is a plug a disconnect for a hot tub ?

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Stevenfyeager

Senior Member
Location
United States, Indiana
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electrical contractor
A customer says they have a used hot tub coming with a 15 ' cord 120 v 30 amp plug. I usually mount a gfi disconnect subpanel within sight of the tub. But if I gfi the circuit in the service panel with a gfci breaker, would an outside plug count as a disconnect ? Thanks
 
Yes a plug is a disconnecting means, BUT is that plug from the manufacturer? Disconnecting means on a spa must be at least 5' away from the inside wall of the spa (680.13) however (680.21 A(3)) requires cords for motors to be no longer than 3'. If it didn't come with the spa I'm not sure if it would be compliant. I'm curious to see what others come up with.
 
the customer sent a photo of a regular 120v plug (with gfci buttons) (20 amp) But the previous owner says they can only operate the jets or the heat separately. Something tells me this has been jerry rigged. The specs she sent me show 115 v / 30 amp option or 240v/40 amp option. I will only give an estimate for one of these. Thanks
 
Stevenfyeager said:
the customer sent a photo of a regular 120v plug (with gfci buttons) (20 amp) But the previous owner says they can only operate the jets or the heat separately. Something tells me this has been jerry rigged. The specs she sent me show 115 v / 30 amp option or 240v/40 amp option. I will only give an estimate for one of these. Thanks
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The major spa vendors have their wiring diagrams and specs on-line. My spa had a 120V 15A cord for the factory connection from the showroom, it had to be dealer modified for 240V 50A.
 
SSDriver said:
Yes a plug is a disconnecting means, BUT is that plug from the manufacturer? Disconnecting means on a spa must be at least 5' away from the inside wall of the spa (680.13) however (680.21 A(3)) requires cords for motors to be no longer than 3'. If it didn't come with the spa I'm not sure if it would be compliant. I'm curious to see what others come up with.
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This is not a cord supplying an art 430 motor, it is supplying an appliance, and on top of that one that falls under parts of art 680.
 
kwired said:
and the heater is only 1200 watts instead of 3-5000 like you typically find with 240 volt models. Usually a somewhat small "tub" as well.
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Any given heater element will run at 1/4 power on 120v as compared to on 240v.
 
LarryFine said:
Any given heater element will run at 1/4 power on 120v as compared to on 240v.
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True, and it may actually be same thing as a 4800 watt 240 volt element, or it may not be.

On a unit that can be reconfigured for use @ 240 volts it may be the 4800 watt element. I once had spa similar to what is described here, pretty sure it was labeled 1200 watt 120 volt on the heater assembly (I had put parts into it several times while I had it, but never the element). Don't know that I would want to try it on 240 volts.
 
I'm referring to the convertible (dual-voltage) type. They must be on 240v to heat during high-speed pump use.
 
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