Pool Pump Electrical Safety

Grounding, Bonding, & GFCI's

You've heard the saying "Electricity and Water Don't Mix"

Well it is no place more true than when it comes to pool equipment

Although the odds of injury or death from pool electrical failure are very small, some say you have better odds winning the lottery, this is one lottery you don't want to win.

This article contains information pertaining to ingound pools with permanently installed pumps
and equipment.

Water and electricity should never mix in a swimming pool environment. However most
modern pools have multiple electrical devices such as, the pool pump, the pool light, a salt
chlorine generator, a heat pump or gas heater. Since all of these devices carry electrical
current, and are in contact with the pool water, there is the potential for electricity to enter
the pool water. This should never happen unless there is a fault in the insulation systems
of the electrical devices and a simultaneous failure of the pool grounding system.

There are (3) elements to swimming pool electrical safety. They are specified in article 680
and others in the National Electrical Code.

(1) Grounding - This is the primary method of protection. It is simply a ground wire that goes
from the pump or other device back to the electrical panel. In the event of a device fault, the
electrical current will flow back to the source along this wire causing the circuit breaker to
trip, thereby cutting off the power. This is usually a green wire that is in the same conduit as
the electrical supply wires. It is very important to inspect the ground wires and look for evidence of corrosion and replace if necessary. The ground wire is often overlooked and sometimes ignored because the equipment will operate normally without it being connected, however, in terms of safety, the grounding wire is the most important. The grounding wire should be tested anytime work is being done on the pump system. The way to test the ground
wire is to connect a #12 wire to the electric meter grounding wire going to the ground rod (meter can) and bring the other end at the location where the pump is, then disconnect the ground wire at the pump motor, connect an analog low ohms meter such as the Simpson 362
between the pump motor ground and the wire coming from the meter, the resultant reading should be 1 ohm or less. If it is higher, or infinite, check for corroded or damaged connections.
You can also use the same setup to check the case of the light transformer and light bezel.
AT CORAL SPRINGS PUMP OUR FIELD SERVICE TECHS TEST THE GROUND ON
EVERY PUMP MOTOR WE INSTALL

(2) Bonding - This is an additional layer of protection also called "equipotental bonding grid"
This system attaches all the metal parts of the pool , the shell of a concrete pool, the pool water, and the decking on a 3' perimeter around the pool to a common grid that also connects to the bonding lug on the pump, light,heater, chlorinator and any other devices. The bonding wire is the large wire connected to the outside of the pump shell. It can be green insulated or may be bare copper it is usually #8 solid in the US Testing the bonding system is more difficult as most of it is hidden below the concrete of the pool and patio deck. Usually simple testing involves checking continuity between all bonded items. More sophisticated testing involves applying a voltage and measuring voltage gradients throughout the pool and deck

(3) GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter - This is a additional method of protection which became mandatory per the code on new construction starting in 2006 or later depending
on jurisdiction. This is also a recommended upgrade on any pool pump or light regardless
of date of construction. UPDATE Jan 1, 2024 The state of Florida has adopted the 8th edition of the Florida Building Code which includes the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code. Section 680.21(D) states "Where a pool pump motor is replaced for maintenance or repair, the replacement pump motor shall be provided with ground fault circuit interrupter protection"
WHAT THIS MEANS IS ANYTIME A POOL MOTOR IS REPLACED THE INSTALLER MUST VERIFY THAT A GFCI EXISTS OR IF NOT, THEY MUST INSTALL ONE IF QUALIFED TO DO SO, OR HAVE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL INSTALL ONE

WHAT IS A GFCI?

This is a safety device installed on the pool pump & pool light which measures current going in and out of the device and if any leaks to ground (Indicating an Equipment Failure) It will immediately shut off the electricity. This is required by code on all new construction and as of Jan. 1, 2024 it is required to be installed with replacement motors, We recommend all pool owners install these for additional safety. Contact a local qualified electrician who can arrange to install this state of the art lifesaving device.

It is also prudent to have qualified personnel inspect the pool bonding system and all equipment grounds for integrity as they deteriorate over time especially in the corrosive climate around pool water. It is important to remember that equipment will operate normally even with defective grounding.
Grounding and GFCI's are like insurance, it is something you hope you never have to rely on, but if you need it due to an equipment fault you will be glad that it is installed and working.

The impetus for these code changes was the tragic deaths of Rachel Rosoff, Calder Sloan, Ashton Jojo, and recently 10-22-23 Nate Davenport Jupiter Florida.. Experts agree that a GFCI
can save lives. Google these names for more info