Make sure your Jacuzzi wiring is done correctly. Learn the importance of code compliance, GFCI safety, and professional installation for a worry-free hot tub experience.
Hot tubs may be a fun, relaxing and even therapeutic addition to any home, however, they involve water and electricity – 2 things that aren’t great friends at the best of times. Given the amount of water involved, installing a hot tub requires complex electrical work that pays particular attention to safety and compliance. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key issues and help you gain a proper understanding of the process.
Electrical codes and safety
To say that adhering to electrical codes is important when it comes to hot tubs is probably an understatement. In Canada, the CEC (Canadian Electrical Code) must be followed at all times, with these codes designed to ensure safety and avoid hazards like electrical shocks, fires, and equipment failures.
When it comes to avoiding hazards, a central component in your hot tub is the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which prevents electrical shocks. A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that shuts off electric power when a ground fault occurs, doing so within as little as 1/40 of a second. It works by comparing the amount of current going to and returning from equipment along the circuit conductors. If the current differs by approximately 5 milliamperes, the GFCI interrupts the current flow, averting all kinds of nasty outcomes.
Ampacity and power requirements
Hot tubs require a serious amount of power which means they need to be set up in a specific way. Converting a regular receptacle to a hot tub GFCI receptacle involves using larger cables and breakers. Additionally, the main electrical panel must have available slots for the new installation, and a route from the panel to the outdoor spa pack.
Needless to say, it's vital that the cables and connectors used match the hot tub’s specifications. Some hot tubs have high-temperature ratings (e.g., 105°C), and using cables that can withstand these temperatures is key to passing inspections and maintaining warranties. Commonly used cables, like Tech 90 for instance, may not be sufficient for these high-temperature requirements, and can lead to overheating, insulation breakdown, and electrical fires.
What’s more, you need to be sure that your home’s electrical system can handle the increased load of a hot tub. Overloading an electrical system can cause frequent breaker trips and potential damage to both the hot tub and your home's electrical infrastructure.
Upgrading your electrical service
Homes with existing high electrical load devices such as air conditioners, hot water systems, and in-floor heating, may need an electrical service upgrade to accommodate a hot tub. Upgrading to a 150 or 200-amp service should provide the necessary capacity.
For homes with overhead electrical services, this upgrade involves installing new cables, panels, and breakers. Upgrading underground services, however, is a more complex process. It involves bringing a larger cable from the transformer to your home, which may require a new transformer and splicing at the property line – a process that usually requires coordination with your local utility company.
Load management solutions
To manage high electrical loads, load balancers or disconnects should be used. These devices make sure that primary essential loads, such as air conditioners, don’t run simultaneously with the secondary load of the hot tub.
Load management solutions are particularly useful in homes where upgrading the electrical service is not feasible or practical. Prioritising essential loads, these solutions help maintain balance in your electrical system, stopping the hot tub from causing undue strain on your home's infrastructure.
Inspections and permits
To make sure all work meets the required standards, a common inspection approach involves two phases – the initial setup and the final hot tub connection. Using the correct connectors and maintaining proper distances between the hot tub and the spa pack will be central to meeting code requirements.
With unsafe substitutions and improper distances leading to failed inspections and potential safety hazards, these areas require particular attention to detail.
The big question: Professional vs. DIY installation
No matter how talented a DIY enthusiast you may be, given the complexity of the installation process and the potential hazards involved, professional installation by a hot tub electrician is highly recommended.
It’s not just the risk of shocks and electrical fires that you need to worry about either – it can ultimately be more expensive to install a hot tub yourself. With DIY attempts often resulting in non-compliance with electrical codes, this can lead to failed inspections and additional costs for corrections.
Relax in your hot tub with Precision Power Services
We don’t mean that literally – we’re not about to jump in there with you – but we will make sure your hot tub experience is the safe, compliant, and relaxing one it should be.
Since 2016, Precision Power has been keeping homes and businesses safe from all manner of electrical issues. Our highly skilled electrical contractors will make sure your hot tub is a continually pleasurable experience as opposed to a potentially dangerous one, delivering the experience, expertise and peace of mind you want.
If you’re looking for an electrician in Edmonton AB, Precision Power delivers the services you need at highly competitive rates. To find out more about Precision Power and our hot tub electrical installation services, you can contact us here.
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