I have seen it debated whether the wall itself should be bonded in 4 places on a resin structure pool. 8 AWG wire (No. This will detect that and trip if there are any issues. Then, when you touch a doorknob or another piece of metal, the charge jumps off you and through the air. The halo serves as the bonding grid essentially and is there to tap the bonds to. Advertisement. This would be so that you can run 60 amp out to your swimming pool. Bonding for electricity is a process of connecting two or more metal components together to create an electrically conductive path between them. When all of your equipment is carrying the same charge, the electricity won't try to jump from one piece to another as the resistance is the same on both sides. Circulating and then youre at risk of water going cloudy or building up algae. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Keith serves on NFPAs Electrical Section Executive Committee and is a member of ULs Electrical Council. This difference is the reason the Code separates these two distinctive and separate components of the equipotential bonding grid system. Do not use stranded wire for pool or hot tub bonding. They should be in any case where you have a small shed with the pool wiring in it for the swimming pool. Most of us are aware that the pool must be bonded, but since 2008 the National Electrical Code (NEC) has mandated that pool water shall be electrically bonded, not just metals in the structure of the pool itself. There is a pretty strong debate around here whether the bonding wire has to be tied directly to the ground bar in the panel. My family is in the process of contracting out in-ground swimming pool. He is the principal author of several IAEI publications, including NEC Analysis of Changes. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Investigators have not released why the pool became electrified during that situation. All metal forming shells of wet-niche luminaires and mounting brackets of no-niche luminaires. Equipment Pad Best Practices - Further Reading, Pump Size and Code Requirements for Plumbing, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. Thoughts? Since the max depth is over 42" does that automatically make it a permanent pool? Reinforcing steel effectively insulated by an encapsulating, nonconductive compound at the time of manufacture is not required to be bonded. But Loden wanted to warn families to check to see if their pool was bonded, as required by the National Electric Code. If you plan to run a sub panel of 60 amp then we recommend a minimum of number 6/3 copper an nmd 90 or tech cable depending on the type of installation and the type of construction that youre providing the pool circuitry too. NEC bonding requirements apply to in ground and above ground pools, and includes all metal components, equipment and the water itself. It is clamped to the rebar (vertical in the footing wire-tied to a horizontal bond beam). It should be clearly understood that if used, the 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding conductor used for the alternative means for the perimeter surface equipotential bonding is not required to be extended, or attached to any remote panelboard, service equipment, or any grounding electrode. "Anything within five feet of the pool must be bonded," he said. The deck or perimeter surface also includes unpaved surfaces as well as poured concrete and other types of paving and is required to be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid of the conductive pool shell at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool. When an electrical current enters a pool, it will naturally flow to the closest point of ground, which could be a person or equipment in the pool. Please check out all of her other articles as they provide very helpful information. For larger swimming pools we usually run a number six green. A GFCI outlet is a must for your safety. Hello , This is an inactive thread. You can count on three to $600 for the service. This means that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of pools throughout North Alabama that are not properly bonded.. The purpose of bonding wire is to prevent electrical shock by redirecting electrical current away from people and equipment and into the ground. This GFCI protection protect you while youre in the water electrical fault to ground. Electrical Code Requirements for Swimming Pools & Spas - The Spruce However on larger metal frame swimming pools is always a good idea to have the electrician bond the metal frame to ground. Here are some tips on effectively assessing and mitigating ESD risks during swimming pool inspections and recommendations to pass on to pool owners. We then usually use ground plates or ground electrodes to be on the best possible place to ground all parts of the pool. The installation should comply with local building codes and regulations. Bill Loden, Building Consultant and founder of Insight Building Inspection, LLC, urges you to check your pools bonding to keep your family safe from electric shock. What Electrical Is Needed For An Above Ground Pool Wiring? Here is the electrician's response to our phone call. This bonding conductor is not required to be extended or attached to remote panelboards, service equipment, or any grounding electrodes. In a standard electric wire, one wire is charged (or "hot") and the other is neutral. Bonding your pool is a safety measure to prevent accidentally getting electrocuted or seriously injured. Electrical equipment is used to circulate and heat the water and for other related functions such as illumination. By bonding the steel rebar you simply eliminate the difference in potential between the metal objects above the steel rebar and the steel rebar, you are not forcing current to travel through it to find a path to ground. This may be a cheaper option and providing individual GFCI protection for each electric pole circuit. For the conductive pool shell, poured concrete, pneumatically applied or sprayed concrete, and concrete block (including painted or plastered coatings) are all considered conductive materials due to water permeability and porosity. Usually around style pools or oval style pools. