8.1 Swimming Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs (Article 680)

Swimming Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs (Article 680)

Article 680 is the most-tested article in the "Special Equipment" area. Water, wet skin, and grounded metal make pools uniquely dangerous, so the article combines distance rules, GFCI rules, and equipotential bonding. Expect questions on these distances: 5, 6, 10, 12, and 20 feet around the pool, and 18 inches below the water.

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1. Overhead and Underground Wiring

Overhead conductor clearances (Table 680.9(A)), measured from the maximum water level, the edge of the water, the base of a diving structure, or a permanently anchored raft:

The clearance applies horizontally out to at least 10 feet beyond the inside wall of the pool. Communication cables need 10 feet over the water. Overhead wiring in a raceway is not subject to the table.

Underground wiring (680.11):

• It may not run under the pool unless it supplies pool equipment the article permits.
• Within 5 feet horizontally of the inside wall, it must be in a complete raceway system: RMC, IMC, or a nonmetallic raceway listed for the location.
• Cover depth follows Table 300.5.

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2. Disconnects, Motors, and Equipment

Maintenance disconnect (680.12). One or more means must simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors for all utilization equipment other than lighting. Each must be readily accessible, within sight of its equipment, and at least 5 feet horizontally from the inside walls, unless a permanent barrier separates it from the water.

Pool pump motors (680.21):

• Wiring: Chapter 3 wiring methods are used in noncorrosive areas. In corrosive environments (680.14), such as equipment rooms storing pool chemicals, use RMC, IMC, PVC, RTRC, LFNC, or jacketed Type MC listed for the location. Include an insulated copper EGC no smaller than 12 AWG.
• GFCI: Outlets supplying pool motors on branch circuits rated 150 V or less to ground and 60 A or less, single- or 3-phase, need Class A GFCI protection. This applies to both hardwired and cord-connected motors, and it applies when a pump motor is replaced.

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3. Receptacles, Luminaires, and Switches Around the Pool (680.22)

Storable pools (680.32). All electrical equipment used with a storable or above-ground portable pool needs GFCI protection, as do the 125–250-V, 15- and 20-A receptacles within 20 ft.

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4. Underwater Luminaires (680.23, 680.24)

• Voltage: No underwater luminaire may operate on a supply circuit over 150 V between conductors. Luminaires operating above the low-voltage contact limit need GFCI protection in the branch circuit. That limit is 15 V RMS ac (sinusoidal), 21.2 V peak (nonsinusoidal ac), 30 V continuous dc, or 12.4 V peak for dc interrupted at 10–200 Hz.
• Mounting depth: The top of the lens of a wall-mounted luminaire must be at least 18 inches below the normal water level, unless the luminaire is listed for a lesser depth. No luminaire may be less than 4 inches below the normal water level.
• Wet-niche luminaires: The fixture is removable from a forming shell, so the cord coil must allow the luminaire to be lifted onto the deck for service. A metal forming shell is bonded with an 8 AWG insulated copper bonding jumper where nonmetallic conduit enters it.
• Deck junction box (680.24(A)(2)): It must be raised at least 4 inches above the ground or deck, or 8 inches above the maximum water level, whichever is higher. It must also be at least 4 ft from the inside wall unless separated by a permanent barrier.

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5. Equipotential Bonding (680.26)

Bonding ties together all conductive parts a swimmer might touch, so there is no voltage difference between them. It is not about tripping breakers. The equipotential bonding grid does not need to extend to the service panel or a grounding electrode.

Parts that must be bonded (680.26(B)):

1. Conductive pool shells. Bond the structural reinforcing steel, or an 8 AWG solid bare copper grid in a 12 × 12 inch pattern conforming to the pool contour.
2. Perimeter surfaces extending 3 feet horizontally beyond the inside walls, including unpaved surfaces. Bond them through the reinforcing steel, or with a copper ring of 8 AWG solid bare copper placed 18–24 inches from the inside walls and 4–6 inches below subgrade.
3. Metallic components of the pool structure.
4. Underwater lighting forming shells and mounting brackets.
5. Metal fittings attached to the pool.
6. Electrical equipment of the circulation system, such as pump motors.
7. Fixed metal parts within 5 feet horizontally and 12 feet vertically of the maximum water level, such as fences, railings, and metal door frames, unless separated by a permanent barrier.

Conductor. Use solid copper, insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG, with listed pressure connectors or clamps. Make connections with stainless steel, brass, or copper hardware, or by exothermic welding.

Pool water (680.26(C)). If none of the bonded parts is in direct contact with the water, provide a corrosion-resistant conductive surface with at least 9 square inches of area in contact with the water at all times.

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6. Spas and Hot Tubs (680 Part IV)

• Outlet GFCI (680.44): The outlet supplying a self-contained spa or hot tub, a packaged equipment assembly, or a field-assembled spa or hot tub must be GFCI-protected.
• Indoor receptacles (680.43(A)): Receptacles must be at least 6 ft from the inside wall. 125-V receptacles rated 30 A or less within 10 ft need GFCI protection.
• Emergency shutoff switch (680.41): In other than single-family dwellings, a clearly labeled switch must stop the recirculation and jet motors. It must be readily accessible to users, at least 5 ft away, adjacent to the spa, and within sight of it. Hotels, health clubs, and similar facilities need one; a backyard tub at a single-family home does not.
• Bonding: Metal fittings, motors, and metal surfaces near the tub are bonded, though listed self-contained units have relaxed rules.

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7. Common Exam Traps

• Pool GFCI receptacle zone: It extends 20 ft from the inside wall. The spa GFCI zone for indoor receptacles is 10 ft.
• Required receptacle: It must be between 6 ft and 20 ft from the pool.
• Bonding conductor: 8 AWG solid copper. It does not need to run to the panel or an electrode.
• Underwater lens: The top of the lens is 18 inches below the normal water level.
• Overhead span: Insulated triplex supported by a messenger needs 22.5 ft over the water.