Article 680

Swimming Pools, Fountains, and Similar Installations

Part I. General

  1. Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the construction and installation of electrical wiring for, and equip‐ ment in or adjacent to, all swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools; fountains; hot tubs; spas; and hydromassage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable, and to metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters, and simi‐ lar equipment. The term body of water used throughout Part I applies to all bodies of water covered in this scope unless other‐ wise amended.
  2. Definitions.

Cord-and-Plug-Connected Lighting Assembly. A lighting assem‐ bly consisting of a luminaire intended for installation in the wall of a spa, hot tub, or storable pool, and a cord-and-plug- connected transformer.

Dry-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation in the floor or wall of a pool, spa, or fountain in a niche that is sealed against the entry of water.

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Electrically Powered Pool Lift. An electrically powered lift that provides accessibility to and from a pool or spa for people with disabilities.

Fixed (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location.

Forming Shell. A structure designed to support a wet-niche luminaire assembly and intended for mounting in a pool or fountain structure.

Fountain. Fountains, ornamental pools, display pools, and reflection pools. The definition does not include drinking fountains.

Hydromassage Bathtub. A permanently installed bathtub equipped with a recirculating piping system, pump, and associ‐ ated equipment. It is designed so it can accept, circulate, and discharge water upon each use.

Low Voltage Contact Limit. A voltage not exceeding the follow‐ ing values:

  1. 15 volts (RMS) for sinusoidal ac
  2. 21.2 volts peak for nonsinusoidal ac
  3. 30 volts for continuous dc
  4. 12.4 volts peak for dc that is interrupted at a rate of 10 to 200 Hz

Maximum Water Level. The highest level that water can reach before it spills out.

No-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation above or below the water without a niche.

Packaged Spa or Hot Tub Equipment Assembly. A factory- fabricated unit consisting of water-circulating, heating, and control equipment mounted on a common base, intended to operate a spa or hot tub. Equipment can include pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.

Packaged Therapeutic Tub or Hydrotherapeutic Tank Equip‐ ment Assembly. A factory-fabricated unit consisting of water- circulating, heating, and control equipment mounted on a common base, intended to operate a therapeutic tub or hydro‐ therapeutic tank. Equipment can include pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.

Permanently Installed Decorative Fountains and Reflection Pools. Those that are constructed in the ground, on the ground, or in a building in such a manner that the fountain cannot be readily disassembled for storage, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature. These units are primarily constructed for their aesthetic value and are not intended for swimming or wading.

Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion, and Therapeutic Pools. Those that are constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water in a depth greater than 1.0 m (42 in.), and all pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature.

Pool. Manufactured or field-constructed equipment designed to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent basis and used for swimming, wading, immersion, or therapeutic purpo‐ ses.

Pool Cover, Electrically Operated. Motor-driven equipment designed to cover and uncover the water surface of a pool by means of a flexible sheet or rigid frame.

Portable (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is actually moved or can easily be moved from one place to another in normal use.

Self-Contained Spa or Hot Tub. Factory-fabricated unit consist‐ ing of a spa or hot tub vessel with all water-circulating, heating, and control equipment integral to the unit. Equipment can

include pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.

Self-Contained Therapeutic Tubs or Hydrotherapeutic Tanks. A factory-fabricated unit consisting of a therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic tank with all water-circulating, heating, and control equipment integral to the unit. Equipment may include pumps, air blowers, heaters, light controls, sanitizer generators, and so forth.

Spa or Hot Tub. A hydromassage pool, or tub for recreational or therapeutic use, not located in health care facilities, designed for immersion of users, and usually having a filter, heater, and motor-driven blower. It may be installed indoors or outdoors, on the ground or supporting structure, or in the ground or supporting structure. Generally, a spa or hot tub is not designed or intended to have its contents drained or discharged after each use.

Stationary (as applied to equipment). Equipment that is not moved from one place to another in normal use.

Storable Swimming, Wading, or Immersion Pools; or Storable/ Portable Spas and Hot Tubs. Swimming, wading, or immer‐ sion pools that are intended to be stored when not in use, constructed on or above the ground and are capable of hold‐ ing water to a maximum depth of 1.0 m (42 in.), or a pool, spa, or hot tub constructed on or above the ground, with nonmetal‐ lic, molded polymeric walls or inflatable fabric walls regardless of dimension.

Through-Wall Lighting Assembly. A lighting assembly intended for installation above grade, on or through the wall of a pool, consisting of two interconnected groups of components separa‐ ted by the pool wall.

Wet-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended for installation in a forming shell mounted in a pool or fountain structure where the luminaire will be completely surrounded by water.

  1. Approval of Equipment. All electrical equipment instal‐led in the water, walls, or decks of pools, fountains, and similar installations shall comply with the provisions of this article. Equipment and products shall be listed.
  2. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) shall be self-contained units, circuit- breaker or receptacle types, or other listed types.
  3. Grounding. Electrical equipment shall be grounded in accordance with Parts V, VI, and VII of Article 250 and connec‐ ted by wiring methods of Chapter 3, except as modified by this article. The following equipment shall be grounded:
    1. Through-wall lighting assemblies and underwater lumin‐ aires, other than those low-voltage lighting products listed for the application without a grounding conductor
    2. All electrical equipment located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the specified body of water
    3. All electrical equipment associated with the recirculating system of the specified body of water
    4. Junction boxes
    5. Transformer and power supply enclosures
    6. Ground-fault circuit interrupters
    7. Panelboards that are not part of the service equipment and that supply any electrical equipment associated with the specified body of water
  4. Grounding and Bonding Terminals. Grounding and bonding terminals shall be identified for use in wet and corro‐ sive environments. Field-installed grounding and bonding connections in a damp, wet, or corrosive environment shall be composed of copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel. They shall be listed for direct burial use.imageN
  5. Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. Fixed or station‐ ary equipment, other than underwater luminaires, for a perma‐ nently installed pool shall be permitted to be connected with a flexible cord and plug to facilitate the removal or disconnec‐ tion for maintenance or repair.
    1. Length. For other than storable pools, the flexible cord shall not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.
    2. Equipment Grounding. The flexible cord shall have a copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG. The cord shall terminate in a grounding-type attachment plug.
    3. Construction. The equipment grounding conductors shall be connected to a fixed metal part of the assembly. The removable part shall be mounted on or bonded to the fixed metal part.
  6. Overhead Conductor Clearances. Overhead conductors shall meet the clearance requirements in this section. Where a minimum clearance from the water level is given, the measure‐ ment shall be taken from the maximum water level of the speci‐ fied body of water.
  1. Power. With respect to service-drop conductors, overhead service conductors, and open overhead wiring, swimming pool and similar installations shall comply with the minimum clear‐ ances given in Table 680.9(A) and illustrated in Figure 680.9(A).Informational Note: Open overhead wiring as used in this article typically refers to conductor(s) not in an enclosed raceway.
  2. Communications Systems. Communications, radio, and television coaxial cables within the scope of Articles 800 through 820 shall be permitted at a height of not less than3.0 m (10 ft) above swimming and wading pools, diving struc‐ tures, and observation stands, towers, or platforms.
  3. Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems. The minimum clearances for overhead network-powered broadband communications systems conductors from pools or fountains shall comply with the provisions in Table 680.9(A) for conductors operating at 0 to 750 volts to ground.
  1. Electric Pool Water Heaters. All electric pool water heaters shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over 60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall not be less than 125 percent of the total nameplate-rated load.
  2. Underground Wiring Location. Underground wiring shall be permitted where installed in rigid metal conduit, inter‐ mediate metal conduit, rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, rein‐ forced thermosetting resin conduit, or Type MC cable, suitable for the conditions subject to that location. Underground wiring shall not be permitted under the pool unless this wiring is necessary to supply pool equipment permitted by this article. Minimum cover depths shall be as given in Table 300.5 .•
    Table 680.9(A) Overhead Conductor Clearances
    imageInsulated Cables, 0–750 Volts to Ground, Supported on and Cabled Together with a Solidly Grounded Bare Messenger or Solidly Grounded Neutral ConductorAll Other Conductors Voltage to Groundimage
    0 through 15 kV Over 15 through 50 kVimageClearance Parametersimage
    1. Clearance in any direction to the water level, edge of water surface, base of diving platform, or permanently anchored raftimage
    2. Clearance in any direction to the observation stand, tower, or diving platform
    3. Horizontal limit of clearance measured from inside wall of the pool