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Look for an exposed copper wire attached to the motor and pumps, going into the ground. These tie wires must be made tight. The terms bonding and grounding are often used together, and in many cases, they're used interchangeably. It is recommended that you have a dedicated circuit for the pool only. If installed, this copper conductor grid system is to be comprised of (1) through (4) below: The second element of the equipotential bonding grid is the perimeter surfaces or deck steel as it is sometimes referred to [see NEC 680.26(B)(2)(a) and (b)]. 1 in. I can't really put it on the side of the house though because we are possibly moving our shed to that location (against the house). It is in this case that we recommend a minimum of 120/240 V 60 amp electrical service to a separate sub panel. Steel tie-wires made-up tight is suitable for bonding reinforcing steel together. Once over the size 2 hp enough you are usually into a 2 inch inlet and outlet. For larger pools, you may need a 6 AWG for added protection. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, our email list has something for everyone. If plastic is not an ideal container for beverages, should we be drinking water out of glass? If he is with a company I would ask for someone else that understands how electricity & equipotential bonding works. This path facilitates the operation of the fuse or circuit breaker to allow it to remove the faulted condition. The information on this website entertainment purposes only. For this reason, we can provide conceptual ideas but not technical support on this topic. Make sure that you have adequate size on your main electrical service as a minimum of 200 amp. Generally, well-made pools using heavy-duty vinyl liners can last up to 10 to 15 years when maintained properly. First thing I look for is the wire coming up to the pool pump. Sorry, I was confusing side of the house with "side yard". GGR Home Inspections considers several proprietary rules to determine how and where products appear on the site. Keith is the Chairman of NEC CMP-7 and has served as a member of CMP-9. An electrician bonds pool equipment by connecting it all together with conductive wire also known as a bonding wire when it comes to pools. I don't know about all resin pools as they may be a different requirement. Grounding, as applies to pools, is connecting all electrical equipment to the service entrance neutral buss bar. What is Pool Bonding? Bonding and Grounding Explained The bonding is all connected together and indirectly is connected to the grounding system of the house through the motor housing. In addition, electrical shock can cause burns and other injuries, and even non-fatal shocks can lead to long-term medical issues. The motor housing is connected to the equipment grounding conductor unless it is a double insulated pump in which case the grid needs to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the pump. All above ground swimming pool motors or pool pumps circulate the water. This is a situation that no one wants to get into so it is best to spend the money to have that GFCI protection in place. My bond loop going in getting buried under the crushed rock base by my #1 helper. If you happen to touch both the motor and another surface with lower charge, the electricity will flow through you as it seeks the ground. I don't have the pump yet but it's a "Hayward 1HP". For the perimeter surfaces, the equipotential bonding grid is to extend under paved walking surfaces for 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool unless separated from the pool by a permanent wall or building 1.5 m (5 ft) or more in height. It should connect in a similar way as in the image to the left. Amperage is the amount of electricity that runs through the electric wires. Signs of wear and tear to look for include frayed or corroded wires, loose connections, and missing bonding wire. We can tell you all about pool wiring and everything you need to know to wire it safely. This will keep things from tripping and stop any issues from happening if the circuit does go out. Even though this is required in the building code, it is often omitted by the company installing the pool. Bonding requirements are an important and unique protective method employed to increase the safety of the users of bodies of water such as pools, spas, and hot tubs. An electrical risk and/or shock hazard can occur when a pool is not properly bonded. Bonding connects the conductive elements of the pool structure, nearby metallic objects, and electrical equipment enclosures together. Some clamps or connectors are suitable for use with pipe only or with reinforcing rods only. Also, be certain all the manufacturers instructions are followed. The bonding connection between the various components of the equipotential bonding grid can be made with a series of solid copper conductor(s) or with rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified corrosion-resistant metal. How To Bond An Above Ground Swimming Pool - MGK Pools Inc Why is Electrical Bonding and Grounding in Your Pool Important? The Basics of Pool Bonding Wire: A Must-Know for Pool Owners Secure the bond wire with the screw on the external bonding lug. This is because the electric current is seeking the path of least resistance toward a positive charge. Copper conductor grid system must conform to the contour of the inground pool shell. Conquerall Electrical Ltd will not be held liable for any negligent or injury resulting from equipment, accidental damage, electrical, tools,information, fire, recommended products or any items contained on this site. Bonding vs Grounding. Thumbtack | Care for Your Home | Find Local Pros & Reviews. The same equipotential bonding can be achieved with a series of multiple short bonding jumpers from such things as ladders, diving boards, metal fences, etc., to the structural metal rebar that often makes up the conductive pool shell (belly steel) and the perimeter surface (deck steel) (see figure 2). What Is Pool Bonding and Grounding? Everything You Need to Know - Angi Grounding serves two purposes. Bonding and grounding are two of the most essential electrical safety tasks pool owners must perform. You are using an out of date browser. Bonding can help create a strong and effective grounding system by connecting metal components together and to the earths surface. Im on the side that says the wall is one continuous piece and theres no way I would add holes for additional bonds, I personally thinks thats pretty obviously unnecessary. Please go to the recent issues to find up-to-date content. The cause can be faulty pool light wiring, improper bonding or grounding of equipment, failed Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), or dropping power tools in the pool. It is unclear if that is what happened in Florence, when two people died following a pool electrocution. I'm having an above-ground pool installed and I was hoping to run the electrical myself. 