Q: I want a hot tub, what are the electrical considerations?
There are few things more relaxing than a nice soak in a hot tub after a long day and hot tubs are high on the list of home luxuries added after a home is built. While it is obvious that installing a hot tub will require both power and water, hot tubs often present a few additional steps that can often take homeowners unaware or result in additional time or cost constraints.
Electrical Needs:
Electrical needs for your new hot tub are fairly straightforward. Most hot tubs require a minimum 50amp dedicated breaker that is of course GFCI protected. Additionally because of the potential water exposure this circuit must use copper wire for better corrosion protection and commercial grade cable with an insulated ground. Existing panels may need to be upgraded to accommodate this size breaker.
Bonding:
Bonding is an electrical term for connecting all of the systems surrounding the hot tub to each other to distribute any “wild” or leaking electrical current evenly between systems. This is a safety measure to prevent the possibility for accidental shock if a person is in contact with one or more of the un-bonded elements and therefore becomes a potential conductor for this “leaking” current. While this is generally not hard to achieve, it requires a comprehensive look at the entire system to be sure all metal elements are protected such as railings, fences, windows, doors and even gutters.
If you are considering a pre-owned hot tub, be aware that most hot tubs older than 2010 require an additional bonding ring. Newer tubs generally come as a listed self-contained spa.
Trenching:
Depending on the location of the hot tub, installation may require trenching to install any electrical connections or run water to the location. Homeowners will need to contact 811 to be sure any buried cables can be marked and avoided. The electrical wiring must be a minimum of 18” underground so can interfere with low buried things like cable or phone lines. Additionally, hot tubs require sturdier wire and fittings for underground lines, to incorporate bonding and other requirements.
Permitting:
All hot tub installations are required to have an electrical permit. Additionally because they have some many related systems many local municipalities require a building permit as well to examine location suitability on decks or yard/patio installations. These permits add several additional steps to allow for inspections and can impact the timing and coordination of the various steps.
Safety Concerns and Access Requirements:
Similar to the requirements that a swimming pool must be fenced, hot tubs are required to either be fenced in or to have a lockable cover. This prevents unsupervised access to the hot tub and reduces accidental drowning risks.
Make a Plan Early:
While adding a hot tub may have a few more factors to it beyond just power and a water supply but don’t let that overwhelm you. These additional considerations can feel strict but they are all safety related. It’s worth getting an estimate early in the game to determine which of these factors may apply to your hot tub plans. Thankfully none of this will affect any clothing optional adult beverage consumption or other plans you might have for your new hot tub!
Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.