Sauna

[nizak]

Would GFCI protection be required for an indoor dry sauna.
It’s located in an unfinished basement. It’s hardwired with a 6-2 SO cord and a disconnect.

It is a 9 KW 240 V unit that is being housed inside a homemade cedar enclosure.

The Mfgr cut sheet only says to provide electrical that meets local codes. Says nothing else other than power requirements of 48-52 amps. 240V

The unit is manufactured in Australia and marketed through a Company in the U.S.

Because it’s in the unfinished basement space is that what would be requiring the GFCI protection if it does.

Thank you.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

What code are you under? Is there a receptacle involved? If not then Imo, no gfci is needed in any code, I believe

 

[nizak]

What code are you under? Is there a receptacle involved? If not then Imo, no gfci is needed in any code, I believe

2023 NEC
No receptacle.
SO cord from disconnect wired directly into heating element

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't believe SO cord would be allowed. I use se cable or nm cable

 

[electrofelon]

I don't believe SO cord would be allowed. I use se cable or nm cable

IF the wiring is exposed then NM or SE likely not allowed either (NEC allows exposed NM but everyone except for me and 7 other people on the planet say if its exposed than it is subject to physical damage). I would use flex or sealtite probably.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The ones I have done the wiring came thru the wall where the sauna was sitting and the unit was under the bench, The wire went directly into a disconnect and from there flex would be fine. I believe nm or se would be compliant also.

 

[tortuga]

(NEC allows exposed NM but everyone except for me and 7 other people on the planet say if its exposed than it is subject to physical damage).

Did you include me in that? if not its 8.

 

[nizak]

Sealtite sounds like a good option for the disco into the unit. Could reduce down to 8 THHN to get the 50 amp rating and make the termination a bit easier in the ridiculously small termination box.

So then no GFCI protection required or would that be an AHJ call?

Thanks

 

[tortuga]

Sealtite sounds like a good option for the disco into the unit. Could reduce down to 8 THHN to get the 50 amp rating and make the termination a bit easier in the ridiculously small termination box.

So then no GFCI protection required or would that be an AHJ call?

Thanks

Its not required.
If it were my sauna I'd put it on a GFPE breaker.

 

[nizak]

Its not required.
If it were my sauna I'd put it on a GFPE breaker.

GFPE to avoid nuisance tripping?

 

[tortuga]

GFPE to avoid nuisance tripping?

Yeah, and to better protect the sauna than a regular breaker if say an element goes bad.

 

[ActionDave]

....(NEC allows exposed NM but everyone except for me and 7 other people on the planet say if its exposed than it is subject to physical damage).

Exposed NM is like an old guy in a Speedo. It's not illegal, but you don't want to see that.

 

[nizak]

Exposed NM is like an old guy in a Speedo. It's not illegal, but you don't want to see that.

It’s ok if it has guard plates in the right places

 

[herding_cats]

Exposed NM is like an old guy in a Speedo. It's not illegal, but you don't want to see that.

That's a good album title.