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

Is there a requirement to have an aditional grounding rod installed (driven) near a spa (hot tub) disconnect?

This is one of those above ground, sitting on a concrete pad, plug in type of hot tubs.

No.

I don't think the term "grounding electrode" even appears in Art.680.

I can't for the life of me figure why folks continually think one is required for a spa or pool.

Just goes to show how confusing 680 can be.

I don't know if 680 is overly confusing. I think grounding and bonding in general is though. And sometimes we overthink things to the point where we start to question what is actually required or not. Whatever the case I don't know how people come up with the idea of a ground rod at a pool or spa.

Thank you all for your response. I didn't "think" we would need an additional grounding rod, but wanted to ask you experts to be sure.

Thanks
Steve

Is that spa {on} a detached structure? If so, what is powering it, a single branch circuit or a feeder? If this is a feeder to a detached structure, I can see how you could be required to establish a grounding electrode system.

I am not saying that it is required but sometimes the manufactures put it in their instructions. They will type in a sentence which might read like, "Additional ground rod might be needed. check with your local electrical code." Then some HO might install the rod thinking that they need it.

Harold:
I can't resist....
AG pool, HO permit....two (2) rods, 6'6" apart, with #4 bare stranded, "butched" into the motor lug and the 'bond lugs' all around the pool (every upright), and then....back to the house, thru the basement, pipe clamps at the water main; meter jumped again, and into the panel.

Another HO "special" (as-built).....the jacuzzi wired with a 14 ga. orange extension cord; caps cut; twisted & taped splices......and a #8 solid bond to the PVC water pipes!! He had the gall to 'blame' the 'orange apron' guy for selling him the 'wrong' wire.

John

John,

Yeah, I have seen that too. I was inspecting an above ground pool and the lady was showing me a trench about 100 feet long and she had about 50 of it covered up. I looked in the bottom of the trench (which was at the proper depth) but only to see that white pipe with the "Rated for 40 PSI" on it. She had used water pipe for the run. When I told her that she would have to dig it up and bury the right pipe, she was a little mad. When I opened my big mouth and said that an "Electrician" would have know the difference between water pipe and electrical conduit, then she got even madder at me. She looked at me and said, "My husband is an electrician!" I replied back, "Oops! Sorry, but it is still wrong and it has to be changed. Call it back into the office when it is done." I guess the Big Orange box gave him a good price on it.