    imageimageimage  m ft m ft m ft6.9 22.5 7.5 25 8.0 27
    4.4 14.5 5.2 17 5.5 18
    This limit shall extend to the outer edge of the structures listed in A and B of this table but not less than 3 m (10 ft).

    imageBABBBBA      CPoolObservation stand       C
  3. Equipment Rooms and Pits. Electrical equipment shall not be installed in rooms or pits that do not have drainage that prevents water accumulation during normal operation or filter maintenance. Equipment shall be suitable for the envi‐ ronment in accordance with 300.6.
    Informational Note: Chemicals such as chlorine cause severecorrosive and deteriorating effects on electrical connections, equipment, and enclosures when stored and kept in the same vicinity. Adequate ventilation of indoor spaces such as equip‐ ment and storage rooms is addressed by ANSI/APSP-11, Stand‐ ard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas, and can reduce the likelihood of the accumulation of corrosive vapors.
  4. Maintenance Disconnecting Means. One or more means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conduc‐ tors shall be provided for all utilization equipment other than lighting. Each means shall be readily accessible and within sight from its equipment and shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, spa, fountain, or hot tub unless separated from the open water by a permanently installed barrier that provides a 1.5 m (5 ft) reach path or greater. This horizontal distance shall be measured from the water’s edge along the shortest path required to reach the disconnect.imageN
  5. Corrosive Environment.
  1. General. Areas where pool sanitation chemicals are stored, as well as areas with circulation pumps, automatic chlor‐ inators, filters, open areas under decks adjacent to or abutting the pool structure, and similar locations shall be considered to be a corrosive environment. The air in such areas shall be considered to be laden with acid, chlorine, and bromine vapors, or any combination of acid, chlorine, or bromine vapors, and any liquids or condensation in those areas shall be considered to be laden with acids, chlorine, and bromine vapors, or any combination of acid, chlorine, or bromine vapors.
  2. Wiring Methods. Wiring methods in the areas described in 680.14(A) shall be listed and identified for use in such areas. Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid poly‐ vinyl chloride conduit, and reinforced thermosetting resin conduit shall be considered to be resistant to the corrosive environment specified in 680.14(A).

FIGURE 680.9(A) Clearances from Pool Structures.

Part II. Permanently Installed Pools

  1. General. Electrical installations at permanently instal‐ led pools shall comply with the provisions of Part I and Part II of this article.
  2. Motors.
    1. Wiring Methods. The wiring to a pool motor shall comply with (A)(1) unless modified for specific circumstances by (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5).
      1. General. Wiring methods installed in the corrosive envi‐ ronment described in 680.14 shall comply with 680.14(B) or shall be type MC cable listed for that location. Wiring methods installed in these locations shall contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.Where installed in noncorrosive environments, branch circuits shall comply with the general requirements in Chap‐ ter 3.•
      2. Flexible Connections. Where necessary to employ flexibleconnections at or adjacent to the motor, liquidtight flexible metal or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit with listed fittings shall be permitted.•
      3. Cord-and-Plug Connections. Pool-associated motors shallbe permitted to employ cord-and-plug connections. The flexi‐ ble cord shall not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length. The flexible cord shall include a copper equipment grounding conductor
        sized in accordance with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG. The cord shall terminate in a grounding-type attachment plug.
    2. Double Insulated Pool Pumps. A listed cord-and-plug- connected pool pump incorporating an approved system of double insulation that provides a means for grounding only the internal and nonaccessible, non–current-carrying metal parts of the pump shall be connected to any wiring method recog‐ nized in Chapter 3 that is suitable for the location. Where the bonding grid is connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit in accordance with the second sentence of 680.26(B)(6)(a), the branch-circuit wiring shall comply with 680.21(A).
    3. GFCI Protection. Outlets supplying pool pump motors connected to single-phase, 120-volt through 240-volt branch circuits, whether by receptacle or by direct connection, shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
  3. Lighting, Receptacles, and Equipment.
  1. Receptacles.
    1. Required Receptacle, Location. Where a permanently installed pool is installed, no fewer than one 125-volt, 15- or 20- ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not more than6.0 m (20 ft) from, the inside wall of the pool. This receptacle shall be located not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) above the floor, platform, or grade level serving the pool.
    2. Circulation and Sanitation System, Location. Receptacles that provide power for water-pump motors or for other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation system shall be located at least 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of the pool. These receptacles shall have GFCI protection and be of the grounding type.•
    3. Other Receptacles, Location. Other receptacles shall benot less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a pool.
    4. GFCI Protection. All 15- and 20-ampere, single-phase, 125-volt receptacles located within 6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit inter‐ rupter.
    5. Measurements. In determining the dimensions in this section addressing receptacle spacings, the distance to be meas‐ ured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent barrier.
  2. Luminaires, Lighting Outlets, and Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
    1. New Outdoor Installation Clearances. In outdoor pool areas, luminaires, lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans installed above the pool or the area extending1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool shall be installed at a height not less than 3.7 m (12 ft) above the maximum water level of the pool.
    2. Indoor Clearances. For installations in indoor pool areas, the clearances shall be the same as for outdoor areas unless modified as provided in this paragraph. If the branch circuit supplying the equipment is protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter, the following equipment shall be permitted at aheight not less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.) above the maximum pool water level:
      1. Totally enclosed luminaires
      2. Ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans identified for use beneath ceiling structures such as provided on porches or patios
      3. Existing Installations. Existing luminaires and lighting outlets located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) measured horizontally from the inside walls of a pool shall be not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) above the surface of the maximum water level, shall be rigidly attached to the existing structure, and shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
      4. GFCI Protection in Adjacent Areas. Luminaires, lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans installed in the area extending between 1.5 m (5 ft) and 3.0 m (10 ft) horizon‐ tally from the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter unless installed not less than1.5 m (5 ft) above the maximum water level and rigidly attached to the structure adjacent to or enclosing the pool.
      5. Cord-and-Plug-Connected Luminaires. Cord-and-plug- connected luminaires shall comply with the requirements of680.8 where installed within 4.9 m (16 ft) of any point on the water surface, measured radially.
      6. Low-Voltage Luminaires. Listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, not exceeding the low-voltage contact limit, and supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) shall be permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool.imageN
      7. Low-Voltage Gas-Fired Luminaires, Decorative Fireplaces, Fire Pits, and Similar Equipment. Listed low-voltage gas-fired- luminaires, decorative fireplaces, fire pits, and similar equip‐ ment using low-voltage ignitors that do not require grounding, and are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) with outputs that do not exceed the low-voltage contact limit shall be permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool. Metallic equipment shall be bonded in accordance with the require‐ ments in 680.26(B). Transformers or power supplies supplying this type of equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements in 680.24. Metallic gas piping shall be bonded in accordance with the requirements in 250.104(B) and 680.26(B)(7).
  3. Switching Devices. Switching devices shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier. Alternatively, a switch that is listed as being acceptable for use within 1.5 m (5 ft) shall be permitted.
  4. Other Outlets. Other outlets shall be not less than 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of the pool. Measurements shall be determined in accordance with 680.22(A)(5).

