ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Disconnect for Spa

George,
All codes aside... We're talking about a large tub of water, often installed outdoors. Although GFI fed, you would still have live conductors under the rim of what is technicaly a pool. In an area that could be very wet. Maintained by a pool guy, who may or may not have access to the disco for the feeder, and has a job to do. I would preffer, due to conciance(MS), to even provide wider than work-space requirements for the access to the shut off so he can work. Even though it is doubtfull I would ever meet this person.

Also, I have not seen one with a switch of any kind under the skirt in about 5 years. (May be due to dominant brand in this area)Many barely have room for a flex to the relay box, never-mind a 60A disco, and thatIMO is what you want to shut off. Most of these have 3 modes, jets on, clean, and stand-by/auto.

Here's another oblique method of thinking. All electrical wiring method not assoiated with the tub needs to be outside of 5'. (As it is considered a pool.) Is the portion of the feeder before the disco "associated" with the tub? ("Associated" in listed, factory installed way.)

e57- All codes aside- I'd agree with you and on my own spa (if I had one) I'd install a switch remote from the spa strictly so I didn't have to open the spa skirt for a disconnect. But if I was in a competitive biding situation, I'd offer it as optional. I have inspected spas with a two pole GFCI as the disconnect under the skirt.

Disco under the skirt in the '99 cycle, there would be no debate, its a violation.


1999

2002 changes the wording and organization of the article.

2002

And... (Which is something else in the '99)

I wonder what 2005 has for wording....

[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 08-27-2005).]

680.12 added "readily" to accessible. No screwed down cover.

If I may ask a related question...

How does one measure the 5' distance? What if the disconnect were under a deck surrounding a halfway-sunken tub, meaning that the bottom half of the tub is visible below the decking?

Is the distance measured in a straight line, ignoring physical barriers, or along a pathway that, say, a rope or one's arms must take from the tub's rim, around the deck's edge and/or skirt, and back under?

This is the handbook commentary,
"Panelboards, time clocks, pool light switches, and so on, where located not less than 5 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a pool without a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier, must be out of reach of persons who are in the pool, thereby preventing contact and possible shock hazards."

You could easily argue that the deck is a barrier which prevents someone in the spa from touching the switch

"You could easily argue that the deck is a barrier which prevents someone in the spa from touching the switch"

I can, and I shall. Thanx!