

 

[celtic]

I looked it up on the web and noticed it states there must be a 'disconnect' for the tub. Can this be as simple as a switch?

...how about the plug/recept. ~ even simpler

 

[ItsHot]

680.42 a 2 (08)

680.42 a 2 (08)

...how about the plug/recept. ~ even simpler

680.42(A) 2 (08 NEC)!:smile:

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

680.42(A) 2 (08 NEC)!:smile:

Hydromassage tubs (as per the OP), Article 680, Part VII

Hottubs/Spas, Article 680, PartIV


These are two different pieces of equipment, with different requirements.

 

[ItsHot]

code cycle

code cycle

We got to "code cycling", and I had to cycle on out to the hot tub! I thought the op was about hot tubs!

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I was wondering if anything has changed from the '05 NEC (which I do own).

Here is one change but I believe most were doing this anyway.

680.71 Protection.
Hydromassage bathtubs and their associated electrical components shall be on an individual branch circuit(s) and protected by a readily accessible ground-fault circuit interrupter. All 125-volt, single-phase receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes and located within 1.83 m (6 ft) measured horizontally of the inside walls of a hydromassage tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

I believe installing the GFCI recep. under the tub may not meet code anymore. I always use a dead front GFCI Switch on the wall in the bathroom.

 

[infinity]

Here is one change but I believe most were doing this anyway.

I believe installing the GFCI recep. under the tub may not meet code anymore. I always use a dead front GFCI Switch on the wall in the bathroom.

I agree with Dennis, this sort of changes the way things were done in the past with the GFCI receptacle under the tub next tot he motor.

 

[sparky723]

:smile:Thanks for the posts guys. I am getting alot of info. about the tub. I am more of a comm. indus. guy and I am unsure as to what a "dead front" gfci is. Also, I haven't gotten a codebook yet because I am looking for one that is tabbed and hilighted for the test. I have narrowed it down to 2 Dan dudley or Tom Henry. Both approx $200. Any suggestions? I hear these prehilighted ones REALLY help on the test. I take the ICC test. Later.

 

[Rewire]

Here is one change but I believe most were doing this anyway.



I believe installing the GFCI recep. under the tub may not meet code anymore. I always use a dead front GFCI Switch on the wall in the bathroom.

If you check the definition of an Individual branch circuit it eliminates the use of a duplex GFI receptacle altogether.

 

[Rewire]

We are actually 5 months into '09.

Some will not purchase an '08, either because the jurisdiction is not in the '08 yet, or .... I hear that there are rumblings that certain jurisdictions may not even adopt the '08.

08 code 09 year typo thank yopu for making the correction

 

[jimport]

The dead front GFI does not have the slots to allow anything to be plugged into it. It has the same internals as a regular GFI. Make it easier to reset by normally being installed on the wall close to the point of use.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If you check the definition of an Individual branch circuit it eliminates the use of a duplex GFI receptacle altogether.

As mentioned above the GFCI dead front does not have slots.

Edit: I guess you were making a point that the GFCI receptacle wouldn't be legal under the tub because there is 2 places to plug in. I agree. Here is a picture of the dead front.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

08 code 09 year typo thank yopu for making the correction

You are welcome!

 

[Rewire]

As mentioned above the GFCI dead front does not have slots.

Edit: I guess you were making a point that the GFCI receptacle wouldn't be legal under the tub because there is 2 places to plug in. I agree. Here is a picture of the dead front.

whats the cost vs aGFI breaker

 

[Dennis Alwon]

whats the cost vs aGFI breaker

Dead Front Gfci---- $19.00
Gfi Breaker-------- $43.65

 

[Rewire]

Dead Front Gfci---- $19.00
Gfi Breaker-------- $43.65

They would probably be equal when you factor in the labor for installing the dead front.

 

[sparky723]

Thanks guys for the info on the dead front. Now about the pre tabbed and Hilighted codebook.....