I’ve got an outdoor hot tub. I purchased an outdoor load center with a 60 amp GFCI and cut off. How do I wire this to my service panel. I’m of the opinion that I can’t wire it to a breaker because I’d have two circuit breakers in line. What do I use to connect it to the panel? I looked everywhere (simple) for a pull out spanner to use in place of a breaker in the panel, maybe I’m not asking for the right thing?
Thanks,
NCtim
Replies
Yes you can have double breakers.....use a double pole 60amp. If there is a short in the hot tub, the GFCI will kick on first and shut off current. If someone is digging up your yard and slices into the cable, the 60amp will pop on the main panel.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Thanks, Marv. Love your signature. I guess that makes sense, since I have a main service breaker coming into the panel, everything is already running through two breakers. D'oh!
No reason you can't have two breakers in series. That is what a GFCI outlet is anyhow (more or less) - a breaker in series with the breaker in your panel.
The breaker in the panel and the wires that run from the panel to the disconnect you have must be sized together. The 60A GFCI in the cut off has wires coming out of it rated for 60A.
Thanks. Should my service panel have a 60 amp breaker or higher?
It should be at least a 60A - not smaller. The wires that run from that breaker need to be rated for at least 60A, too. Going larger would "almost guarantee" that if the pump pulls more than 60A, the GFCI in the "cut off" panel will trip. If you use a 60A, then it is possible that you might have to check two locations if the pump pulls more than 60A and causes a trip. If it were me, I'd use a 60A.
If it is a long run from your panel to the GFCI "cut off" panel, then you may want to go bigger on the conductor gauge to minimize voltage drop/current demand.
Someone like 4lorn1 or another sparky can give a better educated answer than I if you post the distance from your panel to the "cut off" panel.
Keep this in mind:
The breaker in the panel protects the wires from going to the "cut off" panel.
The "cut off" panel protects the wires from there to the motor - and also monitors the conductors for an imbalance to protect the occupants (the GFCI part).
Thanks! I plan on using 3-wire #6 to the sub and to the tub. I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure the sub already has segregated the nuetral and ground busses because it came with the GFCI installed.
It's going to be a run of 27 feet to the sub.
according to issue fhb 153 p. 96 on sub-panels, the secondary load center must have the neutral bar separated from the ground bar, so that the groud in the sub-panel floats.
good point.
His "cut off" box probably does not have the ground a neutral tied together anyway, but good to mention.
You pick up the phone and call an electrician.
Can you wire it yourself? Well sure. You can also do your own neurosurgery with a hatchet and a hand mirror. You better know your limitations. Mistakes may take years to show up.
If you get it wrong eventually your relaxing soak and good time with the ladies can become the last thing you, or someone you care about, does.
Most electrical contractors can wire it up in an hour or two. Still cheaper than an ambulance ride. And a whole lot cheaper than a funeral.
Hey Sparky,While I advocate using tradespeople to most everybody, I've wired my whole house, and others. In North Carolina a homeowner can take a test and wire their own home. Inspector said (back in 1987) that it was the best job he'd seen in years. I don't claim to be an expert, which is why I asked about sub panel.
Edited 11/18/2005 11:02 am ET by NCtim
From reading alot of his posts and following his advice myself on numerous items, I don't think 4LORN is generally anti-DIY electrician, it's just that there are some special considerations when wiring outdoor tubs, pools, spas, and the like that may require specialized knowledge apart from normal house wiring.
I believe these considerations are spelled out in NEC code, which you should probably access before final wiring.
NCtim,
4lorn1 is just being prudent , there is no way for us to know what you are capable of....
Art.680 can get a little hairy ,along with properly grounding the stuff near your hot tub .
Not a problem. That would probably have been my response. Ha!
NCtim,
Pull a home owners permit at your local township. You can wire it up
then call them for an inspection. Its the inspectors job to check the work and then approve it.DONT PUT YOUR HAND IN A TUB FULL OF WATER TO TEST IT!<G>
I just built my own home. I just passed my final Plumbing,HVAC,and electric. <YAHOO>!
Rob Teed
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