We have recently run into a situation where the inspectors are claiming that the interior wiring for a pool stubout must have an insulated grounding conductor to meet code. They are saying that the old method of using romex from the main service panel the power stubout at the side of the house is no longer allowed. In reading various portions of the 2014 NEC code (section 680 on pools, fountains, and similar installations), I argue that 680.21 (A) (4) applies which states an exception for interior single family dwelling units not requiring an insulated conductor as long as the ground but must be enclosed within the outer sheath of the cable assembly (ie....romex). Inspectors are claiming that you must have an insulated ground from the service panel, to include interior wiring as well as exterior wiring and that the code I reference is for motors only. so, I want to know if by the 2014 code if you can use romex for the interior wiring to the stubout at the side of the house? I understand that from that point on (for the exterior power run) you must have an insulated confuctor. Help someone!
Pool wiring requirements - indoor vs outdoor ground conductor insulation requirements
- Thread starter joecalvin
- Start date
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Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
Is the ''stub out'' going to the motor, panel or what?
the stubout is mearly a junction box located at the side of the house for all the pool power needs. We do not run anything beyond that ourselves. The pool installers run what they need from our junction box to the pool...ie motors, control panels, filters, lighting, etc.....
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Are we talking about a stub out for the motor or for a pool panel? 680.21 is for the motor. 680.25 is for pool feeders
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I see you posted as I was typing. Now it looks like we are talking about a pool panel, in this case I agree with the inspector
It still isn't clear to me whether the pool people are installing multiple branch circuits from that junction box or a pool panel. What size wire did you run to that junction box, and is there one cable or multiple cables? If it was one cable larger than #12 and on a breaker larger than 20A, it would indicate to me that a pool panel is being installed making those conductors a feeder. Pool feeders don't get the exception for bare grounds that motor circuits get. You could also have an issue if these conductors go to an underwater pool light -- no NM allowed for those but AC or MC is in a building.
It is tough to wire a pool with only one circuit, you usually need at least two. So I'm thinking you ran feeder conductors. Note that pool feeders need to be in conduit too, or MC cable if in a building
It is tough to wire a pool with only one circuit, you usually need at least two. So I'm thinking you ran feeder conductors. Note that pool feeders need to be in conduit too, or MC cable if in a building
Hey Mark, thanks for the reply. You are correct in that the run is a feeder run from the main service panel to the "stubout" at the side of the house. It will be either a 50a (6/3) or a 40a (8/3) conductor run to the junction box. The pool installers wire from it as needed for their particular systems.
I do want to thank everyone for the replies, you have all been very helpfull.
Thanks all and have a great Thanksgiving.
I do want to thank everyone for the replies, you have all been very helpfull.
Thanks all and have a great Thanksgiving.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I still don?t have a copy of 2014 but NM and SE cable have never been an acceptable wiring methods for pool feeders in the 30+ years I have been in the trade. Only recently was MC cable added to the list of acceptable wiring methods.
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