Wiktor Wise
Bonding a swimming pool is an essential safety measure that prevents accidental electrocution or serious injury. It involves connecting the electrical and metallic components of the pool with a wire to form a non-resistive path between them. This process, known as bonding, creates a network that contains electricity and prevents the transmission of harmful electrical voltage to people, pets, or equipment. The combination of water and electricity can be fatal, so it is crucial to adhere to safety practices and consult a professional electrician when working with electrical systems near water. Proper bonding ensures that if any component becomes energised, the breaker will trip, protecting anyone in the pool or touching the metal components from electrical shocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent electrocution and serious injury by creating a field around the pool |
| Materials | #8 bare solid copper wire, stainless machine screws, copper lugs, split bolts, bonding wire, skimmer bonding plate, pump, water bonding plate, bonding lug |
| Pool Types | In-ground, above-ground, permanent, storable, vinyl liner, fiberglass composite shell, concrete |
| Bonding Requirements | All metallic parts of the pool's structure must be bonded, including metal fittings, electrical equipment, and underwater lighting shells |
| Grounding | Connects the pool's electrical network to the electrical panel and then to the earth to direct and dissipate excess electricity |
| Safety | Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and proper bonding and grounding are critical to pool safety |
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What You'll Learn
Bonding and grounding prevent electrocution
Bonding and grounding are essential when installing a swimming pool to prevent the risk of electrocution. Pools, especially in-ground pools, are required to be bonded and grounded to prevent electric shock for those walking around or swimming in the pool. The combination of water and electricity can be fatal, so it is important to adhere to all safety practices.
The process of bonding and grounding a pool involves connecting all conductive parts of the pool to a grounding terminal, creating an equal and balanced level of electrical potential. This includes bonding the pool water to the bonding loop, as well as all metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure, such as metal piping, metal fences, and metal window frames. The electrical equipment for swimming pools must also be grounded and connected by wiring methods in accordance with the NFPA 70 National Electric Code®.
An equipment-grounding conductor should be installed between the grounding terminal of the pool equipment panel board and the grounding terminal of the applicable service equipment. This conductor should be made of copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel and should be listed for direct burial. Conductors of at least 8 AWG or rigid metal conduit are typically used for bonding, and sheet metal screws should not be used to connect bonding conductors.
By bonding and grounding the pool, you ensure that if any part of the pool becomes energised, the voltage will spread out over every bonded piece, tripping the breaker and preventing electricity from passing through the water or anyone in the pool. This creates a safe environment for swimmers and prevents the risk of electrocution.
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Bonding wire and lugs
Bonding is required to ensure that all metal parts of the electrical equipment and the non-electrical metal parts of the pool attain equal electrical potential. This creates a low-impedance path for the fault current to return to the source circuit, tripping the over-current device.
The bonding wire should be at least 8 AWG or larger and can be insulated, covered, or bare. It should be made of copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel and should be listed for direct burial. The wire should be secured within or under the deck or unpaved surface, located between 4 and 6 inches below the subgrade and 18 to 24 inches from the inside walls of the pool.
All metal parts of the pool's structure, including reinforcing metal, must be bonded together. This includes metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure, such as metal-formed lighting shells, pumps, motors, metal parts of pool covers, and associated equipment.
Copper lugs and split bolts are used to connect the bonding wires together into one loop. The lugs should be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four points spaced uniformly around the perimeter of the pool. On an above-ground pool, this may require drilling four holes equally spaced at low points around the pool to attach the lugs below the liner.
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Bonding to perimeter surfaces
Bonding a swimming pool is a safety measure to prevent accidental electrocution or serious injury. The process involves joining the electrical and metallic components of the pool with a wire to form a non-resistive path between the components. This contains and prevents the transmission of harmful electrical voltage to people, pets, or equipment.
The perimeter surface that is considered to be bonded is the area that extends 3 feet (1 metre) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool. This includes unpaved surfaces and other types of paving. Bonding to perimeter surfaces can be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of 4 points spaced around the pool's perimeter. These points should be uniformly spaced and located between 18 and 24 inches from the inside walls of the pool.
The bonding wire should be attached to the metal deck, pool equipment, metal pool wall, and even the water. This creates a field around the pool that prevents those in or around it from reaching a different electrical potential. It is important to use stainless machine screws to connect the bonding conductor, and not sheet metal screws or rivets. The bonding conductor should be secured in or under the deck or unpaved surface within 4 to 6 inches below the subgrade.
For above-ground pools, the bonding wire may need to be attached to the pool at 4 equally spaced points that are low enough to be below the liner. On pools with a metal wall, only one bond point is required.
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Bonding metallic parts
All metallic parts of the pool's structure, including reinforcing metal, must be bonded. This includes underwater metal-formed lighting shells, metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure, and metal parts of electrical equipment related to the water circulation system, such as pumps, motors, and metal parts of pool covers.
To bond metallic parts, you can use solid copper conductors (insulated, covered, or bare), at least 8 AWG, or rigid metal conduit made of brass or other corrosion-resistant metals. Copper lugs and split bolts can be used to connect the bonding wires together into one loop. The bonding conductor should be secured within or under the deck, with the specific distance dictated by relevant codes and standards.
It is important to note that the combination of water and electricity can be fatal, so adhering to safety practices and consulting a professional electrician is highly recommended.
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Bonding kits
The Burndy BWB680AGRK Waterbug Pool Water Bonding Kit is a popular option for pool owners. This kit includes the necessary components to create a safe electrical bond for your pool, complying with the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. It requires drilling a hole through the skimmer and installing the device, providing a connection to the pump bonding lug, heater bonding lug, and other metal components.
The Perma-Cast Pool Water Bonding Kit is another reputable option. This kit includes the PoolBond PB-2008 brass fitting, complying with the NEC's requirements for a minimum conductive surface area of 9 square inches. It ensures that stray electrical currents from nearby sources do not pass between the pool water and its surroundings, preventing electrical shocks.
The ILSCO Pool Water Bonding Kit PWBC-4-KIT is a durable option, featuring a 316 stainless steel bonding plate. This kit is available at Home Depot and offers a hassle-free return policy within 90 days of purchase.
When selecting a bonding kit, it is important to ensure that it complies with the latest NEC requirements. For example, the bonding conductor should be at least 8 AWG bare solid copper, and stainless machine screws should be used instead of sheet metal screws or rivets. Additionally, the bonding conductor must be secured within a specific distance from the subgrade and the pool's inside walls.
By following these guidelines and choosing a suitable bonding kit, you can effectively electrically bond your swimming pool, prioritising the safety of your family and friends who will be enjoying the pool.
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Frequently asked questions
Bonding a pool is a safety measure to prevent electrocution or serious injury. The process involves joining the electrical and metallic components of the pool together with a wire to form a non-resistive path between the components. This prevents the transmission of harmful electrical voltage to people or pets in the pool area.
You will need a complete pool bonding kit, which includes a bonding wire, water bonding plate, bonding lugs, and other necessary components. You will also need to determine the length of #8 bare solid copper wire required, as well as the number of bonding lugs.
Start by determining the length of copper wire required for your pool size. Then, create a continuous loop around the pool, ensuring it touches the water bonding plate and the pump. Bury the wire 8 inches from the surface and return to the starting point to close the loop. Finally, run the wire around to all the bonding lugs, connecting the electrical and metallic components of the pool together.
