Note that all 120 volt plug and play spas that operate at 110v-120v have a 15' GFCI cord included with the spa, so an external GFCI is not needed. In the case of GFCI tripping, it is easier to troubleshoot when installed near the spa as well. Some are tempted to install the GFCI in the breaker box, but it is best to have the GFCI and shutoff near the spa and per code. This shutoff/ spa panel with GFCI is within a line of site of the hot tub, but not closer than 5 feet nor further than 10 feet away usually. The disconnect junction box with GFCI provides a safety shutoff near the spa. Other spa brands such as Hot Springs may require 2 independent lines which would then require 2 seperate GFCIs as per their own instructions. Never connect a 4-wire hot tub to 3-wire service. Not all spas operate on 4-wires, and many older spas only had 3 wire service. So the potential difference between the two power lines is 240 volts to operate the powerful 240 volt heater in the spa, but the Line 1 to neutral difference is just 120 volts to power 120v equipment such as an ozonator or even stereo system. The 4 wires are Line 1, Line 2 (usually black and red), a white neutral wire and a green ground wire. 4-wire hot tub systems exist because there may be both 120v and 230v components in the spa. The GFI will compare the outgoing power against the returning power on the other leg. Note that the test buttons on the GFCI can also function as a required shutoff. It contains a ground and a neutral since many spas have 110v components built in to them that require a neutral wire. The GFCI installed in this exterior spa panel (load center) that is used for hot tubs is of the 4 wire type. Within 10 feet of the spa, but no closer than 5 feet, a GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter and manual disconnect/shutoff will be installed depending on local code requirements. See our current collection of GFCI load centers, GFCI power cords and GFCIs. Use thermoplastic nylon (THHN) insulated copper wire, never aluminum. 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. Whether 50A or 60A is required depends on the number of pumps and size of heater in the spa.įor most exterior spas, the electrician will run a 4-wire number 6 or number 8 wire to the spa location. Be sure that the GFCI should corresponds to the house breaker, so for instance a 60A GFCI should be paired with a 60A house breaker. Hooking up a 230 volt hot tub involves an electrician integrating the main house panel with a 50 or 60 amp breaker, the external GFCI/disconnect box and the spa pak/hot tub controller box. Most spas will operate with either 50 or 60 amp dedicated service at 220-240 volts. Electrical Hookup Requirements for Hot Tubs The way to have 230v hot tub electrical installed is to contact your local electrician.įollowing is information to understand the process but under no circumstances is intended to be a how-to for non-electricians as working on any electrical appliance including hot tubs can be extremely dangerous if proper procedure and precautions are not taken. Hot Tub Electrical Installation Hookup GFCI Hot Tub Electrical Installation Hookup GFCI.
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