Breaker Panel Near Pool

I will have to look it up to know if it is code compliant. I wouldn’t do it if it is accessible from the pool area without having to do something to access it. A childhood friend got out of a pool to chase a ball and inadvertently touched an electrical enclosure. He was killed on the spot, 14 years old.

Sorry to hear about that. I want to make it safe. There is a stand alone metered box by the transformer that has 2 empty spots approx. 30 feet from pool, but I am not sure that will be enough. I want pool pump, heater, and convenience receptacle. So I need a timer as well all being gfci of course. Right now on that metered box is a 200 amp breaker going to house and 100 amp going to pole barn.

Sounds like a new pool installation, presumably above ground. Code requirements for a pool are more involved than just a breaker and gfci on a post. Im assuming if you are talking heater this isn't an inflatable pool or an intex temporary setup either.

You can put a breaker in a 3r enclosure on a post, code requires at least 6 feet from the pool.

I have my pool pump on a post with a timer and a gfci receptacle. My heater is a millivolt type so it doesn't need electric connection.

The pool pump and pool frame and pool heater need to be bonded. I.e. copper wire connects thrm to ground.

Also the frame needs an equipotential grid. Basically a bare copper wire burried around the perimeter conncted to the frame at 4 corners.

Filedorf said:

Can I mount a breaker panel on a post approx. 14-16 feet from swimming pool?

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Yes. You are well out of the minimum distance from the pool water. Edge of pool.

Old Thomas said:

I will have to look it up to know if it is code compliant. I wouldn’t do it if it is accessible from the pool area without having to do something to access it. A childhood friend got out of a pool to chase a ball and inadvertently touched an electrical enclosure. He was killed on the spot, 14 years old.

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Clearly an issue with the installation of the electrical system. That death had little to do with where the electrical enclosure was located.
Even then, he should have been protected and would be today.

It seems the OP is thinking about his grounding. I for sure hope he is and I would take it one step further.
I would hire a licensed, insured electrician that does pools regularly.
As you have pointed out. This can be a installation that can cause death or great bodily injury.
I am an electrician and most likely hire someone that is for one, up on all codes pertaining to pools and similar equipment.
Also I am not as physically fit anymore for this type of work.

J. V. said:

Yes. You are well out of the minimum distance from the pool water. Edge of pool.



Clearly an issue with the installation of the electrical system. That death had little to do with where the electrical enclosure was located.
Even then, he should have been protected and would be today.

It seems the OP is thinking about his grounding. I for sure hope he is and I would take it one step further.
I would hire a licensed, insured electrician that does pools regularly.
As you have pointed out. This can be a installation that can cause death or great bodily injury.
I am an electrician and most likely hire someone that is for one, up on all codes pertaining to pools and similar equipment.
Also I am not as physically fit anymore for this type of work.

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You are correct, it was an electrical problem. If the device was not in the yard with the pool it wouldn’t have happened. Problems happen and people die, that is the way it is. It is best to minimize the chances.

Old Thomas said:

You are correct, it was an electrical problem. If the device was not in the yard with the pool it wouldn’t have happened. Problems happen and people die, that is the way it is. It is best to minimize the chances.

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So are we to make receptacles and switches off limits in bathrooms? Bath fans? Lights? No more pool lights? Receptacles near pool?
Its terrible someone got killed. It really is. But to blame something we use and rely on everyday is ridiculous.
The blame is on the one who installed this device or someone who may have come along later and disturbed the installation.

Pool pump equipment in many instances are close to the pool. Yet we make those installs safe for people. We have electricity on boat docks and on boats. Are we to think all these comforts and uses are to be discontinued?
No. Making them safe is how its done.

The NEC code is to protect from fire, injury and death. The code has some of the most strict rules for pools and spa's.
In fact there is a complete article in the NEC. Article 680 is dedicated to this very installation.
This is why I suggested to the OP to get someone licensed, insured and is familiar with art 680 and all of its requirements.