ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Pools

Again, I blame things like his on the short code cycle. There is so much to digest between the release of the ROP and the end of the comment period we don't get a chance to read and challenge dumb things like the CMP 17 wrote in 17-111.
Perhaps if the original submitter had just suggested adding the text "other than 120v 15 or 20a" after "Receptacles" in the beginning of 608.22(A)(1) it might have worked.

Greg,

You talk about the short code cycle. Here in NJ most of my inspections were done under the '05 NEC and we have a "Rehab" code for older buildings, and the last date to use the'05 was in Oct. of '09. So now we are dealing strictly with the '08 NEC and yet the 2011 code is just being written up. So we are now finding the flaws in the '08 but we can't do anything about it till the next code starts up again.

OK, here is another question I was asked by a EC. The pool filter motors now have to be GFI protected if they are 120 or 240 if they are cord connected or hard wired. Correct so far? ( as per 680.22 (B))

What about a "Polaris" or a pool robot that cleans the pool? It has a motor on it. Does it need GFI protection?
What about an air pump for the spa section of an in-ground pool? How about a pump that runs a fountain or a water fall.

Harold:
My take on the items you mentioned above (all pool related) is GFI.

As to Article 680 specifics, I'll get back.

The Polaris works on 28VDC. I am not sure what protection is internal to that power supply but the instructions say it must be plugged into a GFCI receptacle and kept 5' from the pool.
As for the spa air blower, 680.44 does not parse the language for each part. It just says "the outlet(s) that supplies...<a spa>..." so the GFCI is at the source.

680.51(A) requires GFCI on fountains.

They pretty much have these things covered.

Greg:
Thanks for the Articles!

The Polaris unit that I see (and probably Harold) is another 240 volt pump that is adjacent to the filter pump. They are usually wired so the 'Polaris' only runs with the filter being 'on'. I don't recall a 28VDC unit around here.

I have seen those too but if this is a line voltage pump it has to be GFCI.
680.22(B) just says "pumps" with no other qualifications.

My Hayward Navigator (cleaner) runs of the regular suction line. It does a good job but it is a maintenance hog. You are replacing $$$ parts every year. It is running 6 hours a day tho.

Greg,

John is right, the "Polaris" that I see is 120/240 volt motor that works in conjunction with the pool filter. Most times they are both hard wired to a control panel with timers to turn them both on and off.