Aqua International Swimming Pool Design Consultants and Engineering

Whether your project is in Arizona, New York, Florida or California, the National Electric Code applies to your project.  And service disconnects are the most frequently omitted item on swimming pool projects and plan specifications.

NEC 680

Most people involved with the design or construction of swimming pools, merely focus on NEC Section 680, because it deals specifically with swimming pools and spas.  However by law, they are equally responsible for the entire contents of the NEC.

NEC 430.109(B)-(D)

The NEC requires a permanent means of disconnecting equipment for service purposes. 
The disconnect must be located on the equipment itself or within the line of sight of the equipment. 

Circuit breakers are referred to in the NEC as a branch circuit over-current protection device. 
According to the NEC 430.109(B), branch circuit over-current protection devices shall not be used as the disconnection means for motors greater than ½ horsepower. 

For motors between ½ and 2 horsepower you cannot rely on the breaker.  Per NEC 430.109(C) you need a separate means to disconnect the power.

Variable speed pumps are a perfect example why we need service disconnects - they are wired so that they constantly have live power running to them - 24/7.
They are signaled to turned on and off via a data cable and not by way of switching the power on or off.  As is, the only way to turn off the power to the pump is at the circuit breaker.   But their nameplate rating is greater than 1/2 horsepower.
Therefore, that would be in violation of NEC 430.109(C).

The solution is to install an approved means of disconnection between the circuit breaker panel and the equipment.    

Section 680 of the NEC is not the only section that applies to swimming pools....  

Time to break out the NEC code and do some reading, isn't it ?!

Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220. Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com. All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013. 
All rights reserved.

Swimming Pool Low Voltage Lighting

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Low Voltage Lighting is prohibited from being within 10 feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically from the water.  Of course, this does not apply to approved underwater low voltage lighting.

Prohibited by Building Code
 
The National Electric Code (NEC) is the building code for the entire United States.  
The (2011) NEC 411.4(B) prohibits the installation of low voltage systems within 10 feet of any pool, spa or hot tub, unless specifically permitted by NEC Section 680. 

So what IS "permitted" ?

NEC 680.22(C) defines the requirements for low voltage lighting, at any operating voltage, around indoor or outdoor swimming pools.

The only discussion about low voltage lighting around swimming pools is addressed in NEC 680.23(A)(2).  It only discusses the underwater light fixtures.  

Because these section do not specifically permit the installation of low voltage lighting fixtures adjacent to a swimming pool (as required by NEC 411), it is still prohibited.

Until the NEC is updated or changed, low voltage lighting fixtures are prohibited from being installed within 10 feet horizontally and 12 feet vertically from the water.

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Section 680.23(C) could be changed for the 2014 NEC to permit a special isolation transformer with a ground shield, similar to the underwater luminaire transformer, for aboveground low-voltage lighting systems in proximity to the edge of a swimming pool. Until the change is submitted and processed, low-voltage lighting must not be located closer than 10 feet horizontally from the edge of the pool or 12 feet above the pool. - See more at: http://www.ecmag.com/section/codes-standards/waters-fine#sthash.cDzLMcen.dpuf

Contact the author, Paolo Benedetti of Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa at: info@aquatictechnology.com or 408-776-8220. Visit his website at: www.aquatictechnology.com. All Contents © Aquatic Technology Pool & Spa, 2013. All rights reserved.