Informational Note: Other outlets may include, but are not limi‐ ted to, remote-control, signaling, fire alarm, and communica‐ tions circuits.

  1. Underwater Luminaires. This section covers all lumin‐ aires installed below the maximum water level of the pool.
    1. General.
      1. Luminaire Design, Normal Operation. The design of an underwater luminaire supplied from a branch circuit either
        directly or by way of a transformer or power supply meeting the requirements of this section shall be such that, where the luminaire is properly installed without a ground-fault circuit interrupter, there is no shock hazard with any likely combina‐ tion of fault conditions during normal use (not relamping).
      2. Transformers and Power Supplies. Transformers and power supplies used for the supply of underwater luminaires, together with the transformer or power supply enclosure, shall be listed, labeled, and identified for swimming pool and spa use. The transformer or power supply shall incorporate either a transformer of the isolated winding type, with an ungrounded secondary that has a grounded metal barrier between the primary and secondary windings, or one that incorporates an approved system of double insulation between the primary and secondary windings.
      3. GFCI Protection, Lamping, Relamping, and Servicing. Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel shall be installed in the branch circuit supplying luminaires operat‐ ing at voltages greater than the low-voltage contact limit.
      4. Voltage Limitation. No luminaires shall be installed for operation on supply circuits over 150 volts between conductors.
      5. Location, Wall-Mounted Luminaires. Luminaires mounted in walls shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens not less than 450 mm (18 in.) below the normal water level of the pool, unless the luminaire is listed and identified for use at lesser depths. No luminaire shall be installed less than 100 mm (4 in.) below the normal water level of the pool.
      6. Bottom-Mounted Luminaires. A luminaire facing upward shall comply with either (1) or (2):
        1. Have the lens guarded to prevent contact by any person
        2. Be listed for use without a guard
        1. Dependence on Submersion. Luminaires that depend on submersion for safe operation shall be inherently protected against the hazards of overheating when not submerged.
        2. Compliance. Compliance with these requirements shall be obtained by the use of a listed underwater luminaire and by installation of a listed ground-fault circuit interrupter in the branch circuit or a listed transformer or power supply for luminaires operating at not more than the low voltage contact limit.
    2. Wet-Niche Luminaires.
      1. Forming Shells. Forming shells shall be installed for the mounting of all wet-niche underwater luminaires and shall be equipped with provisions for conduit entries. Metal parts of the luminaire and forming shell in contact with the pool water shall be of brass or other approved corrosion-resistant metal. All forming shells used with nonmetallic conduit systems, other than those that are part of a listed low-voltage lighting system not requiring grounding, shall include provisions for terminat‐ ing an 8 AWG copper conductor.
      2. Wiring Extending Directly to the Forming Shell. Conduit shall be installed from the forming shell to a junction box or other enclosure conforming to the requirements in 680.24. Conduit shall be rigid metal, intermediate metal, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic, or rigid nonmetallic.
        1. Metal Conduit. Metal conduit shall be approved and shall be of brass or other approved corrosion-resistant metal.
        2. Nonmetallic Conduit. Where a nonmetallic conduit is used, an 8 AWG insulated solid or stranded copper bonding jumper shall be installed in this conduit unless a listed low- voltage lighting system not requiring grounding is used. The bonding jumper shall be terminated in the forming shell, junc‐ tion box or transformer enclosure, or ground-fault circuit- interrupter enclosure. The termination of the 8 AWG bonding jumper in the forming shell shall be covered with, or encapsu‐ lated in, a listed potting compound to protect the connection from the possible deteriorating effect of pool water.
      3. Equipment Grounding Provisions for Cords. Other than listed low-voltages lighting systems not requiring grounding wet-niche luminaires that are supplied by a flexible cord or cable shall have all exposed non–current-carrying metal parts grounded by an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor that is an integral part of the cord or cable. This grounding conductor shall be connected to a grounding termi‐ nal in the supply junction box, transformer enclosure, or other enclosure. The grounding conductor shall not be smaller than the supply conductors and not smaller than 16 AWG.
      4. Luminaire Grounding Terminations. The end of the flexible-cord jacket and the flexible-cord conductor termina‐ tions within a luminaire shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable potting compound to prevent the entry of water into the luminaire through the cord or its conductors. If present, the grounding connection within a luminaire shall be similarly treated to protect such connection from the deterio‐ rating effect of pool water in the event of water entry into the luminaire.
      5. Luminaire Bonding. The luminaire shall be bonded to, and secured to, the forming shell by a positive locking device that ensures a low-resistance contact and requires a tool to remove the luminaire from the forming shell. Bonding shall not be required for luminaires that are listed for the applica‐ tion and have no non–current-carrying metal parts.
      6. Servicing. All wet-niche luminaires shall be removable from the water for inspection, relamping, or other mainte‐ nance. The forming shell location and length of cord in the forming shell shall permit personnel to place the removed luminaire on the deck or other dry location for such mainte‐ nance. The luminaire maintenance location shall be accessible without entering or going in the pool water.
    3. Dry-Niche Luminaires.
      1. Construction. A dry-niche luminaire shall have provision for drainage of water. Other than listed low voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, a dry-niche luminaire shall have means for accommodating one equipment grounding conduc‐ tor for each conduit entry.
      2. Junction Box. A junction box shall not be required but, if used, shall not be required to be elevated or located as speci‐ fied in 680.24(A)(2) if the luminaire is specifically identified for the purpose.
    4. No-Niche Luminaires. A no-niche luminaire shall meet the construction requirements of 680.23(B)(3) and be installed in accordance with the requirements of 680.23(B). Where connection to a forming shell is specified, the connection shall be to the mounting bracket.
    5. Through-Wall Lighting Assembly. A through-wall lighting assembly shall be equipped with a threaded entry or hub, or a
      nonmetallic hub, for the purpose of accommodating the termi‐ nation of the supply conduit. A through-wall lighting assembly shall meet the construction requirements of 680.23(B)(3) and be installed in accordance with the requirements of 680.23. Where connection to a forming shell is specified, the connec‐ tion shall be to the conduit termination point.
    6. Branch-Circuit Wiring.
      1. Wiring Methods. Where branch-circuit wiring on the supply side of enclosures and junction boxes connected to conduits run to underwater luminaires are installed in corro‐ sive environments as described in 680.14, the wiring method of that portion of the branch circuit shall be as required in 680.14(B) or shall be liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit. Wiring methods installed in corrosive environments as descri‐ bed in 680.14 shall contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122, but not smaller than 12 AWG.Where installed in noncorrosive environments, branch circuits shall comply with the general requirements in Chap‐ ter 3.Exception: Where connecting to transformers or power supplies for pool lights, liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall be permitted. The length shall not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft) for any one length or exceed 3.0 m (10 ft) in total length used.
      2. Equipment Grounding. Other than listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, all through-wall lighting assemblies, wet-niche, dry-niche, or no-niche luminaires shall be connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor installed with the circuit conductors. The equip‐ ment grounding conductor shall be installed without joint or splice except as permitted in (F)(2)(a) and (F)(2)(b). The equipment grounding conductor shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.122 but shall not be smaller than 12 AWG.Exception: An equipment grounding conductor between the wiring chamber of the secondary winding of a transformer and a junction box shall be sized in accordance with the overcurrent device in this circuit.
        1. If more than one underwater luminaire is supplied by the same branch circuit, the equipment grounding conduc‐ tor, installed between the junction boxes, transformer enclo‐ sures, or other enclosures in the supply circuit to wet-niche luminaires, or between the field-wiring compartments of dry- niche luminaires, shall be permitted to be terminated on grounding terminals.
        2. If the underwater luminaire is supplied from a trans‐ former, ground-fault circuit interrupter, clock-operated switch, or a manual snap switch that is located between the panelboard and a junction box connected to the conduit that extends directly to the underwater luminaire, the equipment ground‐ ing conductor shall be permitted to terminate on grounding terminals on the transformer, ground-fault circuit interrupter, clock-operated switch enclosure, or an outlet box used to enclose a snap switch.
      3. Conductors. Conductors on the load side of a ground- fault circuit interrupter or of a transformer, used to comply with the provisions of 680.23(A)(8), shall not occupy raceways, boxes, or enclosures containing other conductors unless one of the following conditions applies:
    1. The other conductors are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.
    2. The other conductors are equipment grounding conduc‐ tors and bonding jumpers as required per 680.23(B)(2) (b).
    3. The other conductors are supply conductors to a feed- through-type ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    4. Ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be permitted in a panelboard that contains circuits protected by other than ground-fault circuit interrupters.
  2. Junction Boxes and Electrical Enclosures for Trans‐ formers or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters.
    1. Junction Boxes. A junction box connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell or mounting bracket of a no-niche luminaire shall meet the requirements of this section.
      1. Construction. The junction box shall be listed, labeled, and identified as a swimming pool junction box and shall comply with the following conditions:
        1. Be equipped with threaded entries or hubs or a nonme‐ tallic hub
        2. Be comprised of copper, brass, suitable plastic, or other approved corrosion-resistant material
        3. Be provided with electrical continuity between every connected metal conduit and the grounding terminals by means of copper, brass, or other approved corrosion- resistant metal that is integral with the box
        4. Installation. Where the luminaire operates over the low voltage contact limit, the junction box location shall comply with (A)(2)(a) and (A)(2)(b). Where the luminaire operates at the low voltage contact limit or less, the junction box location shall be permitted to comply with (A)(2)(c).
          1. Vertical Spacing. The junction box shall be located not less than 100 mm (4 in.), measured from the inside of the bottom of the box, above the ground level, or pool deck, or not less than 200 mm (8 in.) above the maximum pool water level, whichever provides the greater elevation.
          2. Horizontal Spacing. The junction box shall be located not less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the inside wall of the pool, unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier.
          3. Flush Deck Box. If used on a lighting system operating at the low voltage contact limit or less, a flush deck box shall be permitted if both of the following conditions are met:
        1. An approved potting compound is used to fill the box to prevent the entrance of moisture.
        2. The flush deck box is located not less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the inside wall of the pool.
    2. Other Enclosures. An enclosure for a transformer, ground-fault circuit interrupter, or a similar device connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell or mount‐ ing bracket of a no-niche luminaire shall meet the require‐ ments of this section.
