Pool transformer or Junction box

[Stubbie]

Starting an older (20 years young) pool rewire. Owner says the original wiring to the wet niche was at line voltage and he converted to 12 volt transformer type.


PVC sch. 40 is ran from the forming shell to the tranformer enclosure...not to a pool listed junction box then to the transformer. The #8 insulated bonding wire is present.....though the potting compound is not applied in the forming shell. He drilled the transformer enclosure and fastened the #8.

Though the transformer (7 feet from pool wall) is listed as suitable for supplying a wet niche.... my understanding is it is not suitable for connection to the pvc going to the wet niche... the conduit must be connected to a listed swimming pool junction box and the luminaire cord and bonding #8 terminated there before landing on any transformer.

Owner is not happy about the cost to fix this tranformer deal and disputes the reasoning for a junction box $$$...

Am I all "wet" in this or is the jb required? I say it is...

Added question...Is there a problem with the low voltage luminaire not being matched with the forming shell? I'm thinking this may pose some more issues...

Stubbie

 

[bphgravity]

Yes, this is a big mess. You definitely have a listing issue with the pool light itself that must be corrected or dealt with. And refer them to 680.24(B) in regard to the pool light junction box/transformer issue. Unless the transformer enclosure meets the provisions of this section, a junction box as described in 680.24(A) must be used.

 

[Stubbie]

Thanks Bryan, thats how I see it. Been spending the morning talking to the city folks about the mismatch on the luminaire and forming shell and I got some more bad news for the owner.... gotta be listed to be used with one another. Sooooo....I'm thinking its gonna be a heck of a lot easier to replace the light than the forming shell. Ever try to explain voltage gradient problems to a homeowner wannabe electrician.... I get to try.
680.24 is pretty clear IMO on the junction box and I see no way around it. I'm not sure if a transformer enclosure out there meets those specifications.
Anyway owner may have to look the inspector in the eye with his problem before the day is out.
Many issues when you get into these older pools that were DIY or DIY changed. Good for business but a pain in the !%#!$. For instance when the new wet niche was wired up a circuit to some outdoor receptcles was added to the raceway to the wet niche branching off at a condelet about 3 feet after the transformer. The wet niche is also on a multiwire with the pool pump using the opposite leg. Pretty typical really with what you find in jobs like this but takes some degree of perserverance to sort thru it all.

Hey I should be happy the bonding grid looks good....knock on wood.

Stubbie