Electrician and Inspector of the Day, May 15, 2012

[jar546]

Found this while doing a private septic inspection for the homeowner: This is an exterior hot tub setup signed off by the code official.

 

[Dennis]

Oops-- they got away with it too... The flex looks longer than 6'--No good either 680.42(A). Is there equipotential bonding?

 

[Dennis]

Is the disco more than 5' from the tub----680.12

 

[jar546]

Oops-- they got away with it too... The flex looks longer than 6'--No good either 680.42(A). Is there equipotential bonding?

I have no idea but I seriously doubt it.

Disco <5' from tub

Flex longer than 6'

NM-B cable in conduit outside

Lack of insulated ground

PCV clamps too far apart

No clamps on flex

what else is there I wonder what we can't see such as equipotential bond???????

 

[Dennis]

I probably wouldn't loose sleep over the equipotential bond as there is a TIA on that which allows a tub to forego the installation under most conditions. If the epb is there it would be connected to the ground lug on the outside of the motor.

Actually the equipment ground does not have to be insulated if it is in a single family dwelling and it is part of a cable. It must be covered or insulated. This is a moot point since the nm is not compliant outdoors in a raceway anyway.

 

[steveray]

They cannot use NM if there is an underwater luminaire also...correct? That doesn't cut and paste so good......

TABLE E4102.1 ALLOWABLE APPLICATIONS FOR WIRING METHODS a, b, c, d, e, f, g

WIRING LOCATION OR PURPOSE

AC, FMC, NM, SR, SEb

EMTc

ENTb

IMC, RMC, RNC

LFMC

LFNMC

UF

MC

Flex

Cordg

Panelboard(s) that supply pool equipment: from service equipment to panelboard

Ae

A

—

A

—

A

Ae

Ae

—

Wet-niche and no-niche luminaires: from branch circuit OCPD to deck or junction box

—

A

A

A

—

A

—

—

—

Wet-niche and no-niche luminaires: from deck or junction box to forming shell

—

—

—

Ad

—

A

—

—

A

Dry niche: from branch circuit OCPD to luminaires

—

A

A

A

—

A

—

—

—

Pool-associated motors: from branch circuit OCPD to motor

A

A

A

A

Af

Af

Ab

A

A

Packaged or self-contained outdoor spas and hot tubs with underwater luminaire: from branch circuit OCPD to spa or hot tub

—

A

A

A

—

Af

—

—

A

 

[Dennis]

The NEC refers to art. 680.42© last sentence where a light is installed but it is my understanding if the light is part of the factory unit then all is well. If a light is added to the factory installed tub then the light must be wired per part II of the NEC.