ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Hot Tub Disconnect

If a hot tub is installed on a screened porch of a dwelling and fed with a 50 amp GFCI protected circuit, is a disconnect required near the hot tub?

The 50 amp GFCI breaker isn't within sight of the tub.

shortcircuit

Yes disco is needed. 680.12

Thanx Electricmanscott...wish they would put that requirement in part 4 also to clear up the confusion that I get from the emergency shutoff rule(680.41)

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The emergency disconnect is not required at single family dwellings.

Jim, you're correct that the emergency disco is not required for single family dwellings however the SERVICE disconnect is still required to be within sight just like any other piece of equipment.

What if there is circuit breakers or switches under the skirt that will disconnect the motor. Do they count?

Yes, the disconnect(s) under the skirt of the spa or hot tub qualify as the required disconnect(s). They/it certainly would be within sight of the equipment served. Some have said that an additional disconnect is needed within sight of the spa or hot tub. The '02 code seems to make it a lot clearer to me by saying "within sight of it's equipment" 680.12 and not "within sight from all pools, spas, and hot tub equipment and shall be located 5' from the inside of the pool, spa, or hot tub" as it did in the '99

George, I think that the disconnect required by 680.12 should be seperate from the tub altogether.What if the hot tub is defective and they want to remove it and replace it with a new one?

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680.12 says the disconnecting means shall be
accessible & within sight from its equipment

look at the definition of accessible, I do
not think the disconnect under the spa meets
that requirement.

Wait a minute here- Are we trying to say that the disconnect under the skirt of a spa is not "accessible and within sight of it's equipment" 680.12? I would think that if I'm working on the equipment associated with the disconnect, that I would have the spa/hot tub opened up and this would provides accessibility and within sight. The relationship is between the disconnect and the equipment. You want to install an additional disconnect within sight of the spa/hot tub? Go for it. I'd like to bid against you.