I just failed a rough in inspection for running romex from a switch to the pool transformer. The inspector said 12/2 MC was required from the panel to the switch, then from the switch to the pool transformer. I have never failed an inspection for this before and have wired thousands of pools. Any comments?
Inspector Requires MC for Pool Transformer in Single Family House
- Thread starter DParrish
- Start date
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mistermudd
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington State
I am kind of shooting from the hip but IMO NM is okay for single family dwelling pools only. What are you working on?
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
The section in question is 680.23(F). Per this section, if the branch circuit supplying the pool light transformer is within a raceway and contains an insulated EGC, an NM cable reverse fed switch-loop to the inside of the dwelling would be in compliance.
You would not be permittted to pick up an NM branch circuit at the switch location to feed the pool light transformer. In this case, the branch circuit from supplying panelboard to switch, and from switch to transformer would have to be MC or one of the other wiring methods mentioned in the section.
Where exactly are you at and what jurisdiction are you dealing with?
You would not be permittted to pick up an NM branch circuit at the switch location to feed the pool light transformer. In this case, the branch circuit from supplying panelboard to switch, and from switch to transformer would have to be MC or one of the other wiring methods mentioned in the section.
Where exactly are you at and what jurisdiction are you dealing with?
stretch12
Member
- Location
- taxachusetts
imo you need an insulated egc for the feeder .no light nm ok in my area
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
DParrish said:
I have to agree with the inspector although it does not have to be mc exclusively. It could be conduit, etc as Bryan stated with reference to 680..23(F)(1)
Bryan I do not see where NM is allowed at all. Could you please elaborate.
cloudymacleod
Senior Member
i agree with dennis, u r not allowed to use romex for pools. u do need an insulated ground with the feed/branch circuit, i would go with mc, it has an insulated ground and it's far cheaper than conduit. i would go with pvc conduit than steel for price reasons also, if u prefer to use any type of conduit though.
I don't agree that 680.23(F)(1) applies to the primary side of the transformer, it is dealing with with raceways connecting to the fixtures, boxes and enclosures directly connected to the fixture wiring and the exception is dealing with the secondary side of the transformer.
Roger
Roger
mpd said:
No, the primary is not the supply side, it is isolated from the fixture by it's very nature, the secondary is the supply.
Pool light transformers are not autotransformer's so there is no physical connection between the primary and secondary, only magnetic coupling.
Roger
mpd said:
The circuit to the transformer is not the branch circuit to the fixture, as a matter of fact, it's not a branch circuit at all, it's a feeder to an SDS, so you can use romex.
On the secondary side of this SDS I agree that 680.23(F)(1) applies.
Roger
stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
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stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
This is exactly why I use X10 controls for my pool lights.
roger
I agree you have pointed out a poorly worded section, but I can tell you anybody who runs romex to a transformer for a pool light will fail inspection 9 out of 10 times, the only one that will pass will be the curbside inspection (that never happens), but you have made an excellent point, so you are saying art 680 does not address that wiring method to the transformer?
I agree you have pointed out a poorly worded section, but I can tell you anybody who runs romex to a transformer for a pool light will fail inspection 9 out of 10 times, the only one that will pass will be the curbside inspection (that never happens), but you have made an excellent point, so you are saying art 680 does not address that wiring method to the transformer?
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M. D.
Senior Member
Branch circuit. The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
I think it fits the definition. 680.23 (f) (1) says the wiring on the supply side of enclosures/ junction boxes connected to conduits run to pool lights.
If I asked you to point to the supply side of the transformer do you point to the load side , running to the light
I think it fits the definition. 680.23 (f) (1) says the wiring on the supply side of enclosures/ junction boxes connected to conduits run to pool lights.
If I asked you to point to the supply side of the transformer do you point to the load side , running to the light
stretch12
Member
- Location
- taxachusetts
mass 05 has amendments to nec stating that in a one family dwelling u could use mn to feed a pool pump no lights.same as using ser to feed a panel for pool equip. that does not have an ins egc either
sum one from mass chime in and tell me im not crazy
sum one from mass chime in and tell me im not crazy
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