      1. Construction. The enclosure shall be listed and labeled for the purpose and meet the following requirements:
        1. Equipped with threaded entries or hubs or a nonmetallic hub
        2. Comprised of copper, brass, suitable plastic, or other approved corrosion-resistant material
        3. Provided with an approved seal, such as duct seal at the conduit connection, that prevents circulation of air between the conduit and the enclosures
        4. Provided with electrical continuity between every connec‐ ted metal conduit and the grounding terminals by means of copper, brass, or other approved corrosion-resistant metal that is integral with the box
        5. Installation.
          1. Vertical Spacing. The enclosure shall be located not less than 100 mm (4 in.), measured from the inside of the bottom of the box, above the ground level, or pool deck, or not less than 200 mm (8 in.) above the maximum pool water level, whichever provides the greater elevation.
          2. Horizontal Spacing. The enclosure shall be located not less than 1.2 m (4 ft) from the inside wall of the pool, unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier.
    3. Protection. Junction boxes and enclosures mounted above the grade of the finished walkway around the pool shall not be located in the walkway unless afforded additional protection, such as by location under diving boards, adjacent to fixed structures, and the like.
    4. Grounding Terminals. Junction boxes, transformer and power-supply enclosures, and ground-fault circuit-interrupter enclosures connected to a conduit that extends directly to a forming shell or mounting bracket of a no-niche luminaire shall be provided with a number of grounding terminals that shall be no fewer than one more than the number of conduit entries.
    5. Strain Relief. The termination of a flexible cord of an underwater luminaire within a junction box, transformer or power-supply enclosure, ground-fault circuit interrupter, or other enclosure shall be provided with a strain relief.
    6. Grounding. The equipment grounding conductor termi‐ nals of a junction box, transformer enclosure, or other enclo‐ sure in the supply circuit to a wet-niche or no-niche luminaire and the field-wiring chamber of a dry-niche luminaire shall be connected to the equipment grounding terminal of the panel‐ board. This terminal shall be directly connected to the panel‐ board enclosure.
  3. Feeders. These provisions shall apply to any feeder on the supply side of panelboards supplying branch circuits for pool equipment covered in Part II of this article and on the load side of the service equipment or the source of a separately derived system.•
    1. Feeders. Where feeders are installed in corrosive environ‐be liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit. Wiring methodsinstalled in corrosive environments as described in 680.14 shall contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122, but not smaller thanments as described in 680.14, the wiring method of that portion of the feeder shall be as required in 680.14(B) or shall
      12 AWG.Where installed in noncorrosive environments, feeders shall comply with the general requirements in Chapter 3.•
    2. Aluminum Conduit. Aluminum conduit shall not be
    permitted in the pool area where subject to corrosion.•
  4. Equipotential Bonding.
    1. Performance. The equipotential bonding required by this section shall be installed to reduce voltage gradients in the pool area.
    2. Bonded Parts. The parts specified in 680.26(B)(1) through (B)(7) shall be bonded together using solid copper conductors, insulated covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG or with rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified corrosion-resistant metal. Connections to bonded parts shall be made in accordance with 250.8. An 8 AWG or larger solid copper bonding conductor provided to reduce voltage gradi‐ ents in the pool area shall not be required to be extended or attached to remote panelboards, service equipment, or electro‐ des.
      1. Conductive Pool Shells. Bonding to conductive pool shells shall be provided as specified in 680.26(B)(1)(a) or (B)(1)(b). Poured concrete, pneumatically applied or sprayed concrete, and concrete block with painted or plastered coat‐ ings shall all be considered conductive materials due to water permeability and porosity. Vinyl liners and fiberglass composite shells shall be considered to be nonconductive materials.
        1. Structural Reinforcing Steel. Unencapsulated structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded together by steel tie wires or the equivalent. Where structural reinforcing steel is encapsula‐ ted in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor grid shall be installed in accordance with 680.26(B)(1)(b).
        2. Copper Conductor Grid. A copper conductor grid shall be provided and shall comply with (b)(1) through (b)(4).
          1. Be constructed of minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper conductors bonded to each other at all points of crossing. The bonding shall be in accordance with 250.8 or other approved means.
          2. Conform to the contour of the pool
          3. Be arranged in a 300-mm (12-in.) by 300-mm (12-in.) network of conductors in a uniformly spaced perpendicu‐ lar grid pattern with a tolerance of 100 mm (4 in.)
          4. Be secured within or under the pool no more than 150 mm (6 in.) from the outer contour of the pool shell
          5. Perimeter Surfaces. The perimeter surface to be bonded shall be considered to extend for 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool and shall include unpaved surfaces and other types of paving. Perimeter surfaces separa‐ ted from the pool by a permanent wall or building 1.5 m (5 ft) in height or more shall require equipotential bonding only on the pool side of the permanent wall or building. Bonding to perimeter surfaces shall be provided as specified in 680.26(B)(2)(a) or (2)(b) and shall be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four (4) points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool. For nonconductive pool shells, bonding at four points shall not be required.
            1. Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B)(1)(a).
            2. Alternate Means. Where structural reinforcing steel is not available or is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor(s) shall be utilized where the following requirements are met:
          1. At least one minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper conduc‐ tor shall be provided.
          2. The conductors shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface.
          3. Only listed splices shall be permitted.
          4. The required conductor shall be 450 mm to 600 mm (18 in. to 24 in.) from the inside walls of the pool.
          5. The required conductor shall be secured within or under the perimeter surface 100 mm to 150 mm (4 in. to 6 in.) below the subgrade.
            1. Metallic Components. All metallic parts of the pool struc‐ ture, including reinforcing metal not addressed in 680.26(B)(1)(a), shall be bonded. Where reinforcing steel is encapsulated with a nonconductive compound, the reinforcing steel shall not be required to be bonded.
            2. Underwater Lighting. All metal forming shells and mount‐ ing brackets of no-niche luminaires shall be bonded.Exception: Listed low-voltage lighting systems with nonmetallic forming shells shall not require bonding.
            3. Metal Fittings. All metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure shall be bonded. Isolated parts that are not over 100 mm (4 in.) in any dimension and do not penetrate into the pool structure more than 25 mm (1 in.) shall not require bond‐ ing.
            4. Electrical Equipment. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the pool water circulating system, including pump motors and metal parts of equipment associated with pool covers, including electric motors, shall be bonded.Exception: Metal parts of listed equipment incorporating an approved system of double insulation shall not be bonded.
              1. Double-Insulated Water Pump Motors. Where a double- insulated water pump motor is installed under the provisions of this rule, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor of sufficient length to make a bonding connection to a replacement motor shall be extended from the bonding grid to an accessible point in the vicinity of the pool pump motor. Where there is no connection between the swimming pool bonding grid and the equipment grounding system for the premises, this bonding conductor shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit.
              2. Pool Water Heaters. For pool water heaters rated at more than 50 amperes and having specific instructions regard‐ ing bonding and grounding, only those parts designated to be bonded shall be bonded and only those parts designated to be grounded shall be grounded.
            5. Fixed Metal Parts. All fixed metal parts shall be bonded including, but not limited to, metal-sheathed cables and race‐ ways, metal piping, metal awnings, metal fences, and metal door and window frames.
          Exception No. 1: Those separated from the pool by a permanent barrier that prevents contact by a person shall not be required to be bonded.Exception No. 2: Those greater than 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool shall not be required to be bonded.Exception No. 3: Those greater than 3.7 m (12 ft) measured vertically above the maximum water level of the pool, or as measured vertically above any observation stands, towers, or platforms, or any diving struc‐ tures, shall not be required to be bonded.
    3. Pool Water. Where none of the bonded parts is in direct connection with the pool water, the pool water shall be in direct contact with an approved corrosion-resistant conductive surface that exposes not less than 5800 mm2 (9 in.2) of surface area to the pool water at all times. The conductive surface shall be located where it is not exposed to physical damage or dislodgement during usual pool activities, and it shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B).
  5. Specialized Pool Equipment.
  1. Underwater Audio Equipment. All underwater audio equipment shall be identified.
    1. Speakers. Each speaker shall be mounted in an approved metal forming shell, the front of which is enclosed by a captive metal screen, or equivalent, that is bonded to, and secured to, the forming shell by a positive locking device that ensures a low-resistance contact and requires a tool to open for installa‐ tion or servicing of the speaker. The forming shell shall be installed in a recess in the wall or floor of the pool.
    2. Wiring Methods. Rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified corrosion-resistant metal, liquidtight flexible nonme‐ tallic conduit (LFNC), rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, or rein‐ forced thermosetting resin conduit shall extend from the forming shell to a listed junction box or other enclosure as provided in 680.24. Where rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, reinforced thermosetting resin conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit is used, an 8 AWG insulated solid or stran‐ ded copper bonding jumper shall be installed in this conduit. The bonding jumper shall be terminated in the forming shell and the junction box. The termination of the 8 AWG bonding jumper in the forming shell shall be covered with, or encapsu‐ lated in, a listed potting compound to protect such connection from the possible deteriorating effect of pool water.
    3. Forming Shell and Metal Screen. The forming shell and metal screen shall be of brass or other approved corrosion- resistant metal. All forming shells shall include provisions for terminating an 8 AWG copper conductor.
  2. Electrically Operated Pool Covers.
    1. Motors and Controllers. The electric motors, controllers, and wiring shall be located not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside wall of the pool unless separated from the pool by a wall, cover, or other permanent barrier. Electric motors installed below grade level shall be of the totally enclosed type. The device that controls the operation of the motor for an electri‐ cally operated pool cover shall be located such that the opera‐ tor has full view of the pool.Exception: Motors that are part of listed systems with ratings not exceed‐ing the low-voltage contact limit that are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) shall be permitted to be located less than 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the pool.•
    2. Protection. The electric motor and controller shall be connected to a branch circuit protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
      Exception: Motors that are part of listed systems with ratings not exceed‐ing the low-voltage contact limit that are supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2).
  3. Deck Area Heating. The provisions of this section shall apply to all pool deck areas, including a covered pool, where electrically operated comfort heating units are installed within

