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Right Guage of Wire for the job

Hi, Nikki. If you're at the skill level where you're wondering what wire to use, I'd recommend against doing it yourself. It's easy to create a potentially lethal situation here unless you do things right. Look at your local building and elecrical codes for pools and/or hot tubs -- it will tell you some of the necessary requirements. Look particularly at the setback requirements for the disconnect box (profoundly important), and the GFCI requirement (also profoundly important).

If you don't want to hire an electrician, at least look around for someone knowledgeable who can kibbitz and give you the hints you need, as well as being able to check out your work.

Good luck Chris

Reply to
Chris
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Hi Guys We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two pumps. My guess would be 10-3 Nikki

Reply to
Nikki

The wire size is determined by the current requirement, and length of cable run from the breaker panel. #10 wire is good for 30 amps, but you should go to #8 if the cable run is over 60 ft.

As another poster suggests, from the wording of your question, I would recommend that you get a qualified electrician to do the electrical work.

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Peter Bennett, VE7CEI  
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Reply to
Peter Bennett

Devices where human sits in water require extra considerations. For example, wire gauge for an essential safety ground wire. If located outside, then gauge for buried ground wire must also be considered. Some jurisdictions even require a dedicated 6 AWG bare copper wire from tub direct to breaker box safety ground. Also required is the GFCI. Numbers were not provided (volts and amps) - as if all heaters and pumps have same electrical requirements. 'No numbers' suggests insufficient technical knowledge.

Due to dangers > Hi Guys

Reply to
w_tom

For a good answer, go to any hot-tub store and pose the question to them. I've never been in a hot-tub store where they would not go out of their way to be helpful - they want your future business.

I use a gas heater for mine, so I'm using a direct bury, 12-3 with ground cable to get the 220V there via a 20A breaker. The code did not require a GFCI, as the pumps, lights, and blower are all air-switch controlled.

Have fun..... Nothing is more relaxing than a long soak.

Don

Reply to
Don Bowey

An amusing picture of how not to use an electric drill near water:

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Reply to
Matty F

Is that really water, or a polyethylene drop cloth?

Thanks! Rich

Reply to
Rich Grise

There's a drop cloth that drapes into the pool. It looks like the bottom two rungs of the ladder are covered in water. The operator has bare feet and is wet to his waist, probably because he had to wade to reach the ladder. When he climbs down he will have to hold the cable connection to stop it falling in the water. Are those bottles of booze on the side of the pool that the workmen have been enjoying? But he's following the instructions for the drill manual - he's wearing safety goggles. Nowhere does it say that all the other things he's doing are dangerous.

Reply to
Matty F

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