If the solution rests with government mandates, it's in ensuring the qualifications of those who work on pool and spa electrical systems, he says. Additionally, some products entering the market — high and low voltage — incorporate new barriers to stray current, such as all-plastic niches or hermetically sealed single assemblies. WHAT CAN I USE AS A WATER BONDING DEVICE? With this bonding method it is important to ensure that the pool water always remains in contact with the anode to meet all NEC requirements. A new tin plated copper lay-in lug was installed and the broken bonding wire was spliced together using a copper C tap and a crimping tool. All components such as handrails and ladders that have anchors recessed into the patio are bonded by connecting the copper wire to the side of the anchor. There is only so much that can be accomplished through code.
"If those conductors touch the side of the metal opening that they go into to get into the motor, now the motor casing becomes energized and you have a serious shock or electrocution hazard. This is the type of installation deficiency that can go unnoticed for years since everything apparently functions properly. BONDING WIRE REPAIR. Check any pool heating to see that it is double insulated to water. 21 Do not connect power wires until the ground wire installation is completed. Consequently the pool controls were a little shaky and the upright strut could be easily swayed. Contractors who believe they are the same thing may only install one.
I drilled and tapped holes in the strut and used stainless steel 10/32 screws with nuts to attach the lay-in lugs to the strut. If you have any further questions on bonding or grounding of pool systems, comment below! These bonding wires may come loose or get pulled out and need to be re-connected properly. There are many other items that should be bonded besides the images above. Metal fences, pool ladders and other metal items near the pool should also be to consult? The tragedy made international headlines, even garnering a viral social-media campaign in which people — including some celebrities — posed with a self-portrait Calder had drawn, labeled with his nickname, "Mr. WHAT IS POOL BONDING?
Instead, they should be placed in liquid-tight connectors so the edges of the opening can't rub against the wire and wear away the insulation. An approved bolt connector is included for attaching to the pool bonding wire or grid. The required nine square inches of metal in the water can be satisfied through the use of a submersed metal pool accessory such as a light or ladder, or if no submersed metal component is used, through the use of a metal plate known as a "Bondsafe 680" installed in the throat of the skimmer. Rotate post counter-clockwise until hex flats are aligned as shown below. Some claim it is the second-highest cause of death in pools and spas, after drowning. All swimming pool equipment that contains metal should be bonded. The first thing you need to do is contact your pool guy or a certified electrician to troubleshoot the problem.
Although it does have a bonding wire connected, the lug is not approved for two wires, only one. But this is a bad idea for a few reasons. "The dangerous part of that scenario is when the homeowner turns on the pump, it runs, and they don't know whether it's installed safely or not. In fact, some industry statistics show nicheless lighting slowly gaining on traditional wet niche pool lighting. Twelve-volt wiring and 120-volt wiring should never occupy the same space, with one exception: inside the enclosure where the low voltage is created. There is a chance the pool was improperly bonded if the pool was built before recent changes to the electrical code were enforced.
To address those concerns, Holt considers low-voltage lighting the best option. Within that blog, we briefly mentioned pool bonding and grounding. Does anyone have any pictures of what all I need to use to attach the bonding wire to the steel wall panels? Anything metal within three feet from the inside wall of the pool must be bonded to the same #8 wire. Huge shoutout to Jon Bolton from Home Inspection University Florida for sharing all of the images above with us!
With this article, we are going to take a deeper look into bonding pool equipment and why you need to do it. A task such as changing a motor may seem simple; however, grounding and bonding wires must be installed correctly, with the right connectors. Do not use stranded wire for pool or hot tub bonding. There is also a clear lid that can be easily removed to access the anode or bonding plate. In fact, NEC requirements are the bare minimum for safety. Bonding lug or wire missing. By not bonding the equipment, you allow a potential difference (voltage) to exist between each component. According to the NEC the number one purpose of the code is "the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.
Although an electrician is contracted to install power points for a pool pump and equipment, the electrician must also be aware of pool or spa zone regulations. Media misinterpretation and even an interview misstep by one of his own allies portrayed him as claiming that Calder would be alive if his pool had had a low-voltage light. The opportunity for error comes with the installation and the repair/replacement of lights and equipment. It seems the goal was increased brightness; however, the alteration flew in the face of the NEC, not only because the voltage exceeded the 150-volt limit, but also because it involved components not listed for use with the lights. The included bolt connector attaches directly to the pool bonding wire. Installing these systems requires the use of proper components, from wires to connectors, and the ability to adapt to different settings and equipment brands.
As a metal component the light must be bonded, and by creating a wet niche bond the pool water itself is properly bonded. Lay-in lugs are favorable for use on pool equipment because it makes it easy to replace the equipment without having to take apart all of the bonding connections. Question of illumination. 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. And now, anyone is in the pool can become electrocuted.
Common pool lighting is housed in a metal "wet niche. " "A pool environment can be a lot more corrosive than just an environment out in the dirt somewhere, " Hamilton says. The ground wire can be connected with wire nuts, terminal screws, crimp or other approved connectors. It chose us; we didn't choose it. The metal reinforcement used in the 36" of the pool patio surrounding the pool. Like any electrical component, they require correct installation, with the appropriate transformer and wiring, as well as bonding and grounding if they sit in a metal niche.
Connect the bond wire to the external bonding lug. For this reason, they believe code should not ban high-voltage lights. There is no difference in potential, making the environment much safer. When the pool is built, it will incorporate a continuous steel rebar grid within the concrete pool wall. The meter should indicate continuity.
Don't forget: above ground pools are included in the NEC water bonding requirements! The outlet cuts power to the shorting device and provides a safe ground path for the electricity. However, for many people, this is one of the most puzzling aspects of pool construction. The issue here is that bits and pieces are added to the pool environment over time. Installation Instructions: 1. Without Bonding Examples.
By bonding the equipment, you are forcing each piece to have the same electrical potential, which limits the potential for damage from galvanic corrosion. Just as important, an improperly wired low-voltage system still can function as a path for stray current generated from another source: As it seeks to complete the circuit, the current could travel through the grounding wire, for instance, to water. Because these lights operate at a very low voltage, they are less inherently dangerous when taken on their own. All requirements for equipotential bonding, including bonding of the pool water, can be found in NEC Section 680. 26 Equipotential Bonding is what is used to determine the necessary swimming pool bonding methods needed for each pool. Secure the bond wire with the screw on the external bonding lug. NEC bonding requirements apply to in ground and above ground pools, and includes all metal components, equipment and the water itself.
However, the accounts of some incidents are somewhat unspecific or based on hearsay. Instead, he's found incidents related to inadequate, damaged or absent bonding in concrete pools, as well as concurrent sources of stray current related to the wiring in other premises. In other words, they are at the same electrical potential. This is because the electric current is seeking the path of least resistance toward a positive charge. Individuals on both sides of the lighting argument agree that increasing electrical safety in pools and spas extends past the niche. In most cases, the easiest way for electrons to flow is by following the electrical circuit from the charged wire to the neutral one. Voltage also is referred to as potential. ) Bonding of conductive material within arm's reach of the pool or spa edge. But, as you can imagine, electrical safety is very important whenever water is involved.