Tub Location Restrictions

[Buckeye]

After talking with an electrician over the phone yesterday, I was told that "any" electrical equipment such as a hot tub/outlet/fixture/ etc. should be at least 10 ft from my service entrance panal (the box below my meter) to technically meet the National Electric Code.  They are sending a person over tomorrow for an estimate, but this info came as a suprise.  

Now that I think about it, there is a 220V Central Air unit sitting approx 4 feet from it already that, from the way that she's speaking would be in violation too.  It wasn't in violation on our closing papers,  and the house is only 3 years old???

Anybody familiar?

Buckeye  

[spaguyohio]

Im not an electrician, but when I got my tub, the dealre told me the gfi/disconnect had to be at least 5 feet from the tub. The reasoning in simple English is so that someone cant be in the tub and getting ready to fondle a live circuit at the same time.  I'd call a few others and see what they have to say.

[doodoo]

Im not an electrician, but when I got my tub, the dealre told me the gfi/disconnect had to be at least 5 feet from the tub. The reasoning in simple English is so that someone cant be in the tub and getting ready to fondle a live circuit at the same time

It's the same in Canada about this disctance.  And Buckeye, like you my central AC unit has a disconnect not one foot from the unit.  And that was installed and inspected in a 30 year old home by the local utility inspector.

So when it comes to codes and reality, these are two different things. My GFI panel is only a foot from the tub but below my removable step which access the panels for the mechanicals of the tub.  The inspector said, ''well I guess you can't reach that without some effort!'' and signed off on the work.  Hey whatever works for me.  OH! and the dealer also agreed to the panel because I made them aware of it at installation time to not void the warranty.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

It's the same in Canada about this disctance.  And Buckeye, like you my central AC unit has a disconnect not one foot from the unit.  And that was installed and inspected in a 30 year old home by the local utility inspector.

So when it comes to codes and reality, these are two different things. My GFI panel is only a foot from the tub but below my removable step which access the panels for the mechanicals of the tub.  The inspector said, ''well I guess you can't reach that without some effort!'' and signed off on the work.  Hey whatever works for me.  OH! and the dealer also agreed to the panel because I made them aware of it at installation time to not void the warranty.

Actually the code reads as 5' from the water line, OR separated by a permanent barrier so that the distance of reach from the water line is greater than 5'.

A disconnect CAN be much closer to an air-conditioner since it's not a vat of water you might be sitting in when you reach for the disconnect, and possibly electrocute yourself (a disconnect being quite different than the originally mentioned "service entrance panel").

[wmccall]

Anybody familiar?

Buckeye  

I certainly never heard that from a dealer when discussing generalities about installation prep.  I wonder if having a sealed unit designed to be outside under the weather (AC unit)  would be different than a large body of heavily treated water.  Having a electrical/electronic background I can see the logic of not having the two close together but I would think any electrical box outside should be built to withstand severe wind/water conditions.

Intriquing question, be glad they pointed this out before delivery day and you poured cement.  Does this effect your installation plans?

By chance to you live in a condo with adjoining walls to neighbors?  I've noticed around Columbus in such cases there are external service panels , but most single family homes, the drop comes into the meter and then through conduit to the main breaker panel.

I've always assumed that fire/rescue people needed to be able to kill power to adjoining buildings in emergencies.

[Electro]

H..mmn,

There just might be an error or two among these posts.  Distances of one foot, 5 feet, 10 feet.  It is beginning to look like this is a multiple choice test.  Obviously, it is possible that an electrical inspector could be wrong and not understand the whys and wherefores of code rules.

Electro

[OnMedic]

Yes, here is Ontario (Canada) it is 5'. Must be in line of sight from the tub, and if not have a lockable panel. Underground cable (direct burrial or conduit) must be a minimum of 18" below grade with Red Caution tape running 8-10" down.

You can place your GFCI pannel outside, or you can install it inside with a disconnect outside (same as your A/C) no leass then 5' from your tub as outlined above.

Hope this help! Just went through it and was on the phone a couple times to triple check with the local Electrical Safety Authority inspector.

Cheers,

OnMedic

[Buckeye]

I think the lady I talked to on the phone had the distance from the meter thing a little messed up.  It's distance from the tub.

I had an electrician stop over for some estimates on Friday.  My first problem was that where I had planned on sitting my hot tub once my deck is built will not meet code.    Fortunately, I can flip-flop my deck design layout so that the tub and it's planned privacy fence will me on the other side.  My first violation would have been that I would have been placing the tub on a 2ft high deck and it would have been sitting directly overtop of underground electric, cable and phone lines - this is a no-no.
As for some of the other distance questions the only one I'm sure of is that the tub's disconnect must be a minimum of 5 feet of the tub, no more than 50 feet away, and visible from the tub.  I actually emailed a guy who's considered an advisor to the NEC (National Electric Code) and he wasn't sure about some of it .
I also learned from my electrician that I couldn't have any outlets (I think lighting too, but don't quote me) within 5 feet of the tub.  This is a good thing to know if your planning for both a hot tub and a deck or patio for it at the same time.
I tried to call my local building department 4 different days last week and nobody picked up the phone.  I also called the supervisor of the city electrical inspectors - Neither have called back  :-Xssholes

Hope this info saves somebody from facing problems,

Buckeye