6. It should be noted that metal parts of listed equipment incorporating an approved system of double insulation, such as a double-insulated pool pump motor, are prohibited from being bonded to the equipotential bonding grid. After the swimming pool has been cleared up and the chemicals are balanced then you can cut the time back on the pool pump running. I have seen above ground pools that are installed on a hill where one side has the hill dug out so that the base of the pool is level. This can be done either with ground electrodes directly into the earth. If youre ready for a relaxing glamping trip, here are the best portable hot tubs. In addition you should also have GFCI protection on any pool related equipment that is electrical. The wire must also be durable and resistant to corrosion. Pool Electrical Bonding & Grounding Guide for Safety - Waypoint However, depending on your setup you may also be able to tie your pool grounding into your main electrical panel and rely on the grounding there. to 600 mm (24 in.) Grounding & bonding of electrical systems | NFPA Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, WHNT News 19 Sales Team Broadcast and Digital. As a general rule, all permanent structure above ground or in ground swimming pools should be wired or consulted with by a certified electrician. The pool people do all of the bonding to the metal surrounding the pool, including decking, ladders, pool structure itself etc. Keith holds a Master Electrician license from the State of Texas and has Electrical Inspector certifications from IAEI and ICC. 1.5 m or 5 feet is a rule for GFCI protection from any water source. Does a Pool Deck Need To Be Bonded? - Backyard Pool Guy Keith is also a member of the technical committee for NFPAs Guide on Electrical Inspections (NFPA 78) and the Standard for Electrical Inspector Professional Qualifications (NFPA 1078). But experts ask you to take steps to ensure swimmers will stay safe, if there is an electric fault. I frequently see it on swimming pools.. Bonding Issues for Above Ground Pool | Trouble Free Pool pool motors. This difference in charge is known as electrical potential. This charge naturally wants to balance out by flowing toward materials that have a neutral or positive charge. Section 250.4 (A) (1) states that grounded electrical systems "shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-voltage . Bonding is required to eliminate voltage gradients (rises in voltage potential) in the pool area. I put a lug under one of the bolts. If these conductive parts are mechanically, electrically, and intentionally bonded (married) together, there is typically no shock hazard present as these conductive parts are always at the same voltage potential. Allen gave you a link to Mike Holt's site and to the code, which is a great place to start. A swimming pool or spa installation must follow a couple of rules when it comes to overhead electrical lines: Utility power lines that run over a pool or spa must be at least 22.5 feet above the water level or base of a diving platform. But, as you can imagine, electrical safety is very important whenever water is involved. If you paid him to bond the perimeter of your pool he needs to come back & do it properly like the video above. I don't think that is the correct way to bond a pool. This is in 680.22 (A)(1). The sole purpose of this bonding conductor is to eliminate any voltage gradients or differences in voltage potential in and around the pool area. In a case like this, the human body can serve as a conductor between two conductive parts at different voltage potentials if contact is made with these conductive parts. I am sure they know how to do it. Please Check with Your Municipality Before Installing a Swimming Pool. To explain the difference in grounding and bonding to me, a sage mogul once used the analogy of a marriage. Without proper bonding and grounding, you and other pool users run the risk of electric shock when using your pool or equipment. diameter trade sizes only. Here are examples of other metal near a pool bonded! Most 2 hp pump do not come in 120 volt so they can simply not be plugged in I will need to be hardwired. A typical above ground pool pump will require a 20-amp breaker and use #12 gauge wire . Without the proper GFCI protection you could be putting yourself at risk to electrocution while in the pool. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. As part of its commitment to enhancing public safety, NFPA makes its codes and standards available online to the public for free. Does An Above Ground Pool Wiring Need To Be On Its Own Circuit? As stated previously, accessible metal parts of listed equipment incorporating an approved system of double insulation and providing a means for grounding internal nonaccessible, noncurrent-carrying metal parts are not permitted to be bonded by direct connection to the bonding grid. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Without bonding, there is a risk that electrical current could flow through the water, metal components, and swimmers in the pool, potentially causing electric shock. Code limits the length of a pump cord with a plug to 3 feet. Prior to his position with IAEI, Keith spent sixteen years as the Chief Electrical Inspector for Garland, Texas. How to Ground and Bond Hayward Pool Pumps | Hunker If this is the case, the. Grounding prevents shock through faults in an electrical system, while bonding prevents shock through differential currents running through the pool's metallic components. The required bonding is accomplished by connecting all the parts together by an adequately sized and properly connected series of copper bonding conductor(s) or other recognized bonding methods. Most bonding work is solely done around water features like pools and hot tubs. My resin pool is bonded one place, at the seam. