Any electricians?--Inground Pool wiring questions

Inspector507 · Jun 2, 2006

RoPie,
Bonded is indeed the correct term. Are the panels not bolted to each other? They are on almost all pools I've seen. If they are, just bond the panels one time. #8 Minimum copper.

Inspector507 · Jun 2, 2006

RoPie,
Bonded is indeed the correct term. Are the panels not bolted to each other? They are on almost all pools I've seen. If they are, just bond the panels one time. #8 Minimum copper.

Iowachild · Jun 2, 2006

Get a couple of other prices but I would STRONGLY suggest a licensed professional. 

Good advice. But be advised the first doesn't assure the second! Licensing requirements vary from state to state and PA as an example has no state level licensing. Shop around and get references also. Copper prices have skyrocketed, but going with the cheapest bid isn't necessarily best bet !!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Iowachild · Jun 2, 2006

Get a couple of other prices but I would STRONGLY suggest a licensed professional. 

Good advice. But be advised the first doesn't assure the second! Licensing requirements vary from state to state and PA as an example has no state level licensing. Shop around and get references also. Copper prices have skyrocketed, but going with the cheapest bid isn't necessarily best bet !!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RoPie · Jun 2, 2006

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Gotrocks-I plan on using Ground fault breakers from the panel, so the GFI protection is there. Found 2 500ft rolls of 10ga THWN (1 red, 1 white) in the garage of the last place I lived, so all I need to buy is a roll of green for the ground, and the bare copper for the bonding and my wire needs are met. Sometimes being a packrat pays off. #10 seems like overkill for a 1HP pump but it's what I have on hand. I should be able to get the rest of the materials I need for under $500. I gave up on running a new sub panel in the garage, so everything will be coming from the main panel which is about the same distance from the pool area.
Inspector507-I need to bond the handrails, ladders and stairs, and whatever mesh or rebar will be in the concrete, so I plan on running a loop of wire around the pool anyway. I've been told that connecting it to the panels once will be enough, but i figure a couple of connections will be better. Can't seem to find #8 unless i buy a full roll, so I'll be running #6 instead. Just found out that my neighbor's brother is an electrician, and he'll be checking out my work before I have it inspected.

RoPie · Jun 2, 2006

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Gotrocks-I plan on using Ground fault breakers from the panel, so the GFI protection is there. Found 2 500ft rolls of 10ga THWN (1 red, 1 white) in the garage of the last place I lived, so all I need to buy is a roll of green for the ground, and the bare copper for the bonding and my wire needs are met. Sometimes being a packrat pays off. #10 seems like overkill for a 1HP pump but it's what I have on hand. I should be able to get the rest of the materials I need for under $500. I gave up on running a new sub panel in the garage, so everything will be coming from the main panel which is about the same distance from the pool area.
Inspector507-I need to bond the handrails, ladders and stairs, and whatever mesh or rebar will be in the concrete, so I plan on running a loop of wire around the pool anyway. I've been told that connecting it to the panels once will be enough, but i figure a couple of connections will be better. Can't seem to find #8 unless i buy a full roll, so I'll be running #6 instead. Just found out that my neighbor's brother is an electrician, and he'll be checking out my work before I have it inspected.

sparkkky · Jun 2, 2006

(
For a new feed to a 100 amp breaker box, you're probably into a big multiple wire feed line. I'd think you could get the info on what size you need from Lowes or Home Depot. For a 50 amp breaker to my carriage house, I used 10 gauge 4 wire. That's about as big as I'd want to work with.

Ralph )

Number 10 should never have a bigger 30A breaker installed other then when it is approved by the equipment maker as pointed out by Inspector!

Learned methods are used while doing wiring besides the wire sizing most of you talk about here, box and pipe fill for example.

Most of my time electrical contracting is clean up while doing service work and I mean do it yourself guys!

sparkkky · Jun 2, 2006

(
For a new feed to a 100 amp breaker box, you're probably into a big multiple wire feed line. I'd think you could get the info on what size you need from Lowes or Home Depot. For a 50 amp breaker to my carriage house, I used 10 gauge 4 wire. That's about as big as I'd want to work with.

Ralph )

Number 10 should never have a bigger 30A breaker installed other then when it is approved by the equipment maker as pointed out by Inspector!

Learned methods are used while doing wiring besides the wire sizing most of you talk about here, box and pipe fill for example.

Most of my time electrical contracting is clean up while doing service work and I mean do it yourself guys!

RoPie · Jun 2, 2006

RalphVA- here in upstate New york we rarely, if ever se concrete pools going up (which is what i assume you have). The majority of inground pool are made of steel panels about 4 feet high that are bolted together to form the shape of the pool. the floor of the pool is a mixture of sand and portland cement which goes in dry, water is sprayed onto the mixture once in the bottom of the pool and that is formed into the floor and bottom half of the walls. The ground wire you say going from your pump motor under the pool somewhere is most likely the bonding wire that is atttached to the steel mesh or rebar that forms a concrete pool, it should not be connected anywhere to the grounding system of your home.

RoPie · Jun 2, 2006

RalphVA- here in upstate New york we rarely, if ever se concrete pools going up (which is what i assume you have). The majority of inground pool are made of steel panels about 4 feet high that are bolted together to form the shape of the pool. the floor of the pool is a mixture of sand and portland cement which goes in dry, water is sprayed onto the mixture once in the bottom of the pool and that is formed into the floor and bottom half of the walls. The ground wire you say going from your pump motor under the pool somewhere is most likely the bonding wire that is atttached to the steel mesh or rebar that forms a concrete pool, it should not be connected anywhere to the grounding system of your home.