Simply have it inspected before your hot tub is installed and be sure you have the proper supports. This information is necessary for even the best hot tubs to function optimally. The advantage of this direct connection to the circuit breaker box is that the heat output of the wired hot tub is always higher than that of the plug and play model. Based on the size of the tub, it may be a 120-volt or 240-volt unit. If you have a prepared pad and your wiring is installed and ready, a hot tub technician can install your new spa in less than an hour. This advantage of this extra heating power ensures that the wired hot tub heats a lot faster than the plug-and-play hot tubs. Hi Scott, what about seeing you hook it up to the bracker box that are already in the house. Be nice if you showed the wiring TO THE TUB …not panel box. Place the hot tub on a cement slab in the desired location. Waterproof gland packs should be used to prevent ingress of water on all electrical connections (2 at the isolation switch). We understand your curiosity or frustration as the case may be. Check the owner's manual. Use thermoplastic nylon … Another electrical requirement for installi… Fit the necessary conduit covering different areas such as breaker panel, spa panel, and the trench. A wiring diagram is a streamlined traditional photographic depiction of an electrical circuit. Do the same for the second set of wires, attaching them to the other side of the spa pack. A Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) is a mandatory requirement from the National Electrical Code in the wiring and installation of a hot tub. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Installing a new hot tub? Hot Tub Wiring. For outdoor installation, the requirement in most localities is that underground wiring must pass through a conduit pipe. It is recommended that at a minimum you should use a12-gauge wire. This is a rather complicated step, but we have broken it up to enable you have seamless wired connections. I am in the process of adding a 50A sub-panel (GFCI) for hot tub to my main... Good day everyone. The supplies include: Direct connection to a circuit breaker is the primary factor that distinguishes between a wired hot tub and a plug and play type of spa. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. It can be a great investment for a homeowner. Always confirm from the local enforcement agency the proper wire size to use. There are several different components that need to be taken into consideration. Preparing for Delivery . suggestions. Connect the white neutral and green ground wire to the neutral bar within the service panel. In this case, you should call a qualified electrician to install the outlet. Hot tubs can also be used to entertain guests or relax in the oasis of your own home. In situations where the current supplied is not enough to support the hot tub, consult a licensed electrician to handle the installation of your hot tub. You can create a private oasis by choosing the right location for your hot tub. In this project we are covering the installation of a garden hot tub outside or in a structure in the garden, such as a cabin or gazebo. Along with your hot tub, you may want to include a gazebo, fire pit, patio table, outdoor furniture, and even an outdoor sound system for added ambiance. We have provided you with detailed information on how to wire a hot tub. Dig the Trench for Conduit Laying. Install a circuit breaker in the service panel. Indoor Hot Tubs / Spas must bond all metal within or attached to the hot tub. Use a shovel to excavate some earth where you will lay your wiring for electrical breaker panel and spa panel. We're wiring a J-355 Jacuzzi Hot Tub and the instructions said to use 6-3 wire for a 60 amp installation. Hot tubs have filtration systems and the water should be treated with special sanitising chemicals. Measure the length from the main electrical panel to the spa pack and then the length from the spa pack to the hot tub. Ideally, the panel should be a maximum of 5ft to the spa location. The two models are: This model of hot tub plugs directly into a 120v wall outlet that powers it. Get the Outdoor Hot Tub of Your Dreams. You may need to consult the local building code to know the right conduit depth and be careful not to hit the underneath utility cable while digging. Most decks can hold a hot tub, but you want to be certain. Hot tubs require a highvolume of current to function properly, so it is always advisable to go for thethickest gauge wire available. Supplies Needed to Wire a Hot Tub. For this reason, it is why it is called plug and play. A 12-gauge cable is thicker and useful whenyou have a 20-amp breaker. Beginning at the LB fitting, use fish tape to pull the wires from the fitting to the spa panel. Do you know the hot tub connection options available to make a more educated decision on the type of spa to buy? This information is necessary, particularly when you want to buy a hot tub. Does a hot tub need to be plumbed in? Transformers for low-voltage lighting must be in accessible locations. This mobility is not the case with the wired hot tubs where the National Electrical Code, building code requires that it should not be situated less than six feet away from the circuit