Sensor wiring to pool cover

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PetrosA

PetrosA

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Lancaster, Pennsylvania
I've been hired as a sub on a job where we need to run a sensor circuit to a magnetic reed switch (provided by pool cover installers) that will detect when the pool cover is fully open which will then activate a contactor to allow a fountain feature to operate.

I've looked through the 2014 code but haven't been able to find any information about sensor circuits to pools so I've been working towards compliance with the luminaire requirements. I know that the pool lights have a transformer listed for use in pool and spa lighting, and I've looked into other listed options to power the coil on the contactor but haven't found anything reasonable. Am I required to use a listed lighting transformer/driver to power the coil of the contactor, or would it be acceptable to use a class 2 power supply (ex. SquareD ABL8MEM24003) to power the reed sensor?
 
PetrosA said:
I've been hired as a sub on a job where we need to run a sensor circuit to a magnetic reed switch (provided by pool cover installers) that will detect when the pool cover is fully open which will then activate a contactor to allow a fountain feature to operate.

I've looked through the 2014 code but haven't been able to find any information about sensor circuits to pools so I've been working towards compliance with the luminaire requirements. I know that the pool lights have a transformer listed for use in pool and spa lighting, and I've looked into other listed options to power the coil on the contactor but haven't found anything reasonable. Am I required to use a listed lighting transformer/driver to power the coil of the contactor, or would it be acceptable to use a class 2 power supply (ex. SquareD ABL8MEM24003) to power the reed sensor?
Click to expand...

A transformer listed for pool/spa use seems to be the safest, most correct way to do it (GFCI protected, of course).

Know also that you will almost certainly need an interposing relay between your reed switch and your contactor coil. The reed switch will not last long switching the inductive load of a contactor coil. Use a suppressor across both the relay coil and contactor coil for long life.

This is sounding more and more like a control panel. Will your AHJ require it to be listed? UL508A appears to applicable; does your panel need to be built by a 508A panel shop?


SceneryDriver
 
retirede said:
UL 508A is a standard for industrial control panels. A pool doesn’t seem to be an industrial application to me.
Click to expand...

Quote from UL 508A, emphasis mine:

"Also covered are industrial control panels intended for control of permanently installed
electrical equipment for aquatic playgrounds, permanently installed electrical equipment associated with
commercial water park rides, wave pools and similar installations, and permanently installed electrical
equipment associated with commercial and large residential swimming pools and in-ground spas."

I believe UL 508A applies.



SceneryDriver
 
SceneryDriver said:
Quote from UL 508A, emphasis mine:

"Also covered are industrial control panels intended for control of permanently installed
electrical equipment for aquatic playgrounds, permanently installed electrical equipment associated with
commercial water park rides, wave pools and similar installations, and permanently installed electrical
equipment associated with commercial and large residential swimming pools and in-ground spas."

I believe UL 508A applies.



SceneryDriver
Click to expand...

I wasn’t aware of that. I had only dealt with 508A in a manufacturing facility.

I stand corrected, thanks.
 
retirede said:
I wasn’t aware of that. I had only dealt with 508A in a manufacturing facility.

I stand corrected, thanks.
Click to expand...

I was surprised the first time I read that, too.

I wonder how long it will be before we get into the definition of a "large" residential pool. :D



SceneryDriver
 
growler said:
Definition of "large" residential pool : Bigger than "small" or "medium" residential pool.
Click to expand...

I believe the SM MD LG come from an ANSI spec or the like, and I think its based on # of gallons. The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code uses many existing specs from ANSI, ASTM, and others.

Doesn't the cover switch have wiring directions?
 
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growler said:
Definition of "large" residential pool : Bigger than "small" or "medium" residential pool.
Click to expand...

FionaZuppa said:
I believe the SM MD LG come from an ANSI spec or the like, and I think its based on # of gallons. The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code uses many existing specs from ANSI, ASTM, and others.
Click to expand...

I was joking with my definition of a large swimming pool.

Maybe I'll try to look it up and see if there is a real definition.
 
SceneryDriver said:
A transformer listed for pool/spa use seems to be the safest, most correct way to do it (GFCI protected, of course).

Know also that you will almost certainly need an interposing relay between your reed switch and your contactor coil. The reed switch will not last long switching the inductive load of a contactor coil. Use a suppressor across both the relay coil and contactor coil for long life.

This is sounding more and more like a control panel. Will your AHJ require it to be listed? UL508A appears to applicable; does your panel need to be built by a 508A panel shop?


SceneryDriver
Click to expand...

The interposing relay sounds like a good idea. The situation has been like "death by a thousand knives" from the beginning, with changes to how stuff gets controlled every time I turn around. My understanding is that there's some brain box available for the entire thing (lights, fountain pump, pool cover), but that either the pool guy doesn't want to up-sell that option or the customer feels it's too expensive. I'll talk to the EC I'm subbing for and see how he wants to move forward with this. I highly doubt he's going to want to swap out what I've put together so far and have it redesigned/rebuilt by a panel shop. Thanks for your input!
 
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