Ground Rod

[Spoiledrotten]

Is it necessary to have a dedicated ground rod for the HT? Mine is grounded back to the main panel coming into the house. That panel is at one end of the house and the HT is on the other end. Of course, it is running through a 50 amp breaker and then through the 30/20 amp GFCI box, but it doesn't have a ground rod close to the tub. Your thoughts? Should I add one?

[TwinCitiesHotSpring]

you'd have to call to check your local code, they are not required where I am but codes vary obviously

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

No no no no no.

Grounding (earthing) of electrical equipment doesn't provide a low-impedance fault-current path to clear ground faults (translation: "lower" voltages don't travel well, or freely, through the surface of the earth). In fact, according to the NEC, code prohibits the use of the earth (a grounding rod) as the sole return path because it's a poor conductor of current at voltage levels below 600V [250.4(A)(5) and 250.45(B)(4)]. In reality what this could do is potentially electrify the ground around the spa and has the potential of ELECTROCUTING you. If you were to be standing on the ground and touch something that IS properly grounded you could be fatally electrocuted (electricity in the electrified ground travels up through you and out to what your touching, which is properly grounded). There's actually a documented case of this happen at a fish farm in the UK. The little fishies were periodically being electrocuted from an improperly grounded/bonded power line TWO MILES AWAY.

The only place grounding through a grounding rod should be done is at the main electrical panel (that's main panel, not sub panel). The reason a main electrical panel is grounded through a grounding rod is to limit the voltage imposed on the entire electrical system by lightning, unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines, or line surges.

[Spoiledrotten]

Thanks Doc. I didn't think you would need extra, but since my brother stated his electrician said he needed one, I wanted to see if mine was correct. I do not have an additional rod, so I'm going to pass this to him so he can address it with his electrician.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

No offense to anyone, but if an electrician suggests or recommends an additional Grounding rod, I would question he's overall abilities and knowledge. There are classes on "Grounding vs Bonding"..they run anywhere from 1 to 3 days (obviously, a long, complicated, in-depth subject).

[Spoiledrotten]

I appreciate it. I just called my brother (the one that told me his electrician said to put one down) and told him to check with other electricians on the matter. I sent him your post, Dr. Spa. I told him that your post made sense. I wasn't putting anything else on mine and wanted to be sure his family wasn't being put in danger by the additional rod. He said he would get opinions on that from a couple of master electricians in his congregation. I'm giving him my "vintage" spa, and would certainly feel pretty bad if it was installed wrong and caused them injury. Thanks again!