Small cord and plug connected units do exist. I had one at my last house. 10' so cord with a gfi in a bell box in line and a 15A plug. with such low power, it needed to be connected all the time. For the bigger unit, I'm sure some building or fire code would not buy stringing such a cord through a door or window.
We have a room in our addition built specifically for a spa. The room has tile floors. I ran THWN in liquidtight flex from the spa to a box in the wall. In the box, the THWN is wire-nutted to 6/4 NM. The circuit itself is protected by a 50 amp GFCI, 2-pole breaker.
I ran that because I couldn't use a cord and plug connection. Otherwise, I would've just used a marine-grade, weatherproof 50 amp cord and plug set.
There is a dealer in my area selling package units for indoor/outdoor use that come factory wired with a cord, 120 volts , 20 amp circuit required. The unit is convertible to 240 & the instructions call for hard wiring, no cord at this voltage.
These units are sold this way so the happy owner can take it home & plug it in & enjoy. The joy ends when the weather turns cold & the heater won't keep up (it is a 240 volt heater being run on 120 volts).
Tom
Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Wow this is all very confusing, I am glad I do not have to wire these I would be lost.
This further confuses me.
Quote
factory wired with a cord, 120 volts , 20 amp circuit required. The unit is convertible to 240 & the instructions call for hard wiring, no cord at this voltage.
I am missing the logic here, 120 or 240 still 120 volt to ground.
Why is one treated different from the other?
Bob Badger Construction & Maintenance Electrician Massachusetts
