Pool grounding...

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chevyx92

Senior Member
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VA BCH, VA
Went out on an inground pool inspection today. I was checking grounding on the ladder and hand rail anchors when I ran into a problem. There are a total of 3 of those anchors. The first one had continuity to ground and so did the second but the 3rd one I couldn't get a reading on at all. I did have a good ground reference as I used an extension cord plugged into an outlet for reference. Here's another thing, theres no continuity between any of the anchors. As far as I know, aren't all the anchors for ladders and handrails suppose to be tied into the common bonding grid? What would you do to fix this situation?
 
chevyx92 said:
....What would you do to fix this situation?
Click to expand...
Time to get out the jackhammer and figure out where your bonding conductor went.

Weren't these inspected before the concrete was poured? :confused:

Here is a typical anchor cup, as it appears before the concrete is poured:

ANKWDG.jpg



edited to add image
 
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kbsparky said:
Time to get out the jackhammer and figure out where your bonding conductor went.

Weren't these inspected before the concrete was poured? :confused:

Here is a typical anchor cup, as it appears before the concrete is poured:

ANKWDG.jpg



edited to add image
Click to expand...
This pool has been in for god knows how long. We were called to do an inpection. That is the anchor I'm referring to.
 
IMO not all of the anchors need to be bonded separately if they are all bonded with the rail installed. Metal fittings not over 4" in any direction do not require bonding. 680.26(B)(3).
 
infinity said:
IMO not all of the anchors need to be bonded separately if they are all bonded with the rail installed. Metal fittings not over 4" in any direction do not require bonding. 680.26(B)(3).
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Right so the pic above is what I'm dealing with, so length wise its over 4" which would require it to be bonded right? Also if the ladder was installed it would bond and ground the last anchor. But is that allowed by code to rely on the to complete the path. I was under the impression that all anchors (of course not if not over 4" in any dimension) had to be bonded.
 
pool bonding

pool bonding

At first.
continuity testers are invalid for this type of testing. Ground resistance testors are required in this state to test all commericial, and some residential pools. The integrity of the pool grounding grid must stay constant within 1 ohm of resistance to pass code in New Jersey.All anchor ladder sockets, handrail anchor sockets, diving boards, water fill supplies, lifeguard stands and so forth must read the same potential to ground within 1 ohm to pass for a pool bonding certificate. We can not use means of an extension cord to read our findings.If you need the procedure for proper testing let me know .Our company does thousands of pool inspections before they can open up for the memorial day holiday season.
 
RUWIREDRITE said:
At first.
continuity testers are invalid for this type of testing. Ground resistance testors are required in this state to test all commericial, and some residential pools. The integrity of the pool grounding grid must stay constant within 1 ohm of resistance to pass code in New Jersey.All anchor ladder sockets, handrail anchor sockets, diving boards, water fill supplies, lifeguard stands and so forth must read the same potential to ground within 1 ohm to pass for a pool bonding certificate. We can not use means of an extension cord to read our findings.If you need the procedure for proper testing let me know .Our company does thousands of pool inspections before they can open up for the memorial day holiday season.
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1 ohm, must be a jersey thing. We don't need ground resistance testers per say to conduct a basic pool inspection here in Va. Hell if I want I could stick one lead from my meter in the earth and the other on the metal object and test to see if I have a path to ground for that matter. I just chose an established ground to use as reference as many do around here. There's nothing wrong with that method.
 
chevyx92 said:
I could stick one lead from my meter in the earth and the other on the metal object and test to see if I have a path to ground for that matter.
Click to expand...


You would not get a reading on your 3/4" metal tip unles you were standing on a water saturated salt mine.
 
RUWIREDRITE said:
At first.
continuity testers are invalid for this type of testing. Ground resistance testors are required in this state to test all commericial, and some residential pools. The integrity of the pool grounding grid must stay constant within 1 ohm of resistance to pass code in New Jersey.All anchor ladder sockets, handrail anchor sockets, diving boards, water fill supplies, lifeguard stands and so forth must read the same potential to ground within 1 ohm to pass for a pool bonding certificate. We can not use means of an extension cord to read our findings.If you need the procedure for proper testing let me know .Our company does thousands of pool inspections before they can open up for the memorial day holiday season.
Click to expand...
That far exceeds the rules in the NEC. The NEC only requires pool bonding, not grounding.
Don
 
As far as I know NJ only requires the testing of pools in commercial locations every 5 years. Not residential pools.
 
mikeames said:
You would not get a reading on your 3/4" metal tip unles you were standing on a water saturated salt mine.
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Next time your near an outside outlet stick one probe in the ground and the other on the hot leg and see if you don't show voltage. I've done this before when I didn't have a good ground reference.
 
RUWIREDRITE said:
The integrity of the pool grounding grid must stay constant within 1 ohm of resistance to pass code in New Jersey.
Click to expand...

Can you point or link to any documents that require that?

I looked hard and all I could find was that the grounding and bonding system must meet the requirements of the electrical sub code.

Here is one document I found.

POOL BONDING AND GROUNDING
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

It appears to me that all you have to do is state the pool meets the code and your good to go. of course it would be your rear in the fire if something happens.

The following statement or similar statement must appear:
? The continuity and integrity of the bonding and grounding system
of the [ pool/spa/hot tub] have been tested and have been found to be
acceptable in accordance with the requirements of the electrical
subcode of the UCC .?
Click to expand...

Is there something in the electrical subcode of the UCC that requires less than one ohm from bonding grid to earth?
 
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