breaker. Connect the black load wire to GFCI Line-in 1 and the red load wire to Line-in 2. I have heard many spa dealers tell homeowners that the cost will be between $85-$800. Thicker wire will be able to handle lightercurrent volumes, but a thin wire will short circuit and damage the equipment ifhigh volume current is passed through it. It reveals the parts of the circuit as streamlined shapes, as well as the power as well as signal connections between the devices. Your hot tub may run off of either 120V power or 240V power. I am replacing my main pump on my hot tub and the old pu... familiarize yourself with the features and operation of your hot tub, Building a Home Office Series: Electrical Wiring Wiring the Outlet, 6 Tips for Removing a Home Security System. The two hot legs (black + red) provide 240 volts (120V +120V). Hot tubs provide many health benefits such as improving sleep, improving cardiovascular health, helping with diabetes and weight loss, and eliminating tension and stress. I own a 110 volt 20 amp Hot Tub it has a 15 amp GFCI plug I also have dedic... My Hot Spring Hot tub display panel shows the temp for a few seconds and th... Running Electrical Under Patio for Hot Tub. The direct link to the circuit breaker box increases the rate of heating by over 300% of what is obtainable with the plug-and-play hot tubs. Getting a hot tub installed in the backyard is a much simpler process than you might imagine. Leave at least 6 inches of extra wire hanging from the spa panel. You also need to install a manual power shut-off as a fail-safe measure when the GFCI malfunctions. Once the tub is filled with water, you will need to get the main breaker turned on to the spa pack and the hot tub. There are only two ways to connect a hot tub to power. Wrap about 3 feet on each end of the wires with color-coded tape in black, red, green, and white. The requirements for swimming pools are given in Section 702 of BS 7671:2008+A3:2015. [2] X Research source Make sure the spot you choose is large enough for the hot tub as well as some extra leeway for getting in and out and performing maintenance. You will also find a brief explanation of their functions in the system. If it is 120V power, you may be able to plug the hot tub directly into an existing outdoor GFCI outlet. Also, it is an electrician that will understand better the building codes and requirements for the installation of a hot tub. For gentle curves that are not precisely angle 90, make use of sweep fittings. In terms of the wiring of a hot tub, you may notice that there are two basic ways to connect your spa to your home’s power supply. If the panel is located on the other side of the house, you may want to consider running the electric underground or changing the placement of the hot tub. All non-current carrying metal parts within 5’ of the hot tub must be bonded by a #8 copper wire (680-41-D) There are two types of hot tubs based on voltage requirements. One that operates on 120v and other that draws 240v. There are no specific requirements for electrical installations associated with hot tubs in BS 7671. I would like to install a hot tub with the heater requiring 220V. Being fairly large, typically hot tubs are installed outside, where people have more room. The installation of smaller wire sizes not only increases the likelihood of an electrical fire outbreak, but it also puts the heater elements and the pump of your hot tub at high risk of damage. Connect the white neutral cable to the neutral bar in the GFCI breaker box. Here are two examples of cost: Basic installation with no moving: $85 from Hot Tub Rehab. We advise that you consult your local enforcement agency to give you the specific codes operational in your locality before you move ahead with the installation process. Some of the best hot tubs … The cost to install your hot tub will vary depending on many factors, such as the size of your spa, the proximity of the hot tub location to your main electric panel, the location of your tub within your yard and the complexity required to run the circuit. Run the other end of this set of wires to the spa pack, attaching the wires in the same manner. It is also not allowed to situate the hot tub directly under overhead power or communication wires. Accommodate More People. These two wiring methods, consequently, defines two types of hot tubs. Troubleshooting Common Problems with Hot... Troubleshooting Common Problems with Hot Tubs. Disconnect the power source before you start any act of installation. (Do not connect any other appliances to the hot tub’s circuit.). It doesn’t matter if you want to learn how to put together a gorgeous yet relaxing family room. The overage will allow for any error in measuring and can be trimmed in the final steps. Copyright© Electricity and water are a potentially deadly combination. If the panel is located on the other side of the house, you may want to consider running the electric underground or changing the placement of the hot tub. Connect the red and black load wires to the circuit breaker. There can be no obstructions, such as fences or walls, preventing access to the spa pack. Maybe you already have a hot tub, and all you want is an explanation of the electrical problems bugging your dreams of a lovely time