Outdoor hot tub Disconnect safety switch the same?

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

eljefetaco

Member
Location
Fanwood, NJ
Don't think this is the best way to install a hot tub outdoors, but I think it meets code. Hot tub is 50a, 240v requires GFCI protection. 1. Install 60amp 240v gfci breaker at main panel. 2. Install 60amp fusable disconnect with 5' of Hot tub (will a pull out disconnect not work? i.e. one for AC) 3. Install 50amp fuses 4. Bond concrete pad to disconnect with solid #8. Just seems odd you can have disconnect within 5'. 680.41 is a safety switch tha same thing as a disconnect? It is for one home in a condo complex. I know that refers to non single family dwelling. Any input on my run sentences?
 
Safety switch is the same as a disconnect.
Disconnect can not be closer than 5'- 680.12
It does not need to be fused.
Pull out type is fine.
680-41 does not apply to single family dwelling units. In most cases this would apply to a condo.
 
Last edited:
Couple of questions for the OP...
1) If hot tub requires 50 amp circuit, why run 60? I can't really see anything wrong with doing so, just curious.
2) If you use a P.O. disco, how do you plan to terminate the Neutral wire? Most have no provisions for the N. conductor. I typically use a 2-circuit 70 amp rated 3R loadcenter and anther 2-pole circuit breaker in this application.

Other than those questions, the only thing I think you are misreading is the 5' rule, disconnect must be no CLOSER than 5' from the edge of the tub, not within 5'.
 
I read 680.41 wrong. Thinking of running 60amp feeder because I have proper wire and new GFCI breaker I never returned from previous job. For the disconnect it just has to be within sight and not closer than 5'. I thought you only had to have disconnect for the ungrounded conductors. If I need to disconnect neutral would a 3 phase disconnect work?
 
Last edited:
You don't need to disconnect the neutral. You just need to have a disconnect with a neutral bar. Most "pull outs" don't have a neutral bar.

A 2pole disconnect with a neutral bar and a ground bar would work fine.
 
Way i did mine was 50 amp breaker at main panel then at hot tub put in 50 amp gfi. You can buy the box and breaker fo about $50 at big orange. Has added advantage that you could just hit the test button and kill it. For added safety i painted the box red but that was not required. And no you don't disconnect the neutral just the hots. Do check details of tub mine required #4
 
eleje , As Jim said the box stores sale a disconnect with the 50 gfci all ready installed.
What makes this good. The disco with the 50amp gfci is about the same price as buying the gfci alone.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top