One aspect of planning for a spa or hot tub purchase is planning for the electrical wiring and connection. This is always a hot topic because spa shoppers need to figure out how they are going to run electricity to the spa. Most buyers really don't know what is needed. They want to have some understanding of the requirements and what it will look like. The hot tub dealer will tell them one thing and an electrician will tell them something else.
**Click Here....for Online Hot Tub Wiring Instruction...Click here
Everyone has lots and lots of questions. What size of wires? 3 wires or 4 wires? How many amps? Can I do this myself?? What's a neutral wire? Can I use the wiring from old hot tub? How far away does the disconnect have to be from the tub?
Scroll Down for Some Answers:
This is a GFCI Disconnect
Inside of the GFCI
DisconnectAnswers Here:
1. Don't do electrical hot tub wiring yourself unless you are a licensed electrician. You may injure or kill yourself or your family.
2. Water and electricity do not mix. A licensed electrician must do the wiring to ensure your family's safety.
3. Electrical work must meet local electrical code requirements. Most areas follow the NEC code but some cities may have other requirements. Your local building code is the ultimate standard regardless of the NEC. The local electrical inspector is the ultimate authority.
4. Code standards are there to protect both you and the community. Do not attempt to circumvent your local building and electrical code requirements.
5. I emphasize this because I hear over and over from people who intend to do their own wiring...yet ask questions that reveal no understanding of electricity and wiring. No insult intended to any one.
**Click Here....for Online Hot Tub Wiring Instruction...Click here
More Specific Wiring Information:
GFCI/disconnect protection is required for hot tub installation by the NEC (national electrical code). It provides protection to the entire Spa and its occupants. It will prevent the occupants from injury in the event of an electrical stray current. This is different than circuit breaker protection. The Spa Specialist Recommends that a "GFCI disconnect" be used for this purpose. This unit pictured is built by the SBSG "Spa Builders Support Group" is heavy duty and will provide safe reliable protection for many years. It will prevent the "false tripping" which can occur with GFCI Circuit Breaker combination devices.
There are basically 2 NEC acceptable options in Spa/Hot Tub electrical installation:
1. Strongly Recommended by the Spa Specialist: Standard circuit breaker ( 50 or 60 amps as needed for your spa) in the electrical panel plus a separate GFCI disconnect
( 50 or
60 amps as needed for your spa) located at least 5 feet from the
spa/hot tub per electrical code requirements. False tripping is not
a problem. Four copper wires #6 in size recommended.
**Click here for the QuickTime
Video*****Click Here for the GFCI Diagram***
***Note: The distance of the disconnect from the spa must be 5 feet away from the inside wall of the spa. The NEC does not specify a maximum distance but the box must be in the line of sight. Nor does the NEC specificy a minimum or maximum height for the box. Local codes may be very specific regarding these 2 parameters and must be followed. Find out your local requirements first before the wiring is done. Codes and the NEC change periodically. My information is provided as general information only and is not the definitive source.
2. Legal but Not Recommended: GFCI breaker combination device in the electrical panel, plus, a simple electrical cut off device located at least 5 feet from the spa/hot tub per electrical code requirements. The problem is these GFCI breakers do not hold up over time. High Powered modern tubs are hard on these sensitive electrical devices. False tripping is a another potential with these devices. Frustrating for the spa owner and the electrician who is quick to blame the problem on a Spa malfunction. Trouble shooting false tripping is a big time waster for the electrician. However, many electricians prefer this installation because it is quick and easy for them. Or perhaps they don't understand that there is a better way to wire the spa. {electricians may also insist that you only need a 3 wire system (not true!)...or they insist you can get by with a smaller wire sizes...they don't really get it...we want a robust electrical set up that will protect and hold up well over a long period of trouble free operation} Consult with Pacific Spa Sales if your electrician needs an explanation regarding our recommended wiring and the GFCI/disconnect device.
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