[philm63]

Just starting my search into replacing my soaking tub in the master bath with a jetted version and part of the decision making process is feasibility. The bathroom is upstairs and the electrical panel is on the basement level two floors down so running a new line would be costly, perhaps a bit too costly for my liking and might kill the project.

There are two receptacles on the wall behind the double vanity, one is a GFCI. These receptacles are seldom used but for charging shavers and toothbrushes. There appears to be a single 20 A breaker providing power to these receptacles and nothing else. If I run a few tests and confirm there is nothing else on this circuit, could I tap into it for a jetted tub in that bathroom, so long, of course, as I do the power calculations and size the tub circuit appropriately?

Is this allowed? Location: Plain City, OH.

 

[Jim Port]

The tub is going to call for a dedicated circuit in the installation instructions.

 

[AllanJ]

Something that might draw more than half the capacity (as amperes or watts) of a branch circuit may not be hard wired into such a circuit that also serves other things.

Meanwhile the bathroom must be/remain equipped with a receptacle on a branch circuit that serves only that bathroom or that serves only receptacles in one or more bathrooms. Namely, you may not commandeer "the bathroom circuit" for your hot tub.

 

[philm63]

Thanks for the answers - looks like I'll be pulling a new line for this if I choose to proceed.

 

[Wiredindallas]

You deside on the interpretation of the code saying that a circuit must feed only receptacles in that room. If the tub is plug-in to a receptacle,..........
You will hopefully not use the tub at the same time you are using a hair dryer, thus not overloading the circuit.

 

[huesmann]

Is there such a thing as a plug-in tub?

 

[Wiredindallas]

Put a pigtail on the motor/power supply.

 

[huesmann]

I thought such things were verboten. Also, where would you run the cord?

 

[joe-nwt]

The last jet tub I was involved with was plug-in.

That being said, replacing a tub is not necessarily a plug and play endeavour plumbing wise either. At some point you will have to expose the plumbing wall. Once you are at that point it may not be as hard as you think to fish a new circuit following the plumbing to the basement.

 

[Jim Port]

Following the plumbing often allows a path for new cables. Depending on the age of the house you may be able to fish without disturbing much finish.

 

[Wiredindallas]

I thought such things were verboten. Also, where would you run the cord?

I usually see a receptacle located within the motor area under the tub. An access door or removable tub enclosure section is required.
This is what I saw on a jacuzzi instalation manual download.

 

[jhil]

Most that I have done were plug in. Have to place receptacle behind tub surround access panel and fed from GFCI receptacle or breaker. In addition to instructions calling for dedicated circuit, it may also state 15 or 20 amp. It can matter because of the warranty

 

[seharper]

You can power it from the bathroom receptacle circuit if:

- The circuit powers absolutely nothing except things in this bathroom.

- All the hardwired loads added together, including this tub, are less than 10 amps (half circuit ampacity).

- the tub is somehow GFCI protected, e.g. by competently using the "LOAD" terminals of a GFCI already present in the bathroom.

Note that not everything on the circuit needs GFCI protection, e.g. preferably not the lights, however, anything in the tub compartment/over the tub needs GFCI protection.