All About Hot Tubs And Spa Wiring
Isn’t it fun to have a hot tub or spa that is always at your disposal? Nothing beats the calming feeling of hot water or steam on your body as you relax after a long and tiring week. They offer an amazing relaxing experience that you can enjoy at any time, especially if you have them at home. However, you must be aware that hot tubs and spas require electricity for most of their functions, and electricity and water aren’t known to be good friends.
Therefore, you need an experienced electrician in Vancouver to take care of the hot tub and spa wiring, since it can be difficult and dangerous for both you and the devices. This article covers everything you need to know about the wiring of your hot tub and spa. So, let’s dive in.
Things to Know About Hot Tub and Spa Wiring
First of all, you should know about the voltage potential that comes into your home. It refers to the amount of current that is supplied to your home’s electrical system so that you can accurately find out which hot tub you should go for. You can choose between a hot tub that goes into a 120V electrical system or a spa that goes into a 240V electrical system.
No matter the quality of your hot tub or spa, finding out the amount of current that powers your home is very important for the proper function of these devices. Basically, there are two different types of wiring for hot tubs and spas. We will go over them one by one.
Plug-and-Play Hot Tubs
This type of hot tub contains a high-quality wire with a plug that is plugged directly into a 120V power outlet. This is why they are called plug-and-play hot tubs. One example of plug-and-play spas is inflatable hot tubs, which not only heat up the water but also make use of electricity to fill up air in the tub.
Wired Hot Tubs
Usually, wired hot tubs feature a direct connection to the circuit breaker of your home’s electrical system, and its voltage rating ranges between 220V and 240V. Since they have to be “wired” into the circuit breaker, you definitely need professional assistance for it. Moreover, the National Electric Code also needs to be followed by when you are getting a wired hot tub or spa installed.
When it comes to choosing between the two, their wiring plays a major role as well. For instance, plug-and-play hot tubs require no special wiring, and they just have to be plugged in, which saves time and installation costs as well. Moreover, you can put your plug-and-play hot tub anywhere and also carry it with you in the case of an inflatable hot tub.
However, if you consider heating power, plug-and-play hot tubs aren’t as effective as wired hot tubs when it comes to heating water. Since the wired variants are connected with circuit breakers, they have a steadier flow of current, thus providing a higher and stable heat output. You can expect the heat output of wired hot tubs to be more thrice as much as plug-and-play models.
Since wired hot tubs provide more heating, they also manage to heat up water much faster, thus consuming less electricity in the long run. This means that you can continue to enjoy your warm dips and baths without worrying about the electricity bill.
Another benefit that wired hot tubs have over plug-and-play tubs is that you have to empty and also deflate the latter every time you are done, which means that you will have to fill it up once again every time, thus wasting a lot of time and water. Moreover, people living in areas with extreme winters prefer wired hot tubs instead of plug-and-play models.
Supplied Involved in Wiring a Hot Tub or Spa
Let’s have a look at the different equipment that is involved in the installation of a hot tub or spa. These supplies not only ensure the proper function of the hot tub, but they also help keep you safe in case of any malfunctions or other problems.
Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is used to prevent your appliances and electrical fixtures from getting burned or malfunction due to a power surge or drip. The breaker “trips” when it receives a higher or lower amount of current than it should. Moreover, a direct link from the hot tub to the circuit breaker is what distinguishes it from plug-and-play hot tubs.
When you are getting a hot tub installed in your home, you can’t simply wire it into an existing circuit breaker. You will need a separate circuit breaker installed for it. Since circuit breakers come in different ratings, you will need to find one that covers the requirements of your hot tub.
Service Panel
The service panel is where all of your circuit breakers and the main breaker is housed. Your home’s service panel should have space for another circuit breaker. Make sure to get a breaker that supplies enough current for your hot tub to run properly.
In case your service panel doesn’t have enough space for a new circuit breaker, you can consult your electrician Vancouver and ask them if they can rewire some of the other appliances to free up a circuit breaker, without having to overload any one of them.
Separate Power Outlet
According to the National Electrical Code, you have to install a new power outlet 10-20 feet away from the hot tub. This can be used for multiple purposes, such as lighting, music devices, etc.
GFCI
A ground fault circuit interrupter is another electrical component that is made necessary by the National Electrical Code when you are installing a hot tub. The ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is used to break the electrical connection in case there is something wrong with the electrical grounding or there is a power surge.
In case there is something wrong with the GFCI and it doesn’t work, you also need to have a manual shut-off as a precautionary measure, so that you can quickly turn off the hot tub if you detect a problem. This GFCI shut-off box should be installed 6-7 feet away from the hot tub.
Wiring
Naturally, wiring is one of the most important components for connecting your hot tub to the circuit breaker. You should determine the right size and length according to the required amount of current by your hot tub. Having smaller wires results in higher chances of electrical fires and malfunctions, including damage to the electrical components of your hot tub.
This is another reason why you should always hire a professional electrician to do this work for you, instead of trying to figure it out on your own.
Conduit
In most states, the electrical code dictates that the wiring should be passed through a conduit pipe. This way, it isn’t exposed and has no chance of getting damaged. The depth at which the conduit pipe should be buried into the ground is also dictated by most states, and the electrician in Vancouver will be able to help you with this.
If you don’t know which electrician you should hire, it is best to find an agency that can provide you with a reliable electrician, such as Kato Electrical.