6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside wall of the pool.

  1. Unit Heaters. Unit heaters shall be rigidly mounted to the structure and shall be of the totally enclosed or guarded type. Unit heaters shall not be mounted over the pool or within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool.
  2. Permanently Wired Radiant Heaters. Radiant electric heaters shall be suitably guarded and securely fastened to their mounting device(s). Heaters shall not be installed over a pool or within the area extending 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of the pool and shall be mounted at least 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically above the pool deck unless otherwise approved.
  3. Radiant Heating Cables Not Permitted. Radiant heating cables embedded in or below the deck shall not be permitted.
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680.28 Gas-Fired Water Heater. Circuits serving gas-fired swimming pool and spa water heaters operating at voltages above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

Part III. Storable Pools, Storable Spas, and Storable Hot Tubs

  1. General. Electrical installations at storable pools, stor‐ able spas, or storable hot tubs shall comply with the provisions of Part I and Part III of this article.
  2. Pumps. A cord-connected pool filter pump shall incorporate an approved system of double insulation or its equivalent and shall be provided with means for grounding only the internal and nonaccessible non–current-carrying metal parts of the appliance.The means for grounding shall be an equipment grounding conductor run with the power-supply conductors in the flexible cord that is properly terminated in a grounding-type attach‐ ment plug having a fixed grounding contact member.Cord-connected pool filter pumps shall be provided with a ground-fault circuit interrupter that is an integral part of the attachment plug or located in the power supply cord within 300 mm (12 in.) of the attachment plug.
  3. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters Required. All elec‐ trical equipment, including power-supply cords, used with stor‐ able pools shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.

