Understanding equipotential bonding requirements for pool construction and what inspectors verify.
NEC 680 governs electrical installations in and around pools. The bonding and grounding requirements are specific and strict because water and electricity together are lethal. Here is what the inspector checks.
The purpose of the bonding grid is to ensure that all metallic components in and around the pool are at the same electrical potential. If a fault occurs, current has a defined path back to the source instead of through a person in the water.
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Pool shell reinforcing steel, metal parts of the pool structure, metal fittings within or attached to the pool, equipment ground connections, underwater lighting, metal parts of equipment associated with the pool water circulating system, and any metallic components within 5 feet horizontally of the pool edge.
The bonding conductor must be attached to the light niche lug. Continuity is verified to the equipotential bonding grid. Only listed connectors can be used. This is a separate inspection point because pool lighting is the highest-risk electrical component.
The bonding conductor must be a minimum 8 AWG solid copper. It must be installed in a continuous run without splices except at listed connection points. The inspector traces the conductor path and verifies continuity.
All pool-associated receptacles and lighting circuits require GFCI protection. The inspector demonstrates GFCI operation by pressing the test button and verifying the circuit trips. Non-functional GFCI protection is an immediate fail.
Missing bonding connections at the pool shell rebar. Light niche conductors not properly terminated. Bonding conductor spliced in non-listed locations. GFCI devices that do not trip when tested. These are the items that cause re-inspections.
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