When you’re dreaming about floating around on your brand-new above ground pool, you’re probably not thinking about necessities like the pool liner, the chemicals needed to keep the water clean or the pump that will keep the water circulating. A common question that comes up a lot with new owners is, “Do above ground pools need electricity?” Well, if your pool has a water pump, you’re definitely going to need access to electricity. This article will go over some of the considerations you should keep in mind when it comes to electricity and your new above ground pool.
120 Volts Versus 240 Volts
Above ground pool pumps are different from in-ground pool pumps. In-ground pool pumps are strong enough to suck water upwards. Above ground pool pumps do not have this ability. Consequently, in-ground pool pumps require 240 volts. You won’t be able to plug them into any old outlet on the inside or outside of your house. Above ground pool pumps, on the other hand, run on 120 volts. This means they could be plugged into a regular electrical outlet. However, this isn’t recommended. Pool pumps of both styles use a lot of electricity, so it would be in your best interest to install a dedicated circuit for your above ground pump. This means your pool pump won’t be competing for electricity with other appliances in your house and you won’t be constantly blowing breakers.
Installing A Dedicated Circuit
If you’re not already experienced in working with electricity, installing a dedicated circuit is probably not a job you should be doing yourself. Hiring an electrician would be safer and would have some sort of guarantee that the job is done correctly. If you do plan on doing it yourself, there are some basic tips would be kept in mind during the process.
National Electric Code (NEC)
The NEC is a set of regulations which dictates standard practices when dealing with electricity. It will tell you the proper sizes of breakers and wiring, weatherproofing and grounding regulations as well as how deep electrical wires need to be buried. Consult with this code before starting any work.
Amperage
Knowing the amperage of your pool pump is necessary for choosing the proper circuit breaker and the gauge of wire that you’ll be using. You’ll find this information on a label attached to the pool pump motor.
Additional Outlets
If you have other electrical pool equipment such as ozonators or ionizers you’ll want to make sure you also have outlets for their use.
Once again, because you’re dealing with electricity and water, getting this done right could mean the difference between life and death. If you’re not already trained and experienced, just pay the extra money needed to hire an electrician and keep you and your family safe.
To learn more about above ground pools, download a brochure.