[BigJim]

Can the conduit to a hot tub hookup be used legally for a ground in a 4 wire set up where there is just two lines and a common?

Also, the instructions for the heater and pump call for a 40-50 amp GFCI breaker. There is a three wire 30 amp GFCI breaker already there. The heater pulls 22 amps and the pump pulls 9 amps, shouldn't the 30 amp be big enough and if not the worse that can happen is the breaker will kick, right?

 

[Syberia]

Hot tubs and pools have a lot of special requirements, including having their own insulated ground regardless of raceway.

22 + 9 is already over 30 amps. The directions call for a 40 or 50 amp breaker for a reason.

 

[Jim Port]

The code requires that the instructions be followed. If they call for a 40 or 50 amp gfi protected circuit that is what must be installed.

 

[Oso954]

Here are the requirements for pools, spas, hot tubs.
http://www.mikeholt.com/download.php?file=PDF/Swimming_Pools_and_Spas_2014NEC.pdf

Just a little light reading.

 

[BigJim]

Here are the requirements for pools, spas, hot tubs.
http://www.mikeholt.com/download.php?file=PDF/Swimming_Pools_and_Spas_2014NEC.pdf

Just a little light reading.

I can't get it to download, Thanks anyway.

I was thinking the same thing about the size breaker but the electrician said it should be fine. I suggested he pull new wire and install the 40 or either a 50 amp breaker but he said it should be ok on the 30 amp one. The 30 amp has #10 wire and is about 20 feet away from the main power source.

I could be wrong about the pump motor, it may be a 7 amp instead of a 9 amp, would that make a difference?

 

[Oso954]

I tried the link and it works for me. It is a large file and takes a bit of time to down load, especially if you are on a weaker wifi signal or otherwise slower download speed.
You could try googling " Mike Holt NEC 2014 hot tub" it should pop up as the first hit. It is a PDF, I assume you have a PDF Reader.

Sounds like your "electrician" isn't the right one for your hot tub connection.

No difference on the breaker, if the mfg says 40 or 50, that's what you do. Even if a 30 amp worked for you, it is still a technical code violation.

 

[MrElectricianTV]

I can't get it to download, Thanks anyway.

I was thinking the same thing about the size breaker but the electrician said it should be fine. I suggested he pull new wire and install the 40 or either a 50 amp breaker but he said it should be ok on the 30 amp one. The 30 amp has #10 wire and is about 20 feet away from the main power source.

I could be wrong about the pump motor, it may be a 7 amp instead of a 9 amp, would that make a difference?

Did your electrician apply for a permit for this installation? If not I suggest that one of you do, and have the work inspected.

 

[ront02769]

Think about it this way. Water, live people in same, electricity, all in your house or on your deck. So hot tub mfgr's. says you must use a certain size breaker....but what the heck, you find some guy who says nah, no worries, smaller is easier.....so you get an oops down the road and melt some wires, start your house on fire, whatever. Genius. Ron

 

[BigJim]

Thanks for the advice fellows, I will let the inspector handle the fellow, that is the easiest way. I know you guys know for sure all the rules, I just wasn't too comfortable using the conduit for a ground. While I know it would work, I didn't know if it was legal or not. The size of the breaker is another story.

A quick question for my own curiosity, if the breaker is a lot higher amp than the load and there is a malfunction say on a 50 amp breaker which should be #8 wire and the wire plugged into the line to the breaker is rated at say 25 amps, will the smaller wire melt before it kicks the breaker?

 

[Jim Port]

A too small conductor for the breaker can overheat before the breaker will trip.

 

[BigJim]

A too small conductor for the breaker can overheat before the breaker will trip.

Thanks Jim, that is what I was looking for.