Steps of Wiring a Hot Tub or Spa
Before we get into the specifics of wiring a hot tub, you need to know that this is a job that is best suited for a professional electrician Vancouver, who knows their way around the task and also has sufficient experience. If you do it yourself, you are at risk of damaging your hot tub or injure yourself through electrocution.
Moreover, the electrician also has a good idea of the building electrical codes and laws that need to be followed while installing a hot tub. Different states may have different rules and protocols for the installation, and it can be hard for you to know all of them.
Without further ado, let’s have a look at the steps involved in wiring your hot tub and spa.
Turning off the power supply
Before doing anything, the power supply should be off so that there isn’t any electrical hazard or fire that occurs due to a faulty connection.
Installing the circuit breaker
Once the electrician turns off the main breaker that cuts off the electricity to your house, they have to install a new circuit breaker into the service panel.
Installing the panel
Before this process starts, the electrician determines whether your home’s electrical system can handle the heavy load of a hot tub along with the existing appliances and fixtures. Once this is determined, the electrician will install the panel some 5-6 feet away from the hot tub. This will help the circuit breaker prevent tripping even when there is no power surge or dip.
Digging the trench
If your locality requires the use of a conduit for concealing the wiring for your hot tub, then the electrician will dig a trench where they can lay down the conduit pipe and pass the wires through it. Make sure to find out the determined length and depth for the conduit, so that you abide by the rules.
Placing the conduit
The next step requires the electrician to drill a hole into the wall, preferably close to the breaker panel. Next, they will guide the conduit towards the essential locations, such as near the spa panel and the newly excavated trench.
Usually, a non-metallic flexible pipe is used if the length is below 6 feet, and metallic pipes are installed for lengths above 6 feet. Once the entire conduit pipes are laid down, they are connected together by LB fittings and the wires are passed through them with a piece of thermoplastic nylon.
Connecting the wires
The next step is one of the most detailed and difficult ones, and it involves, connecting the wires to the electrical components and establishing an electrical connection between the breaker and the hot tub. In general, these steps are followed:
• The red and black wires are connected to the terminals on the circuit breaker
• The white and green wires are attached to the neutral connection in the service panel
• Run the wires through a conduit towards the GFCI breaker box
• The black and red wires are attached to the line in connections on the GFCI breaker
• The white and green wires are connected to the neutral bar and grounding bus bar, respectively
• Lastly, the white pigtailed wire is connected to the neutral bar of the GFCI, and the red, black and green wires are sent through the conduit towards the control system of the hot tub. In the case of a 120V hot tub, you would also need a white neutral wire.
Checking the wiring
Once all of the wiring is connected and placed throughout the conduit, the electrician ensures that all the wiring is done perfectly and that the right size and gauge of wires have been used, so that there are no electrical malfunctions. In most hot tubs, you can’t run the wires underneath them, so they are routed towards the spa cabinet.
Turning on the power
Once everything is confirmed, the electrician will turn on the power supply to your house and also turn on the corresponding electrical components that have been wired to the hot tub, including the circuit breaker and GFCI. They will also ask you to fill up the hot tub, so that they can turn it on and check it properly. This way, you can be sure that everything works perfectly before the electrician leaves.
Before you start using your hot tub regularly, make sure to check it a few times, so that if there is any fault or problem with the wiring or the functions, you should call back the electrician and have them check everything once again. This way, you can prevent any future accidents or injuries while using the hot tub.
Common Mistakes with Hot Tub Installation
There are some common mistakes that people often make when they try to connect their hot tubs on their own. However, there is no reason to worry, because electricians can also make these mistakes sometimes.
GFCI Protection
The GFCI is installed a few feet away from the hot tub, and its primary task is to prevent a fire or electrical hazard when there is a power surge or a problem with the electrical grounding. If the GFCI isn’t installed or wired properly, this may result in you getting electrocuted or the hot tub getting damaged beyond repair.
Electrical Bonding
As we mentioned above, electricity and water don’t mix well together. Therefore, you need an electrician to connect the wires properly between all of the metallic components and back to the service panel. Even the slightest mistake can cause a major electrical hazard that can cause a large fire to your home. Moreover, it can be fatal if you are in the hot tub and the current passes through the water.
Grounding Issues
The hot tub wiring has to be properly grounded so that any excess current can be channeled into the earth inside of the electrical components. If the grounding isn’t done properly, it could also channel the current towards the water, resulting in a fatal accident or injury.
Tripping Breakers
If the circuit breaker trips every time you turn on your hot tub, there may be a problem in the system. It can be something as small as moisture in the electrical components or as large as faulty parts. Moreover, if the electrician doesn’t tighten up the wires properly, it can cause two wires to touch together and cause a short circuit.
As you can see, wiring your hot tub isn’t something you can pull off on your own, even if you do all the electrical work in the house on your own. This is much more different and critical than the other electrical fixtures in your home, and this is why you should enlist the services of an electrician in Vancouver for this purpose.
Not only do electricians have the right experience and tools for the job, but they are also well-versed with the building and electrical codes that have to be followed in the hot tub installation. Moreover, you can also claim accidental insurance in case there is a malfunction in the hot tub or it causes injury to you. If there is a problem with the wiring, you won’t be at fault and it would be easier to get your claim processed.
If you are looking for a reliable and trusted electrical service agency that can provide you with a professional and experienced technician or handyman, get in touch with Kato Electrical. Not only do they have all the necessary knowledge and resources required for hot tub installation, but they can also help you choose the right hot tub and electrical components for your home.