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. We're giving away an exclusive e-book to our subscribers! Figure 1. 6 AWG in Canada). The conductor(s) are required to follow the contour of the perimeter surface (deck steel).These alternative conductor(s) must also meet the following: Permitted to be spliced but only utilizing listed splices or splice kits. For example I run my swim pool pump for hours on in four hours off on a timer. You're reading an outdated article. This difference in charge is known as electrical potential. Lighting Ideas For Front Of House By Electrician, GFCI Breaker For Pool Pump- Do I Need One For Code. GFCI protection or ground fault is a must on any type of water source. Most of the inlet and outlet sizes on the pool are the same 1.5 hp. Electrical components, such as pumps, and non-current-carrying metallic components, such as pool rails, are electrically interconnected (bonded) and grounded to the earth so that electrical potential cannot exist between them. One of these measures is the bonding together of conductive portions of the pool and metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool. with the bare #8 wire, leaving the end of the bond wire for the electrician to complete at the equipment pad. What If My Pool Is Not Bonded? If the exothermic welding process is used, it is critical to use the proper form or mold. This requirement will also ensure a secure connection on what are often widely different sizes of reinforcing bar or rod and the 8 AWG bonding conductor. Where structural reinforcing steel is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound or where unencapsulated structural reinforcing steel is not available or utilized, an alternative means consisting of copper conductor(s) would then be required to meet the following requirements: For the equipotential bonding grid, a clear distinction must be drawn, and attention needs to be directed to the difference between the copper conductor grid system as an alternative for the conductive pool shell and the copper conductor(s) alternate means for the perimeter surfaces. How long do soft-sided pools last? - Remodel or Move Youre not going mix water and electricity, water is very constructive. The installation of pool bonding wire is a job best left to qualified professionals. However with the cost difference most consumers will run 30 amp circuit which is 10 gauge. Exposed or buried wiring must be listed for its application. There are metal panels all the way around, four feet down, from the top of this concrete pool. Bonding creates a low-resistance path for electrical current to flow, preventing the buildup of electrical charge and reducing the risk of electrical shock. If you want to learn more about how to keep your pool up to code and safe to use, you'll want to research your specific area's code requirements. I would contact your local building department for the specific code specifications. GET YOUR CEUS TODAY, 1998-2021. Bonding and grounding of pool associated components and equipment. Furthermore, if you don't do the work correctly, you could also put other people using your pool at risk. GFCI receptacle, a faceless GFCI or GFCI breaker, pool pump heaters are much larger and require a GFCI breaker, electrical service to a separate sub panel. I am going to use junction box and my understanding is the j box has to be listed for pool use so I cant use a pvc carlon box or something like that. If your pool people don't know this you are in trouble. You are using an out of date browser. In so look out for that in your deal when youre purchasing a new swimming pool. 680.26(B) Bonded Parts. Of course all the other necessary equipment and water are tied to the bond loop as well. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Metal parts of electric equipment associated with the pool water circulating system, including pump motors and metal parts of equipment associated with pool covers, including electric motors. TAKING ACTION: How to check your pool's bonding to keep - WHNT.com This equalization allows you to safely use your pool equipment without risking electric shocks. The usual steel tie wires are considered suitable for bonding the reinforcing steel together, and welding, brazing or special clamping is not required. The purpose of bonding wire is to prevent electrical shock by redirecting electrical current away from people and equipment and into the ground. To prevent any stray current from finding its way in? Consult the connector manufacturers specifications for the proper model connector. A licensed electrician who specializes in swimming pool electrical systems would be an excellent choice to install bonding wire for a pool. Second, most jurisdictions require bonding and grounding to be done by a licensed electrician or to have an electriciancheck the work once you've installed it. People can be killed. #1 I'm having an above-ground pool installed and I was hoping to run the electrical myself. L. Keith Lofland is the former Director of Technical Services and Director of Education, Codes, and Standards for IAEI. Pool bonding, or equipotential bonding, refers to creating an equal, balanced level of electrical potential among all conductive parts of a pool by using pool bonding wire to build a low-impedance pathway between these electrical and metallic parts. The goal is to provide a means of equalizing the voltage potential of all equipment and parts. Here, we'll cover the basics of bonding and grounding pool equipment and why it's so important that it is done correctly. First, a ground conductor provides a low resistance path to conduct lightning strikes to the earth. If the metal components of the pool are not bonded together, the current could pass through a person or equipment, potentially causing serious injury or even death. Although we are using subcontractors and everything is inspected, I personally want to make sure all electrical bonding and grounding is completed correctly.

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