I have an in-ground pool at a single family dwelling. There is a weather proof, 12 circuit, mail lug loadcenter installed on a treated 4x4 adjacent to the pool pump and gas heater. This loadcenter contains (1) 2 pole 20A CB for the 1hp 230V pump, (1) 1 pole 20A CB for the gas fired pool heater, (1) 1 pole 20A GFCI CB for the 120V pool cover, (2) 1 pole 20A GFCI CB for (2) 120V 300W pool lights. All of the connected equipment listed above is hard wired through non-metallic raceways with an insulated equipment ground. My question is should the 2 pole 20A CB feeding the pool pump and the 1 pole 20A CB feeding the gas fired pool heater be GFCI protected? I know cord and plug connected pool pumps require GFCI protection but I can't find this requirement for hard wired pool pumps in Article 680. Please provide a code article with your reply. Thanks in advance for your help.
Pool question
- Thread starter amptech
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Re: Pool question
I am not aware of any GFCI requirments for permanently installed pools in the 2002 code. In the 1999 code there was a requirment for other than dwelling pools cord connected or direct wire but that has been taken out in the 2002 code. I don't believe the heater has to be GFCI either. All storable pool equipment and supply cords do require GFCI protection.
I am not aware of any GFCI requirments for permanently installed pools in the 2002 code. In the 1999 code there was a requirment for other than dwelling pools cord connected or direct wire but that has been taken out in the 2002 code. I don't believe the heater has to be GFCI either. All storable pool equipment and supply cords do require GFCI protection.
physis
Senior Member
Re: Pool question
Gee, I don't care what the code say's. GFCI city if it were my pool, or anyone elses!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Editted in: These GFCI's are an inexpensive piece of really good tecnology. Why does the NEC seem to care least about them when we're submerged in water???????????
[ August 15, 2004, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
Gee, I don't care what the code say's. GFCI city if it were my pool, or anyone elses!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Editted in: These GFCI's are an inexpensive piece of really good tecnology. Why does the NEC seem to care least about them when we're submerged in water???????????
[ August 15, 2004, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: Pool question
I agree if it's hard wired no GFCI required.
680.22(A)(5)only requires receptacles that supply pool pump motors that are 15 or 20 amp and 120 or 240 volt, single phase to be GFCI protected
I agree if it's hard wired no GFCI required.
680.22(A)(5)only requires receptacles that supply pool pump motors that are 15 or 20 amp and 120 or 240 volt, single phase to be GFCI protected
hbiss
EC, New York NEC: 2017
- Location
- Little Falls, New York NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- EC
Re: Pool question
...Why does the NEC seem to care least about them when we're submerged in water?
Because permanently installed pools should be bonded properly which would eliminate stray or gradient voltages to begin with. Another big problem is nuisance tripping with some motors.
So, it's not that they don't care, they have taken everything into consideration.
-Hal
...Why does the NEC seem to care least about them when we're submerged in water?
Because permanently installed pools should be bonded properly which would eliminate stray or gradient voltages to begin with. Another big problem is nuisance tripping with some motors.
So, it's not that they don't care, they have taken everything into consideration.
-Hal
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Pool question
I think it also has to do with the reliability of a hardwired EGC compared to a cord and plug connected EGC.
As Hal said the NEC takes many things into consideration.
I think it also has to do with the reliability of a hardwired EGC compared to a cord and plug connected EGC.
As Hal said the NEC takes many things into consideration.
physis
Senior Member
Re: Pool question
If you stick an ungrounded and energized conductor in someone's nose the worse thing you could do is insure they're properly grounded!
Editted in: I agree with the false tripping but a lot of people tell me that doesn't happen.
[ August 16, 2004, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: physis ]
If you stick an ungrounded and energized conductor in someone's nose the worse thing you could do is insure they're properly grounded!
Editted in: I agree with the false tripping but a lot of people tell me that doesn't happen.
[ August 16, 2004, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: physis ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Pool question
It is not required or really needed as long as it is PROPERLY BONDED AND GROUNDED.Going above code is great but adds to cost.The danger is who will check this on a regular basis.
It is not required or really needed as long as it is PROPERLY BONDED AND GROUNDED.Going above code is great but adds to cost.The danger is who will check this on a regular basis.
physis
Senior Member
Re: Pool question
My thought on it is that because the pool is grounded half the circuit is already in place. If a hot conductor becomes exposed to the water (lights, pumps, poorly installed yard lighting, sewing machines) you'd have a serious hazard. Why would you not want to try to protect yourself from this when it costs so little?
As for keeping a vigilance on the GFCI's, if they fail your still up to code.
My thought on it is that because the pool is grounded half the circuit is already in place. If a hot conductor becomes exposed to the water (lights, pumps, poorly installed yard lighting, sewing machines) you'd have a serious hazard. Why would you not want to try to protect yourself from this when it costs so little?
As for keeping a vigilance on the GFCI's, if they fail your still up to code.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Pool question
The bonding of pools is not to open overcurrent devices. The purpose is for 'equipotential gradient bonding', in other words to try to keep all bonded parts of the pool of an equal voltage gradient, keeping the potential of shock to a minimum.
Grounding and bonding as related to pools are two distinctly different processes.
Pierre
The bonding of pools is not to open overcurrent devices. The purpose is for 'equipotential gradient bonding', in other words to try to keep all bonded parts of the pool of an equal voltage gradient, keeping the potential of shock to a minimum.
Grounding and bonding as related to pools are two distinctly different processes.
Pierre
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