Hot tubs would typically need a 50 60-amp circuit, which requires a voltage of 220 to 240-V. However, the specific requirements for your hot tub may vary depending on the make, model, manufacturer, and style. With a 60-amp circuit that is 240-V, every part of your spa, from your heater to your pumps, can run at once.
A licensed electrician should always be brought in to wire your hot tub. You need someone experienced and knowledgeable, especially when you’re dealing with electricity and water together.
What Kind Of Breaker Does A Hot Tub Need?
Ideally, hot tubs would need a 50 to 60-amp breaker. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that an electrician wire the spa to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Also known as a GFCI, this helps prevent electrocution by cutting off power to the spa before anyone is hurt. These circuit interrupters can be found almost anywhere an electrical circuit could come in direct contact with water.
Also known as a manual disconnection device, you should also have the hot tub’s electrical panel or spa panel installed between your home and the hot tub. These two components provide the power that your spa requires to operate properly and helps prevent any accidents from occurring.
Are There Specific Requirements For Wiring A Hot Tub?
An assortment of tools is needed by an electrician to wire a hot tub. The following items are required by an electrician: a tape measure, a wire stripper, electrical tape, conduit, grease, and so on.
Even though you might not be doing this work on your own, it is still important to learn how everything is done. Before mounting the spa panel, the electrician will need to shut off the power at the main breaker box of your home. One very important thing to keep in mind, is to ensure that your spa panel is not located within five feet of your spa yet visible from the spa’s location.
Once you’ve established that everything is safe, you can begin to dig the conduit trench. The details of all of this will vary depending on where you live and what your building code is, so it’s important to be well versed in what the rules are for your district. You should avoid running wires or the conduit directly under your hot tub, as this could lead to safety concerns.
Do Hot Tubs Need Their Own Circuit?
The simple answer is yes. Each hot tub must have its own circuit. A standard-sized hot tub will require a 220 to 240-V, 50 to 60-amp breaker, as well as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is important to ensure that the circuit where the hot tub is plugged into is not used to power any other devices. Instead, the circuit should only be used to power the hot tub. This will keep the breaker from overloading and is the safest way to proceed.
How Deep Should The Electrical Wires Be Buried?
The minimum depth at which hot tub wires should be buried is 18 inches. To ensure safety and compliance, it is a good idea for you to read through the regulations before you start digging or even planning to.
Contacting a professional to check for pipes and cables is an important part of this process. This is another reason why hiring an expert is the best idea, because the last thing anyone wants is to deal with damaged pipes or cables. Going this route and checking things over first will ultimately ensure nothing is damaged during the installation of your hot tub.
These are the steps that need to be taken when installing a hot tub. Finding a reliable electrician to help with your hot tub installation, can provide you with an overall feeling of reassurance that your family, home, and neighbours will be safe. So, when everything is said and done, you can focus on what matters; enjoying your brand-new hot tub.
It’s important to be informed on what the electrical components of a hot tub installation consist of. Download the hot tub buyer’s guide to learn how to select the right hot tub for you.