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Posted By: chuck pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:11 AM
above ground pools that are considered permantly installed due to water depth per 680. They are required to be bonded if I am correct. If so how do u accomplish 6this, since tere are no bonding lugs on these pools and many of the parts are simply snapped together. If u attach bonding lugs, how do u accomplish this when sheet metal screw are not allowed for bonding and grounding connections.....Thanx
Posted By: WebSparky Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:21 AM
Welcome Chuck,

Could you please be more specific as to what needs to be grounded?

If you are refering to the actual structure of the pool, there is no such requirement that I can find in the 2002 NEC.

Thanks,
Dave
Posted By: WebSparky Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:27 AM
OH, I think I just found it!
680.26(B)(1)

The only time I have thought of this part of the code is for the hand rails and such of an in-ground pool! I'm not so sure it applies to a above ground pool.

Ummmm........maybe some ahj reads it differently?

Dave
Posted By: Elzappr Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:35 AM
I suppose it all depends on if there is anything electrical going into the pool. It sounds like you are dealing with metal sections that are enamel coated, with interlocking sections. Sounds like you would have to separately bond each section to the common bond wire. But, I think there might be a way out.

680.26(B)4 talks about circulating pumps that are double insulated...not requiring to be bonded. If the non-bond circulating pump is the only electrical thing in the pool, then why bother bonding anything else? Remember, the need for bonding is to eliminate voltage gradients, per 680.26(A). There can't BE voltage gradients if there is no voltage at all.

Have you checked with the AHJ?
Posted By: harold endean Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:50 AM
Hi Chuck,

Welcome to the board. Are you talking about the new styles of above ground pools that are plastic or PVC clad? Some of these new pools might not need to be bonded if there is no metal. There are some new PVC inground pools too. The only thing that can be bonded on them is the metal coping that holds the liner into the pool. Is this what you mean?
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 02:54 AM
Voltage Gradients can exist because of other Electrical systems in the area too. If you look in 680.26(B)(1) and (3) it specifies that all Metallic Structural Components and parts over a certain dimension shall be bonded together, it says nothing about Electrical items that must exist. So, if the Pool frame is metal, it must be Bonded.

There is an Article somewhere about a Community Pool where people were getting shocks. The source turned out to be an Electrical fault some Blocks away if memory serves me. The problem was with the construction of the pool and the fact that they used coated Rebar. The reasoning was that it would hold up better underground, but because it was coated it did not provide an adequate Bonding Grid. If I can find the Article I will post it here.

Bill


[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 02-27-2003).]
Posted By: chuck Re: pool bonding - 02/28/03 03:04 AM
Well guys I am the ahj.680 states that a pool that will hold more than 42 inches of water is a permanent poola nd must e bonded accordinly. Also the pump requirements are different for a permanent pool. most all above ground pools have both metal and vinyl or painted parts. DO u differntiat from storable and premanent by water depth.some have wlls that are painted metal. some are vinyl coated. question remains ...do u call all above ground pools storable and wire accordinly or do u differentiate.
Posted By: mvrandazzo Re: pool bonding - 03/04/03 12:09 AM
In my area we bond all the way around the outside of an above ground pool. Most of the above ground pools I've seen have a metal rail that is secured around the top. We use copper lugs attached at the base of the pool where a bracket secures the metal uprights. Usually every other upright gets a lug. The screws are usually stainless. If no screw is available I always keep my 10-32 tap handy and some stainless machine screws. The wire is also bonded to the pump motor, outlet box serving the pump motor and anything metal within 5' from the inside wall of the pool. Including fences, metal siding, gutters and downspouts. Usually blow out 100 feet of solid 8 awg and 8 - 10 lugs for every pool I do. No ground rod, of course.
Blessings!
Posted By: Electricmanscott Re: pool bonding - 03/04/03 02:06 AM
That last post saved me alot of typing!
Posted By: harold endean Re: pool bonding - 03/05/03 01:29 AM
Chuck,

To me a storable pool is any pool that gets filled up and empty every year. If the pool stays up year after year, I would not consider it "storable". As for bonding, if all of the uprights are plastic or PVC, and the handrails, ladders, etc. is plastic. Then nothing has to be bonded. If there is any metal on the pool, or within 5' of this pool, then it must be bonded together with the pool motor.
Posted By: harold endean Re: pool bonding - 03/05/03 01:33 AM
Bill,

Here in NJ the state makes me do a visual inspection every year that a community pool opens up. It is a non effasive type of an inspection. I look for loose wires, connections, new equip., no loose bonded equip., and test GFCI's. If something doesn't look good, then I can require another "Bonding" inspection. This bonding inspection happens to all public pools in NJ. The get tested every 5 years. A contractor would come in to this pool, and test resistence between all points. He has to be satisfied that it is below a safe potential. The makers of pool and pool equipment also make the meters that are used for this test. If you want info about the test, let me know.

Harold
Posted By: chuck Re: pool bonding - 03/05/03 11:35 AM
Thqanks Harold, This info would be a help as we are getting prepared to do community pool testing for our county. A maajor controversy in our area stems from the fact that almost all the above ground irregardless of size are not bolted welded or screwd . Many parts snap fit together and since the code says NO bonding or grounding with sheet meat screws it is nearly impossible to do.
Posted By: harold endean Re: pool bonding - 03/06/03 02:46 AM
Chuck,

Check your e-mail. Harold
Posted By: SJT Re: pool bonding - 03/07/03 08:04 PM
I like that method of the 10/32 tap and the stainless steel screws. That would satisfy the code. I know I'm guilty of using the #10 sheet metal screws into every other upright.
We have to keep the solid #8 on hand for the summer months. Also I would scotch-cote every bonding, lug connection.
Posted By: coachman Re: pool bonding - 03/11/03 12:39 PM
Harold

I would appreciate a copy of your pool testing information.

TIA

Coachman
Posted By: JerryF Re: pool bonding - 03/11/03 10:00 PM
Harold
I would appreciate information on pool testing.

Thanks
Posted By: harold endean Re: pool bonding - 03/13/03 03:28 AM
Coachman and JerryF,

If you E-mail me with a fax number, I will send you the info that you are looking for. My state is requiring that any public pool get a bonding and grounding certificate every 5 years, and I do ( as the AHJ ) a non-invasive inspection every year.
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