Special Regulations for Residential pools

[Special K]

I'm being informed by a homeowner that the electrical inspector had him bond his swimming pool pump,heater & the pool rail with a #6 solid conductor back to the main service panel, requiring that it is code. Does anyone have any articles that support this. I've always just grounded them and made sure that they were on a GFI circuit.

 

[fc]

The best article would be Article 680 start there and then read 680.26
The bond does not go back to the panel is ends up at the pump motor . 680.26 (A) foot note.
The bond wire is # 8 solid.

 

[George Stolz]

I think the FPN to 680.26(A) puts it into perspective:

FPN: The 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding conductor shall not be required to be extended or attached to any remote panelboard, service equipment, or any electrode.

 

[rcarroll]

Unfortunately, some folks misinterprate or don't read/enforce the fine print note. Electricians as well as inspectors.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Reading the FPNs for information is fine, but they are not enforceable as code. 90.5(C)

Just one other note...there may be local laws that supercede the NEC, you will need to know them.

 

[stickboy1375]

Makes me wonder why people don't question why we have two terms, Bonding and Grounding....

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

The bonding of pools and pool equipment is not the same as "bonding" of circuits. We bond pools for the "equipotential plane" bond. In other words we are just trying to create a plane that is equal in potential so the chances of receiving a shock are reduced.

 

[stickboy1375]

I didn't realize the NEC had two different definitions of "Bonding"

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

See 680.26 and 547.2, 547.10

 

[celtic]

[[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Article 680 - Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

[/FONT] A free download from Mike Holt.[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]

 

[mayjong]

i have another question that relates to the OP. i understand that this method of installation is incorrect but,is there any danger in running the pool bond back to the panel like the OP stated? what are the drawbacks(if any) of this install?
thanks!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

While a direct connection of the bonding conductor back to the service is not required, there will be a connection via the pump equipment grounding conductor and this connection is required.

680.26(B) ... Where a double-insulated water-pump motor is installed under the provisions of this rule, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor that is of sufficient length to make a bonding connection to a replacement motor shall be extended from the bonding grid to an accessible point in the motor vicinity. Where there is no connection between the swimming pool bonding grid and the equipment grounding system for the premises, this bonding conductor shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit.

Don

 

[haskindm]

It amazes me when people want you to run a grounding conductor back to the ground bar in the main panel in order to "ground" the pool. The pool is either sitting on the ground or buried in the ground. It is already grounded! Nothing that you can do will make it more grounded! A BONDING CONDUCTOR is connected to all metal parts in the vicinity of the pool to ensure that they are all at the same potential. That is all the bonding conductor is expected to do. The ground fault return path for any energized equipment will be provided by the grounding conductor run to such equipment.

 

[WAR EAGLE]

It amazes me when people want you to run a grounding conductor back to the ground bar in the main panel in order to "ground" the pool. The pool is either sitting on the ground or buried in the ground. It is already grounded! Nothing that you can do will make it more grounded!

Above ground pools are usually built on sand which does not provide a good source of grounding, but I agree it does seem a little over kill to run a grounding conductor all the way back to the ground bar just for bonding purposes, In addition to the equipment grounding conductor which already exists in the motor circuit. In my city it is just required that I bond the metal on the pool to the motor and the cicuit grounding conductor takes it from there.