Smallest EGC in Indoor Hot Tub Circuit
- Thread starter cnodad
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The size of the EGC is determined on the basis of the circuit breaker's rating. 15 amp circuit = 14 awg (copper) EGC.
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
Not in the instructions, no. I'm a rookie at pools and spas, so I'm still developing judgment there. I look around in 680 and I see "not smaller than 12 AWG" in a bunch of places, and I wonder if I'm missing something about indoor installations.
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
Is this a hot tub/spa, or a hydromassage tub?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Art. 680.43 tells us to wire an indoor hot tub per Parts I and II.
If we go to part II art. 680.21 (A)(1) It tells us a minumum of #12 for the EGC to any pool associated motor. I realize this is not a pool but the hot tub section says to follow Part II-- IMO you need #12
If we go to part II art. 680.21 (A)(1) It tells us a minumum of #12 for the EGC to any pool associated motor. I realize this is not a pool but the hot tub section says to follow Part II-- IMO you need #12
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
I agree with Dennis, and want to add - insulated EGC.
If this is actually a hydromassage Tub, a #14 would be OK.
(I hear "hot tub" used as slang for what is actually a hydromassage tub around here, which is why I asked the OP)
I guess by 2008 definitions it would be either a "Self-Contained Spa or Hot Tub" or a "Self-Contained Therapeutic Tub or Hydrotherapeutic Tank"
It is a bathtub with a pump motor and a field installed heater.
I saw 680.21, which would require a #12 for a 15 amp circuit, but this is for a heater, so doesn't apply? (I'm asking)
680.43 also says that you can use any wiring method covered by Chapter 3 (which would include Romex, right?)
Last edited:
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Good point- the op may actually have a hydromassage tub. I always pull a #12 anyway--- force of habit.
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Not in the 2008 or 2005 NEC 680. 43 is indoor. 680.42(C) is for interior wiring to an outdoor installation
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
I would consider this to be a hydromassage bathtub. See the definition in 680.2. So, 680.70 thru 680.74 would apply.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Does the water stay in the tub at all times or do you have to fill it each time you use it?
Well then. That makes it a bit easier, doesn't it? Thanks!
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
That's a hydromassage tub. Part VII, and the #14 bare EGC should be OK.
Don't forget bonding - 680.74
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Just going by what the OP stated, it's a bathtub, so it would be filled & emptied at each use.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
You posted this at the same time I was posting-- I never saw it-- I agree this is a hydromassage tub.
Although I suppose you could leave it in the tub, probably you'd drain it after you use it, just like a regular tub.
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