All 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles located within

6.0 m (20 ft) of the inside walls of a storable pool, storable spa, or storable hot tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter. In determining these dimensions, the distance to be measured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent barrier.

Informational Note: For flexible cord usage, see 400.4.

  1. Luminaires. An underwater luminaire, if installed, shall be installed in or on the wall of the storable pool, storable spa, or storable hot tub. It shall comply with either 680.33(A) or (B).
    1. Within the Low Voltage Contact Limit. A luminaire shall be part of a cord-and plug connected lighting assembly. This assembly shall be listed as an assembly for the purpose and have the following construction features:
      1. No exposed metal parts
      2. A luminaire lamp that is suitable for use at the supplied voltage
      3. An impact-resistant polymeric lens, luminaire body, and transformer enclosure
      4. A transformer or power supply meeting the requirements of 680.23(A)(2) with a primary rating not over 150 V
    2. Over the Low Voltage Contact Limit But Not over 150 Volts. A lighting assembly without a transformer or power supply and with the luminaire lamp(s) operating at not over
    150 volts shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected where the assembly is listed as an assembly for the purpose. The installation shall comply with 680.23(A)(5), and the assem‐ bly shall have the following construction features:
    1. No exposed metal parts
    2. An impact-resistant polymeric lens and luminaire body
    3. A ground-fault circuit interrupter with open neutral conductor protection as an integral part of the assembly
    4. The luminaire lamp permanently connected to the ground-fault circuit interrupter with open-neutral protec‐ tion
    5. Compliance with the requirements of 680.23(A)
  2. Receptacle Locations. Receptacles shall not be located less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a storable pool, storable spa, or storable hot tub. In determining these dimen‐ sions, the distance to be measured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent barrier.

Part IV. Spas and Hot Tubs

  1. General. Electrical installations at spas and hot tubs shall comply with the provisions of Part I and Part IV of this article.
  2. Emergency Switch for Spas and Hot Tubs. A clearly labeled emergency shutoff or control switch for the purpose of stopping the motor(s) that provides power to the recirculation system and jet system shall be installed at a point readily acces‐ sible to the users and not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) away, adjacent to, and within sight of the spa or hot tub. This requirement shall not apply to one-family dwellings.
  3. Outdoor Installations. A spa or hot tub installed outdoors shall comply with the provisions of Parts I and II of this article, except as permitted in 680.42(A) and (B), that would otherwise apply to pools installed outdoors.
    1. Flexible Connections. Listed packaged spa or hot tub equipment assemblies or self-contained spas or hot tubs utiliz‐ ing a factory-installed or assembled control panel or panel‐ board shall be permitted to use flexible connections as covered in 680.42(A)(1) and (A)(2).
      1. Flexible Conduit. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted.
      2. Cord-and-Plug Connections. Cord-and-plug connections with a cord not longer than 4.6 m (15 ft) shall be permitted where protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    2. Bonding. Bonding by metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame or base shall be permitted. The metal bands or hoops used to secure wooden staves shall not be required to be bonded as required in 680.26.
      Equipotential bonding of perimeter surfaces in accordance with 680.26(B)(2) shall not be required to be provided for spas and hot tubs where all of the following conditions apply:
      1. The spa or hot tub shall be listed, labeled, and identified as a self-contained spa for aboveground use.
      2. The spa or hot tub shall not be identified as suitable only for indoor use.
      3. The installation shall be in accordance with the manufac‐ turer’s instructions and shall be located on or above grade.
      4. The top rim of the spa or hot tub shall be at least 710 mm (28 in.) above all perimeter surfaces that are within 760 mm (30 in.), measured horizontally from the spa or hot tub. The height of nonconductive external steps for entry to or exit from the self-contained spa shall not be used to reduce or increase this rim height measurement.Informational Note: For information regarding listing require‐ ments for self-contained spas and hot tubs, see ANSI/UL 1563– 2010, Standard for Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment.
    3. Interior Wiring to Outdoor Installations. In the interior of a dwelling unit or in the interior of another building or structure associated with a dwelling unit, any of the wiring methods recognized or permitted in Chapter 3 of this Code shall be permitted to be used for the connection to motor disconnecting means and the motor, heating, and control loads that are part of a self-contained spa or hot tub or a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly. Wiring to an underwater luminaire shall comply with 680.23 or 680.33.
    Informational Note: See 680.25 for feeders.
  4. Indoor Installations. A spa or hot tub installed indoors shall comply with the provisions of Parts I and II of this article except as modified by this section and shall be connected by the wiring methods of Chapter 3.

Exception No. 1: Listed spa and hot tub packaged units rated 20 amperes or less shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected to facilitate the removal or disconnection of the unit for maintenance and repair.

Exception No. 2: The equipotential bonding requirements for perimeter surfaces in 680.26(B)(2) shall not apply to a listed self-contained spa or hot tub installed above a finished floor.

Exception No. 3: For a dwelling unit(s) only, where a listed spa or hot tub is installed indoors, the wiring method requirements of 680.42(C) shall also apply.

  1. Receptacles. At least one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not exceeding 3.0 m (10 ft) from, the inside wall of the spa or hot tub.
    1. Location. Receptacles shall be located at least 1.83 m (6 ft) measured horizontally from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub.
    2. Protection, General. Receptacles rated 125 volts and 30 amperes or less and located within 3.0 m (10 ft) of the inside walls of a spa or hot tub shall be protected by a ground- fault circuit interrupter.
    3. Protection, Spa or Hot Tub Supply Receptacle. Recepta‐ cles that provide power for a spa or hot tub shall be ground- fault circuit-interrupter protected.
    4. Measurements. In determining the dimensions in this section addressing receptacle spacings, the distance to be meas‐ ured shall be the shortest path the supply cord of an appliance connected to the receptacle would follow without piercing a floor, wall, ceiling, doorway with hinged or sliding door, window opening, or other effective permanent barrier.
  2. Installation of Luminaires, Lighting Outlets, and Ceiling- Suspended (Paddle) Fans.
    1. Elevation. Luminaires, except as covered in 680.43(B)(2), lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans located over the spa or hot tub or within 1.5 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub shall comply with the clearances specified in (B)(1)(a), (B)(1)(b), and (B)(1)(c) above the maximum water level.
      1. Without GFCI. Where no GFCI protection is provi‐ ded, the mounting height shall be not less than 3.7 m (12 ft).
      2. With GFCI. Where GFCI protection is provided, the mounting height shall be permitted to be not less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.).
      3. Below 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.). Luminaires meeting the requirements of item (1) or (2) and protected by a ground- fault circuit interrupter shall be permitted to be installed less than 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in.) over a spa or hot tub:
        1. Recessed luminaires with a glass or plastic lens, nonmetal‐ lic or electrically isolated metal trim, and suitable for use in damp locations
        2. Surface-mounted luminaires with a glass or plastic globe, a nonmetallic body, or a metallic body isolated from contact, and suitable for use in damp locations
        (2) Underwater Applications. Underwater luminaires shall comply with the provisions of 680.23 or 680.33.
  3. Switches. Switches shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft), measured horizontally, from the inside walls of the spa or hot tub.
  4. Bonding. The following parts shall be bonded together:
    1. All metal fittings within or attached to the spa or hot tub structure.
    2. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the spa or hot tub water circulating system, including pump motors, unless part of a listed, labeled, and identified self- contained spa or hot tub.
    3. Metal raceway and metal piping that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that are not separated from the spa or hot tub by a permanent barrier.
    4. All metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the spa or hot tub and that are not separated from the spa or hot tub area by a permanent barrier.Exception: Small conductive surfaces not likely to become energized, such as air and water jets and drain fittings, where not connected to metallic piping, towel bars, mirror frames, and similar nonelectrical equipment, shall not be required to be bonded.
    5. Electrical devices and controls that are not associated with the spas or hot tubs and that are located less than
    1.5 m (5 ft) from such units; otherwise, they shall be bonded to the spa or hot tub system.
  5. Methods of Bonding. All metal parts associated with the spa or hot tub shall be bonded by any of the following meth‐ ods:
    1. The interconnection of threaded metal piping and fittings
    2. Metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame or base
    3. The provisions of a solid copper bonding jumper, insula‐ ted, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG
  6. Grounding. The following equipment shall be grounded:
    1. All electrical equipment located within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the spa or hot tub
    2. All electrical equipment associated with the circulating system of the spa or hot tub
  7. Underwater Audio Equipment. Underwater audio equip‐ ment shall comply with the provisions of Part II of this article.

