ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Spa/pool ckt

In a residential home, is it legal to tap into the pool light 15a ckt and run to a indoor spa requireing 15 amps also. The customer says she won't run them at the same time.

Assuming 680.23 is satisfied I can't think of a reason why it's not OK.

What size bulbs are they using? Even two 600w would work but spa lights are usually more like 100 or maybe 300. My 15,000 gallon pool lights up fine with two 300s. In fact I have them on dimmers because sometimes it is too much.

The pool is probably a 400 watt. The indoor bath tub spa is using a 1.5 HP motor. At 750 watts per HP its a bit close on a 15 amp circuit. They would probably have to run them separate, which is ok, if its code.

Please explain how you will conform with the criteria in bold above and tap in a receptacle for the spa.

Why don’t you run another circuit for the indoor tub motor?

Along with Mike's (jw) comments about complying with 680.23(F)(2) a 1.5hp motor can not be connected to a 15 amp 120 volt circuit. You need to look at table 430.248 which shows the full load current for a 1.5 hp motor at 20 amps.

Curt

Ya, I always run 20 amp ckts with GFI for indoor bath tub spas. The customer said the company said it could be a 15 amp. But I believe he is wrong. I'll ck the code book.

I may have misunderstood the question. I thought you meant the spa light. Sorry

I can't imagine much of a spa skid pack that will even run on a dedicated 15a 120v.

.

[This message has been edited by gfretwell (edited 09-27-2005).]

jw electric,
Your talking about a light fixture. This is going to a spa motor. Just a 20 amp circuit with a GFI mounted below the tub with access, is legal. My question is can I tap a 15 amp pool light circuit (if the motor calls for it, which I don't think it does, even though the spa company said it would) sharing the same circuit as the pool light if they were not going to be used at the same time. The pool light circuit has a switch controlling a GFI recept (Standard) than out to the light. I would tie into the line in at the switch and run underground to the spa, a short distance. The panel is on the other side of the house, making it really difficult the run the circuit.
Conclusion though is to run a new 20 amp GFI circuit from the panel and just charge for a much bigger job.

In order to add the tub to the circuit that supplies the light in the pool would require a joint in the equipment ground conductor supplying the pool light which would be in violation of the following section of 680. 23 (F)(2):


I was trying to point out that even if the pool light was supplied by a 20 amp circuit this installation would not be allowed.