in your hot tub. The size of the wire to be used is determined by the maximum current draw of the hot tub, the length of the wire run and the NEC or local codes. For most exterior spas, the electrician will run a 4-wire number 6 or number 8 wire to the spa location. Troubleshooting Hot Tub Control Panel Pr... Troubleshooting Hot Tub Control Panel Problems. Remove the access panel and the access panel door. This means they require an electrical circuit providing (2) hot wires, (1) neutral, and (1) ground wire. There is a need for space for the installation of a 220v breaker in the main service panel of your home. It helps you save a lot of time consumed by the plug-and-play to warm up the water, especially if you just drained the hot tub. 680.44 GFCI protection is required for all Hot Tubs and spas. Hi, I’m Emma, Editor of Sunrise Specialty. Patience is a virtue, but it is not meant to be used waiting for hot tubs. The local code enforcement agency has varying requirements on the actual depth at which to bury particular conduit types underground. The plug-and-play hot tubs have the advantage of locational preference. Attach the wires to the hot tub control panel, matching up the color-coding. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All electrical work should comply with BS 7671. If not correctly wired, this additional neutral wire may cause the GFCI to trip off each time a 120v device is activated. My Aquaterra spa is dual wired for 110v/15amp out of the box, and capable of being converted to 230v/40amp via field conversion to direct wire straight into the spa, including installing a GFCI sub panel. Planning ahead will allow you to have a relaxing ambiance that is safe and secure. Website operating When you are done, you should have one of each color for the length between the main panel and the spa pack and also the length from the spa pack to the hot tub. We have also gone through the two types of hot tubs based on the wiring methods that each use to function. You will need to be sure that it is still in sight of your unit. Costs may vary depending on how much prep work is needed and whether your hot tub is located indoors or outdoors. The National Electrical Code requires that the GFCI shut-off box should be installed between five to six feet away from the hot tub. You should pass this extra neutral wire along with the red and black loadout wires to the control system. With this guide, you will be well-equipped to wire a hot tub without professional knowledge of electrical works. Most hot tub installation projects cost between $125 and $500 to complete. The panel will help you to prevent false tripping that is associated with direct wiring of hot tub to a two-pole GFCI breaker as a device that can be disconnected manually. Low-voltage light fixtures (luminaires) must be no closer than 5 feet away from the outside walls of pools, spas, or hot tubs. storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or fountain equipment, other than lighting, for these water bodies. It’s best to run the electrical wiring for hot tub through a conduit. Use this time to familiarize yourself with the features and operation of your hot tub. After that, pull the wire using copper wire with thermoplastic nylon. Deck: This can be a good spot to place your hot tub, since a deck is typically already level. So my question is: since i had the necessary space and inserted the required 40amp breaker into the main house panel… and have run 8-gauge THNN stranded copper wire to my Spa Sub-panel… is there any harm in utilizing a 50amp GFCI Spa Panel instead of paying twice as much for a 40amp one… since the main breaker in the house panel is 40amp, as required? Hot tub electrical installation is easy with the proper preparation. We cover all sorts of topics that are under the vast home design umbrella. Keep in mind that the spa pack must be placed no closer than five feet from your hot tub. Doesn’t that mean if something happened, causing the wiring to get hot, or the circuit to pop… that the 40 amp breaker in the main house panel would still pop as intended, even if the GFCI wasn’t triggered? … Pass the four wires through a conduit to the GFCI breaker box. A hot tub can be the ultimate luxury in your backyard. We welcome your comments and Dig a trench in which to lay the copper tubes that will carry propane from the 1000-gallon propane tank to the hot water heater. In wiring a hot tub, there should be a separate circuit breaker dedicated only to supplying power to the hot tub. Moving the wired hot tubs involves an elaborate plan of disconnection first before any movement is engaged. Our insight can guide the way for you. View our Privacy Policy here. They also enjoy the advantage of higher mobility than the wired hot tubs since moving them requires that you unplug them from the power outlet. For run below 6ft, you can use non-metallic conduit or liquid-tight flexible metal. Turn on the power supply and the newly installed hot tub circuit breaker. An outdoor hot tub is an excellent choice to have to relax all year around. Home design how to wire a hot tub outside sanitising chemicals large tub filled with water particular conduit types underground one that operates 120V! 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