680.44 Protection. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained spa or hot tub, a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly, or a field- assembled spa or hot tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

  1. Listed Units. If so marked, a listed, labeled, and identified self-contained unit or a listed, labeled, and identified packaged equipment assembly that includes integral ground-fault circuit- interrupter protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so forth) shall be permitted without additional GFCI protection.
  2. Other Units. A field-assembled spa or hot tub rated 3 phase or rated over 250 volts or with a heater load of more than 50 amperes shall not require the supply to be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

Informational Note: See 680.2 for definitions of self-contained spa or hot tub and for packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly.

Part V. Fountains

  1. General. The provisions of Part I and Part V of this article shall apply to all permanently installed fountains as defined in 680.2. Fountains that have water common to a pool shall additionally comply with the requirements in Part II of this article. Part V does not cover self-contained, portable foun‐ tains. Portable fountains shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 422.
  2. Luminaires, Submersible Pumps, and Other Submersi‐ ble Equipment.
    1. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. Luminaires, submersi‐ ble pumps, and other submersible equipment, unless listed for operation at low voltage contact limit or less and supplied by a transformer or power supply that complies with 680.23(A)(2), shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    2. Operating Voltage. No luminaires shall be installed for operation on supply circuits over 150 volts between conductors. Submersible pumps and other submersible equipment shall operate at 300 volts or less between conductors.
    3. Luminaire Lenses. Luminaires shall be installed with the top of the luminaire lens below the normal water level of the fountain unless listed for above-water locations. A luminaire facing upward shall comply with either (1) or (2):
      1. Have the lens guarded to prevent contact by any person
      2. Be listed for use without a guard
    4. Overheating Protection. Electrical equipment that depends on submersion for safe operation shall be protected against overheating by a low-water cutoff or other approved means when not submerged.
    5. Wiring. Equipment shall be equipped with provisions for threaded conduit entries or be provided with a suitable flexible cord. The maximum length of each exposed cord in the foun‐ tain shall be limited to 3.0 m (10 ft). Cords extending beyond the fountain perimeter shall be enclosed in approved wiring enclosures. Metal parts of equipment in contact with water shall be of brass or other approved corrosion-resistant metal.
    6. Servicing. All equipment shall be removable from the water for relamping or normal maintenance. Luminaires shall not be permanently embedded into the fountain structure such that the water level must be reduced or the fountain drained for relamping, maintenance, or inspection.
    7. Stability. Equipment shall be inherently stable or be securely fastened in place.
  3. Junction Boxes and Other Enclosures.
    1. General. Junction boxes and other enclosures used for other than underwater installation shall comply with 680.24.
    2. Underwater Junction Boxes and Other Underwater Enclo‐ sures. Junction boxes and other underwater enclosures shall meet the requirements of 680.52(B)(1) and (B)(2).
      1. Construction.
        1. Underwater enclosures shall be equipped with provi‐ sions for threaded conduit entries or compression glands or seals for cord entry.
        2. Underwater enclosures shall be submersible and made of copper, brass, or other approved corrosion-resistant material.
      2. Installation. Underwater enclosure installations shall comply with (a) and (b).
        1. Underwater enclosures shall be filled with an approved potting compound to prevent the entry of moisture.
        2. Underwater enclosures shall be firmly attached to the supports or directly to the fountain surface and bonded as required. Where the junction box is supported only by conduits in accordance with 314.23(E) and (F), the conduits shall be of copper, brass, stainless steel, or other approved corrosion-resistant metal. Where the box is fed by nonmetallic conduit, it shall have additional supports and fasteners of copper, brass, or other approved corrosion-resistant material.
  4. Bonding. All metal piping systems associated with the fountain shall be bonded to the equipment grounding conduc‐ tor of the branch circuit supplying the fountain.Informational Note: See 250.122 for sizing of these conductors.
  5. Grounding. The following equipment shall be groun‐ ded:
    1. Other than listed low-voltage luminaires not requiring grounding, all electrical equipment located within the fountain or within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the fountain
    2. All electrical equipment associated with the recirculating system of the fountain
    3. Panelboards that are not part of the service equipment and that supply any electrical equipment associated with the fountain
  6. Methods of Grounding.
    1. Applied Provisions. The provisions of 680.21(A), 680.23(B)(3), 680.23(F)(1) and (F)(2), 680.24(F), and 680.25 shall apply.
    2. Supplied by a Flexible Cord. Electrical equipment that is supplied by a flexible cord shall have all exposed non–current- carrying metal parts grounded by an insulated copper equip‐ ment grounding conductor that is an integral part of this cord. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to an equipment grounding terminal in the supply junction box, transformer enclosure, power supply enclosure, or other enclo‐ sure.
  7. Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment.
    1. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter. All electrical equip‐ ment, including power-supply cords, shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters.
    2. Cord Type. Flexible cord immersed in or exposed to water shall be of a type for extra-hard usage, as designated in Table 400.4, and shall be a listed type with a “W” suffix.
    3. Sealing. The end of the flexible cord jacket and the flexi‐ ble cord conductor termination within equipment shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable potting compound to prevent the entry of water into the equipment through the cord or its conductors. In addition, the ground connection within equipment shall be similarly treated to protect such connections from the deteriorating effect of water that may enter into the equipment.
    4. Terminations. Connections with flexible cord shall be permanent, except that grounding-type attachment plugs and receptacles shall be permitted to facilitate removal or discon‐ nection for maintenance, repair, or storage of fixed or station‐ ary equipment not located in any water-containing part of a fountain.
  8. Signs.
    1. General. This section covers electric signs installed within a fountain or within 3.0 m (10 ft) of the fountain edge.
    2. Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Branch circuits or feeders supplying the sign shall have ground- fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.
    3. Location.
      1. Fixed or Stationary. A fixed or stationary electric sign installed within a fountain shall be not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) inside the fountain measured from the outside edges of the fountain.
      2. Portable. A portable electric sign shall not be placed within a pool or fountain or within 1.5 m (5 ft) measured hori‐ zontally from the inside walls of the fountain.
    4. Disconnect. A sign shall have a local disconnecting means in accordance with 600.6 and 680.13.
    5. Bonding and Grounding. A sign shall be grounded and bonded in accordance with 600.7.
  9. GFCI Protection for Adjacent Receptacle Outlets. All 15- or 20-ampere, single-phase 125-volt through 250-volt recep‐ tacles located within 6.0 m (20 ft) of a fountain edge shall be provided with GFCI protection.

