Right Guage of Wire for the job

[Nikki]

Hi Guys
We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we
would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two
pumps. My guess would be 10-3
Nikki

 

[Peter Bennett]

On Sun, 05 Jun 2005 09:28:37 -0400, Nikki <rickj@sympatico.ca> wrote:

Hi Guys
We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we
would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two
pumps. My guess would be 10-3
Nikki

The wire size is determined by the current requirement, and length of
cable run from the breaker panel. #10 wire is good for 30 amps, but
you should go to #8 if the cable run is over 60 ft.

As another poster suggests, from the wording of your question, I would
recommend that you get a qualified electrician to do the electrical
work.


--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

 

[w_tom]

Devices where human sits in water require extra
considerations. For example, wire gauge for an essential
safety ground wire. If located outside, then gauge for buried
ground wire must also be considered. Some jurisdictions even
require a dedicated 6 AWG bare copper wire from tub direct to
breaker box safety ground. Also required is the GFCI.
Numbers were not provided (volts and amps) - as if all heaters
and pumps have same electrical requirements. 'No numbers'
suggests insufficient technical knowledge.

Due to dangers involved and because your wording suggests
woefully insufficient knowledge, then get a licensed
electrician. If for no other reason, the safety of our
friends. Electricity and water require numerous special
considerations.

Nikki wrote:

Hi Guys
We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we
would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two
pumps. My guess would be 10-3
Nikki

 

[Don Bowey]

On 6/5/05 6:28 AM, in article b6Doe.70$Nd3.18669@news20.bellglobal.com,
"Nikki" <rickj@sympatico.ca> wrote:

We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we
would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two
pumps. My guess would be 10-3

For a good answer, go to any hot-tub store and pose the question to them.
I've never been in a hot-tub store where they would not go out of their way
to be helpful - they want your future business.

I use a gas heater for mine, so I'm using a direct bury, 12-3 with ground
cable to get the 220V there via a 20A breaker. The code did not require a
GFCI, as the pumps, lights, and blower are all air-switch controlled.

Have fun..... Nothing is more relaxing than a long soak.

Don

 

[Matty F]

w_tom wrote:

Due to dangers involved and because your wording suggests
woefully insufficient knowledge, then get a licensed
electrician. If for no other reason, the safety of our
friends. Electricity and water require numerous special
considerations.

An amusing picture of how not to use an electric drill near water:
http://tinypic.com/5oau86
(32k jpg)

 

[Rich Grise]

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 14:18:03 +1200, Matty F wrote:

w_tom wrote:

Due to dangers involved and because your wording suggests
woefully insufficient knowledge, then get a licensed
electrician. If for no other reason, the safety of our
friends. Electricity and water require numerous special
considerations.

An amusing picture of how not to use an electric drill near water:
http://tinypic.com/5oau86
(32k jpg)

Is that really water, or a polyethylene drop cloth?

Thanks!
Rich

 

[Matty F]

Rich Grise wrote:

On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 14:18:03 +1200, Matty F wrote:


w_tom wrote:


Due to dangers involved and because your wording suggests
woefully insufficient knowledge, then get a licensed
electrician. If for no other reason, the safety of our
friends. Electricity and water require numerous special
considerations.

An amusing picture of how not to use an electric drill near water:
http://tinypic.com/5oau86
(32k jpg)


Is that really water, or a polyethylene drop cloth?

There's a drop cloth that drapes into the pool. It looks like the bottom
two rungs of the ladder are covered in water. The operator has bare feet
and is wet to his waist, probably because he had to wade to reach the
ladder. When he climbs down he will have to hold the cable connection to
stop it falling in the water. Are those bottles of booze on the side of
the pool that the workmen have been enjoying?
But he's following the instructions for the drill manual - he's wearing
safety goggles. Nowhere does it say that all the other things he's doing
are dangerous.

 

[Chris]

Nikki wrote:

Hi Guys
We just bought a used Hot Tub and was wondering what gage of wire we
would use. Its an average size (seats 6)with an electric heater and two
pumps. My guess would be 10-3
Nikki

Hi, Nikki. If you're at the skill level where you're wondering what
wire to use, I'd recommend against doing it yourself. It's easy to
create a potentially lethal situation here unless you do things right.
Look at your local building and elecrical codes for pools and/or hot
tubs -- it will tell you some of the necessary requirements. Look
particularly at the setback requirements for the disconnect box
(profoundly important), and the GFCI requirement (also profoundly
important).

If you don't want to hire an electrician, at least look around for
someone knowledgeable who can kibbitz and give you the hints you need,
as well as being able to check out your work.

Good luck
Chris