Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

[mike anchondo]

When replacing the 120 volt lamp and cord assembly in older pools, pools not originally equipped with GFCI protection. Am I required to install GFCI protection (easy) and replace the existing flush mount deck box (hard) with one that meets vertical requirements in 680.24? Replace with low voltage assembly?

 

[david]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

Are the replacements the same model as the original? What are the manufactures instruction, on the replacement kits? Check the NEC requirements the year of the pool installation

 

[earlydean]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

Yes

 

[steve66]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

About 2 years ago, someone replaced the lamps at a local pool (older non GFI fixtures). Apparently, one leaked. The owners grandson and a couple friends went for a swim before the official spring opening. One jumped in and it was obvious something was wrong. One of the other kids jumped in to save him. The result was two dead kids, one being the owners grandchild

I don't usually post personal thoughts or things I have read in the local papers, but this one kind of shocked me.

My point: you or the owners may want to install GFCI even if it is not required.

 

[mike anchondo]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

Originally posted by steve66:
About 2 years ago, someone replaced the lamps at a local pool (older non GFI fixtures). Apparently, one leaked. The owners grandson and a couple friends went for a swim before the official spring opening. One jumped in and it was obvious something was wrong. One of the other kids jumped in to save him. The result was two dead kids, one being the owners grandchild

I don't usually post personal thoughts or things I have read in the local papers, but this one kind of shocked me.

My point: you or the owners may want to install GFCI even if it is not required.

 

[mike anchondo]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

I definitely will install the GFCI (already have). I was curious about requirements, especially in regard to the pool deck box because the difficulty related to that task.

 

[david]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

What type of ground fault protection to these old style fixtures use Class A or Class B protedction?

 

[Guest]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

For pool equipment it should be Class A.

GFCI for Underwater Wet Niche Lighting see 680.23(A)(3) if over 15-volts.

 

[david]

Re: Replamping in under water lights in "old pools&quot

A ground-fault circuit interrupter is intended to be used only in a circuit that has a solidly grounded conductor; however, an equipment grounding conductor is not necessary in order for the GFCI to function. A Class A GFCI trips where the current to ground has a value in the range of 4 through 6 mA; it is suitable for use in swimming pool circuits. It should be noted, however, that circuits supplying pool equipment that were installed before local adoption of the 1965 edition of the Code may have sufficient leakage current to cause a Class A GFCI to trip. A Class B GFCI trips if the current to ground exceeds 20 mA; it is suitable for use only with underwater swimming pool lighting fixtures installed before the local adoption of the 1965 Code.


Yes you should, But I was thinking that a class B would be better than no GFCI protection in a case where the second part of this handbook comment holds true