Part VI. Pools and Tubs for Therapeutic Use

  1. General. The provisions of Part I and Part VI of this article shall apply to pools and tubs for therapeutic use in health care facilities, gymnasiums, athletic training rooms, and similar areas. Portable therapeutic appliances shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 422.Informational Note: See 517.2 for definition of health care facilities.
  2. Permanently Installed Therapeutic Pools. Therapeutic pools that are constructed in the ground, on the ground, or in a building in such a manner that the pool cannot be readily disassembled shall comply with Parts I and II of this article.Exception: The limitations of 680.22(B)(1) through (C)(4) shall not apply where all luminaires are of the totally enclosed type.
  3. Therapeutic Tubs (Hydrotherapeutic Tanks). Thera‐ peutic tubs, used for the submersion and treatment of patients, that are not easily moved from one place to another in normal use or that are fastened or otherwise secured at a specific loca‐ tion, including associated piping systems, shall comply with Part VI.
  1. Protection. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic tank, a packaged therapeutic tub or hydro‐ therapeutic tank, or a field-assembled therapeutic tub or hydro‐ therapeutic tank shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    1. Listed Units. If so marked, a listed, labeled, and identified self-contained unit or a listed, labeled, and identified packaged equipment assembly that includes integral ground-fault circuit- interrupter protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so forth) shall be permitted without additional GFCI protection.
    2. Other Units. A therapeutic tub or hydrotherapeutic tank rated 3 phase or rated over 250 volts or with a heater load of more than 50 amperes shall not require the supply to be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
  2. Bonding. The following parts shall be bonded together:
    1. All metal fittings within or attached to the tub structure
    2. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the tub water circulating system, including pump motors
    3. Metal-sheathed cables and raceways and metal piping that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the tub and not separated from the tub by a permanent barrier
    4. All metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the tub and not separated from the tub area by a permanent barrier
    5. Electrical devices and controls that are not associated with the therapeutic tubs and located within 1.5 m (5 ft) from such units.
    Exception: Small conductive surfaces not likely to become energized, such as air and water jets and drain fittings not connected to metallic piping, and towel bars, mirror frames, and similar nonelectrical equip‐ ment not connected to metal framing, shall not be required to be bonded.
  3. Methods of Bonding. All metal parts required to be bonded by this section shall be bonded by any of the following methods:
    1. The interconnection of threaded metal piping and fittings
    2. Metal-to-metal mounting on a common frame or base
    3. Connections by suitable metal clamps
    4. By the provisions of a solid copper bonding jumper, insu‐ lated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG
  4. Grounding.
    1. Fixed or Stationary Equipment. The equipment specified in (a) and (b) shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
      1. Location. All electrical equipment located within1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside wall of the tub shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
      2. Circulation System. All electrical equipment associated with the circulating system of the tub shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.
    2. Portable Equipment. Portable therapeutic appliances shall meet the grounding requirements in 250.114.
  5. Receptacles. All receptacles within 1.83 m (6 ft) of a ther‐ apeutic tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit inter‐ rupter.
  6. Luminaires. All luminaires used in therapeutic tub areas shall be of the totally enclosed type.

Part VII. Hydromassage Bathtubs

  1. General. Hydromassage bathtubs as defined in 680.2 shall comply with Part VII of this article. They shall not be required to comply with other parts of this article.
  2. Protection. Hydromassage bathtubs and their associ‐ ated electrical components shall be on an individual branch circuit(s) and protected by a readily accessible ground-fault circuit interrupter. All 125-volt, single-phase receptacles not exceeding 30 amperes and located within 1.83 m (6 ft) meas‐ ured horizontally of the inside walls of a hydromassage tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
  3. Other Electrical Equipment. Luminaires, switches, receptacles, and other electrical equipment located in the same room, and not directly associated with a hydromassage bathtub, shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of Chap‐ ters 1 through 4 in this Code covering the installation of that equipment in bathrooms.
  4. Accessibility. Hydromassage bathtub electrical equip‐ ment shall be accessible without damaging the building struc‐ ture or building finish. Where the hydromassage bathtub is cord- and plug-connected with the supply receptacle accessible only through a service access opening, the receptacle shall be installed so that its face is within direct view and not more than 300 mm (1 ft) of the opening.
  5. Bonding.
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  1. General. The following parts shall be bonded together:
    1. All metal fittings within or attached to the tub structure that are in contact with the circulating water
    2. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with the tub water circulating system, including pump and blower motors
    3. Metal-sheathed cables and raceways and metal piping that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the tub and not separated from the tub by a permanent barrier
    4. All exposed metal surfaces that are within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the inside walls of the tub and not separated from the tub area by a permanent barrier
    5. Electrical devices and controls that are not associated with the hydromassage tubs and that are located within
    1.5 m (5 ft) from such unitsException No. 1: Small conductive surfaces not likely to become ener‐ gized, such as air and water jets, supply valve assemblies, and drain fittings not connected to metallic piping, and towel bars, mirror frames, and similar nonelectrical equipment not connected to metal framing shall not be required to be bonded.Exception No. 2: Double-insulated motors and blowers shall not be bonded.
  2. All metal parts required to be bonded by this section shall be bonded together using a solid copper bonding jumper, insu‐ lated, covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG. The bonding jumper(s) shall be required for equipotential bonding in the area of the hydromassage bathtub and shall not be required to be extended or attached to any remote panelboard, service equipment, or any electrode. In all installations a bonding jumper long enough to terminate on a replacement non- double-insulated pump or blower motor shall be provided and shall be terminated to the equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit of the motor when a double-insulated circu‐ lating pump or blower motor is used.
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Part VIII. Electrically Powered Pool Lifts

680.80 General. Electrically powered pool lifts as defined in

680.2 shall comply with Part VIII of this article. They shall not be required to comply with other parts of this article.

  1. Equipment Approval. Lifts shall be listed, labeled, and identified for swimming pool and spa use.Exception No. 1: Lifts where the battery is removed for charging at another location and the battery is rated less than or equal to the low- voltage contact limit shall not be required to be listed or labeled.Exception No. 2: Solar-operated or solar-recharged lifts where the solar panel is attached to the lift and the battery is rated less than or equal to 24 volts shall not be required to be listed or labeled.Exception No. 3: Lifts that are supplied from a source not exceeding the low-voltage contact limit and supplied by listed transformers or power supplies that comply with 680.23(A)(2) shall not be required to be listed or labeled.
  2. Protection. Pool lifts connected to premises wiring and operated above the low-voltage contact limit shall be provi‐ ded with GFCI protection for personnel.
  3. Bonding. Lifts shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B)(5) and (B)(7).
  4. Switching Devices. Switches and switching devices that are operated above the low-voltage contact limit shall comply with 680.22(C).
  5. Nameplate Marking. Electrically powered pool lifts shall be provided with a nameplate giving the identifying name and model and rating in volts and amperes, or in volts and

682.1 ARTICLE 682 — NATURAL AND ARTIFICIALLY MADE BODIES OF WATER

watts. If the lift is to be used on a specific frequency or frequen‐ cies, it shall be so marked. Battery-powered pool lifts shall indi‐ cate the type reference of the battery or battery pack to be used. Batteries and battery packs shall be provided with a battery type reference and voltage rating.

Exception: Nameplate ratings for battery-powered pool lifts shall only need to provide a rating in volts in addition to the identifying name and model.

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