Question About Swimming Pool NEC 680.22 A(1)

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wlnorris

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Back in the day (1993-1998), when I had to memorize NEC because I was wiring office buildings and industrial sites. 680.22 was a bit different. I am installing my own inground swimming pool and wanted to refresh on current NEC code.

Am I reading 680.22 A(1) correctly in that I MUST install a GFCI outlet near my swimming pool 6-20 ft? I'm sort of like Mike, and the less electric I can have in the open around my pool, the better. I could see my kids plugging crap into it and knocking that stuff into the pool. I don't see how requiring an outlet is safer than no outlet. Can someone explain?

I have receptacles inside a pool shed, 15 feet away to the nearest by string, but in part 5, I see the measurement can't pass through a doorway. So I guess that forces the outlet to be outdoors.

Any thoughts on why this is are appreciated. Thanks!
 
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You are required to install a general purpose, GFCI protected, receptacle within the listed distance from the pool. It can't be inside, as the code says distances are measured without having to go through a door, window, etc.
People plug all kinds of stuff in when around the pool, such as radios, phone chargers, laptops, ...........you name it. The code makers don't want extension cords running all over the place. Most cords are less than 6' so that is why you can't put it closer than 6'. Obviously, the 20' max is to deter use of extension cords.
 
Little Bill said:
You are required to install a general purpose, GFCI protected, receptacle within the listed distance from the pool. It can't be inside, as the code says distances are measured without having to go through a door, window, etc.
People plug all kinds of stuff in when around the pool, such as radios, phone chargers, laptops, ...........you name it. The code makers don't want extension cords running all over the place. Most cords are less than 6' so that is why you can't put it closer than 6'. Obviously, the 20' max is to deter use of extension cords.
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I guess a fence is a wall too? Even though I don't see that in code specifically.

In the definitions used for dwellings, as wall space is defined, room dividers and guard rails count as "wall space". However, a pool isn't in a dwelling and a fence isn't a "room divider".

So is a fence technically a wall? Or is it a fence? Could the required outlet be on the outside of a fence 7' from the edge of the pool?

Or what if there is no fence there when the outlet is installed, but at a later date, a fence is installed between the outlet and the pool?
 
wlnorris said:
I guess a fence is a wall too? Even though I don't see that in code specifically.

In the definitions used for dwellings, as wall space is defined, room dividers and guard rails count as "wall space". However, a pool isn't in a dwelling and a fence isn't a "room divider".

So is a fence technically a wall? Or is it a fence? Could the required outlet be on the outside of a fence 7' from the edge of the pool?

Or what if there is no fence there when the outlet is installed, but at a later date, a fence is installed between the outlet and the pool?
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See 680.22(A)(5)
 
Little Bill said:
See 680.22(A)(5)
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I don’t that that answers it directly. Maybe addresses going through a fence, as that might be considered “piercing” it. But it states piercing. A string over a fence isn’t piercing the fence.

And what really is a barrier. It is defined in NEC as a physical obstruction intended to prevent contact with live equipment or to prevent unauthorized access to a work area.

It isn’t a work area so second part is out. So is a pool fence intended to prevent contact with live equipment? Or is it o restrict access to a pool. It may have other consequences, but what is it intended to do?

I don’t know that a pool fence rises to NECs definition of a barrier either by letter of the code.

I do get that in spirit, they want you to have a GFCI outlet by the pool. Now I just have to make a decision if that is a part of code I want to comply with.

Not sure that is the smartest thing for my family. I mentioned it to my wife this morning, and she said that would be great, she could take the patio charger down, and a portable projector, and an electric cooler to keep drinks cold.

If I put an outlet there, 100% guarantee something live is going in the pool, and GFCI’s can fail. Day to day, I don’t see how having it makes it safer for my family.
 
If you comply with the distances (no closer than 6' and no farther than 20') there shouldn't be a problem with anything falling into the pool with a cord attached to it. Now you could "what if it" and come up with any number of things. But that could apply to other codes as well. The code says what it says, you either go by it or not. If you feel something isn't right you have the right to offer a proposal to change it.
 
I see two reasons for it. One is people wanting a radio or music system near the pool. If you don't have an outlet close by, they will use an extension cord which the code likes to avoid. The second is more for maintenance purposes. I frequently used a submersible pump in the winter to get excess rain water out of the pool (didn't have a floor drain, and the circulation pump was already drained and winterized), and it needs a place to plug in that is close to the pool. That pump had a long cord, but 12' of it was in the pool so not much was left to hit a nearby receptacle.
 
suemarkp said:
I see two reasons for it. One is people wanting a radio or music system near the pool. If you don't have an outlet close by, they will use an extension cord which the code likes to avoid. The second is more for maintenance purposes. I frequently used a submersible pump in the winter to get excess rain water out of the pool (didn't have a floor drain, and the circulation pump was already drained and winterized), and it needs a place to plug in that is close to the pool. That pump had a long cord, but 12' of it was in the pool so not much was left to hit a nearby receptacle.
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See, my concern is that I showed my wife were I would put an outlet that complied to this code, the first thing she said was "That would be great. Then I can run an extension cord over there to power a projector and project movies onto that wall." That was the first comment out of here mouth.

Her very first instinct was to connect an extension cord to it. And my oldest son is no different. He would want to run an extension cord somewhere else to play his electric guitar poolside.

And there is no way to predict all the places they would want outlets in advance to place them there. I would need to put in an outlet every 6 feet!

But take away the temptation and obvious possibilities, and I don't have to worry about that kind of nonsense. I don't know. Still thinking about it. Will definitely be the last piece I do, if I do it.
 
An extension cord is not necessarily in itself a hazard. It’s how it’s used or abused.
I think the intent of the rule is to make sure no one runs an extension cord from a non-GFCI receptacle. I’ve seen people feed one out a window before.
 
Is your son like these guys? If so I would buy life insurance on him...LOL



mini-barbecue.jpg
 
wlnorris said:
See, my concern is that I showed my wife were I would put an outlet that complied to this code, the first thing she said was "That would be great. Then I can run an extension cord over there to power a projector and project movies onto that wall." That was the first comment out of here mouth.

Her very first instinct was to connect an extension cord to it. And my oldest son is no different. He would want to run an extension cord somewhere else to play his electric guitar poolside.

And there is no way to predict all the places they would want outlets in advance to place them there. I would need to put in an outlet every 6 feet!

But take away the temptation and obvious possibilities, and I don't have to worry about that kind of nonsense. I don't know. Still thinking about it. Will definitely be the last piece I do, if I do it.
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IMO, you're better off putting in the GFCI receptacle. If your wife and son are that dead set on plugging things in out by the pool, they will just run a cord from wherever they can. With the GFCI receptacle you will at least know it is protected.
 
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