Pool Bonding Electrical Code

These rules are current as of the 2017 edition of the nec a coding standard that is updated every three years while changes to the code are gradual it is always a good idea to check on the requirements of the latest edition of the nec.

Pool bonding electrical code.

Top 10 major code changes to look out for in the nec 2017. Bonding of metal parts of the electrical equipment makes a low impedance path for the fault current back to the source circuit to trip the over current device. A short overview of the relevant electrical safety requirements as found in the 5th edition of florida building code fbc is as follows. In other words all electrical equipment must comply with the provisions of the national electric code.

For added protection of all new pool installations the 2017 nec national electrical code article 680 has been amended. Non conductive pool shells must have a 8 or larger solid copper wire buried 4 6 below finished grade with such bond wire placed from18 24 from the inside pool wall around the pool equipotential bonding that which starts and returns terminates at the pool pump. The code requirements for the bonding of the pool water in 680 26 c were reworded for easier application. Your local building inspector can let you know what the most current guidelines are for electrical safety around pools and spas.

Fbc building chapter 4 section 454. Summer is the time of year when most swimming pool equipment hot tubs and spas are inspected and maintained to ensure that life saving measures such as ground fault circuit interrupter gfci protection and all grounding and bonding systems are functioning properly. Bonding bonding is required to get all metal parts of the electrical equipment and the non electrical metal parts of the pool spa structure to attain equal electrical potential. The number one concern of any professional installer has to be the safety of all pool swimmers.

Proper pool bonding is an extremely important topic. For example it addresses the connection of the copper bonding grid discussed in 680 26 b 1 b 1. Examples of 2020 national electrical code changes. Passed in 1968 the swimming pool code applies to new construction and reconstruction for all equipment in the image above.

The following codes and standards apply to swimming pools designed built and maintained and is not all inclusive. This includes conductive pool shells perimeter surfaces fixed metal parts underwater lighting electrical equipment metallic components metal fittings and. 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. When nonconductive structural reinforcing steel is used in a pool a bonding grid of 8 awg copper conductors is required.

There are many items mentioned in 680 26 required to be bonded together and placed at the same potential.