Whirlpool Tub Heater Bond

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I have a whirlpool tub that requires 2, 20A circuits. One for the pump, one for the heater. The heater also has a sort metallic sleeve with a bonding lug attached to it. Attached to the lug is a short piece of #8 CU, coiled up. There are no other bonding lugs on any of the other equipment. Running a #8 from the panel is impossible. What to do?

 

[Hendrix]

I have a whirlpool tub that requires 2, 20A circuits. One for the pump, one for the heater. The heater also has a sort metallic sleeve with a bonding lug attached to it. Attached to the lug is a short piece of #8 CU, coiled up. There are no other bonding lugs on any of the other equipment. Running a #8 from the panel is impossible. What to do?

Bond it to the cold water line if it's copper. If it's pex, dont worry about it.

 

[augie47]

Is the premises water system metallic or non-metallic ?
The Jacuzzi brand hydros here come with instructions (copy attached) that require bonding the heater to the panel "or approved local bond" and metallic water systems are normally accepted as "local bond".
Many Rough-In's in this areas still include a #8 bond to the tub"in case".

View attachment jucuzzipg18.doc

Locally, contrary to Post #2, you have "to worry about it"

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

The entire house is plumbed in PEX. What if I just ran a #12 grounding conductor from the receptacle box to the lug? Wouldn't that be better than nothing?

 

[augie47]

It would not pass in any of the local jurisdictions of which I am aware.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

IMO, a #8 is not required back to the panel by the NEC, however some manufacturers insist on this in their installation instructions.

In our area if there is pex involved then you need not worry about it, however I would probable install a lug on the pump and bond them together unless it is a double insulated pump.

I believe in 2011 where there is a double insulated pump for pools they will require the #8 equipotential bond to get connected to the EGC of the motor.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Everything else in the tub is double insulated. I guess I'll just leave the #8 coiled up and going nowhere but I still think connecting to the #12 EGC would be better than nothing even though it isn't "legal".

 

[hurk27]

Everything else in the tub is double insulated. I guess I'll just leave the #8 coiled up and going nowhere but I still think connecting to the #12 EGC would be better than nothing even though it isn't "legal".

if the circuit supplying the heater has an EGC why would you think adding another one help?, the lug is for exponential bonding not grounding.

 

[hurk27]

exponential bonding

dang spell checker lol

equipotential

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

if the circuit supplying the heater has an EGC why would you think adding another one help?, the lug is for exponential bonding not grounding.

I see your point and it makes sense. But why do they even bother to put the lug and short piece of #8 on the heater if everything else is double insulated? Just in case there is copper plumbing?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I see your point and it makes sense. But why do they even bother to put the lug and short piece of #8 on the heater if everything else is double insulated? Just in case there is copper plumbing?

Yes, they are required to unless the heater is double insulated.

Here is the 2011 draft I mentioned for hydromassage tubs

The 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding jumper shall be required for equipotential bonding in the area of the hydromassage bathtub and shall not be required to be extended or attached to any remote panelboard, service equipment, or any electrode. The 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding jumper shall be long enough to terminate on a replacement non-double insulated pump motor, and shall be terminated to the equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit of the motor when a double insulated circulating pump motor is used.