Pool Motor 680.21 Cord and Plug Connections

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T74

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I'm wiring an above ground pool. Motor has a regular 120 volt straight blade plug.

Inspector told me it has to be a twist lock but I don't see that anywhere in the book.

Did I miss it?

I did install a weather/ tamper resistant duplex on a GFI breaker.

Any advice?
 
T74 said:
I'm wiring an above ground pool. Motor has a regular 120 volt straight blade plug.

Inspector told me it has to be a twist lock but I don't see that anywhere in the book.

Did I miss it?

I did install a weather/ tamper resistant duplex on a GFI breaker.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

I don't know what code cycle you are under but the 2017 (maybe earlier) changed. 680.22(A)(1) used to say the pumps had to be 10' from the pool but could be not less than 5' if certain conditions were met. The locking receptacle was one of the requirements.
Now in the 2017, the pump motor or circulation equipment is in 680.22(A)(2). It changed to just 6' with no exceptions for being any closer. Also, no mention of a locking receptacle.
You are either on an earlier version of the code or your inspector isn't aware of the change.
 
Little Bill said:
I don't know what code cycle you are under but the 2017 (maybe earlier) changed. 680.22(A)(1) used to say the pumps had to be 10' from the pool but could be not less than 5' if certain conditions were met. The locking receptacle was one of the requirements.
Now in the 2017, the pump motor or circulation equipment is in 680.22(A)(2). It changed to just 6' with no exceptions for being any closer. Also, no mention of a locking receptacle.
You are either on an earlier version of the code or your inspector isn't aware of the change.
Click to expand...


Thanks,

We are in 2017 so I'll bring it up to him.
 
This is from the 2011 NEC:
680.22 Lighting, Receptacles, and Equipment.
(A) Receptacles.
(1) Circulation and Sanitation System, Location. Receptacles that provide power for water-pump motors or for other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation system shall be located at least 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of the pool, or not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of the pool if they meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Consist of single receptacles
(2) Employ a locking configuration
(3) Are of the grounding type
(4) Have GFCI protection
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In the 2014 NEC (A)((1)(2) was dropped. That being said, I believe the twist-lock receptacle was required so that the plug wouldn't fall out due to vibration. From what I remember the pool motors were shipped in from the manufacturer with a std. 15A plug and a 15A cord. We had to change both the cord to a 20A SO cord as well as the plug to a 20A twist lock. Although it's no longer required I still think it's a good idea to make this change IMHO.
 
goldstar said:
This is from the 2011 NEC:

In the 2014 NEC (A)((1)(2) was dropped. That being said, I believe the twist-lock receptacle was required so that the plug wouldn't fall out due to vibration. From what I remember the pool motors were shipped in from the manufacturer with a std. 15A plug and a 15A cord. We had to change both the cord to a 20A SO cord as well as the plug to a 20A twist lock. Although it's no longer required I still think it's a good idea to make this change IMHO.
Click to expand...

I don't think it was for vibration else they would have required them for a 10' away install. I think the locking feature was due to the exception of allowing the recep closer than 10' so you couldn't use the plug for general use.
 
Little Bill said:
I don't think it was for vibration else they would have required them for a 10' away install. I think the locking feature was due to the exception of allowing the recep closer than 10' so you couldn't use the plug for general use.
Click to expand...


Makes perfect sense doesn't it.

You cut the factory cord end off of a pool pump motor, violating that listing, so you can field install a twist lock male cap on the cord so you don't violate the NEC requirement of not having a general use receptacle within 10' of the pool.


JAP>
 
If a general use receptacle were not allowed within 10' of the pool, then the pool pump manufacturers should have been required to install a factory locking type male cap on their cords, or, not supply the pump with a cord at all.

JAP>
 
Little Bill said:
I don't think it was for vibration else they would have required them for a 10' away install. I think the locking feature was due to the exception of allowing the recep closer than 10' so you couldn't use the plug for general use.
Click to expand...
OK, I can buy into that line of thinking but Jap brings up a couple of good points.
 
goldstar said:
OK, I can buy into that line of thinking but Jap brings up a couple of good points.
Click to expand...

if there is a standard rec close to the pool being use on a branch circuit for the pump, and other general use rec are further away, you are going to have more people un-plugging and plugging in the pump

if it was a single twist lock no one would have reason to unplug the pump to utilize that receptacle for some other purpose. So it would be less likely someone is going to come in contact with the pump current during start up current. bare feet soaking wet inrush current

The panel in 2017 has much confidence the GFCI protection for the motor circuit will do its job
 
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