Grounding a tub. - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

redeyedman · 02-22-2007, 03:15 AM

I need to ground a whirlpool tub and all the plumbing is P.V.C. What should I do?

**Speedy Petey** · 02-22-2007, 06:45 AM

Do you need to ground the tub, or BOND the circulation motor and piping systems? I suspect the latter.

If there is NO metallic piping systems at ALL for this tub, feeders OR circulation, then no bonding is necessary.

Maybe you can give us some more details about this installation?

redeyedman · 02-22-2007, 06:19 PM

Yep, the latter is true and thanks for the help!

**MDShunk** · 02-22-2007, 06:41 PM

Red Eye... just a head's up... some rookie inspectors will ask you to run a wire from the bond lug on that pump motor the whole way back to the panel's ground bar. If this happens to you, respectfully ask them for a code citation, because they won't be able to give you one. The only thing you are required to do (with regard to bonding) is connect the lug on the motor case, the lug on the heat pack case (if it has heat), and attach a water bond clamp on any metal piping. They just want all the metal associated with that tub connected together, like Speedy says.

sparks134 · 09-27-2009, 08:05 PM

if the whirlpool outlet was in pipe, wouldn't you also need a ground wire with it also?

macmikeman · 09-27-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparks134

if the whirlpool outlet was in pipe, wouldn't you also need a ground wire with it also?

Metal. The word pipe could be referring to pvc as well as metal. There is no additional grounding conductor required if the tub is wired with metal conduit bonded by metal to metal all the way from the source. (means tight connections, locknuts, and set screws) . (unless said tub is perhaps located in a patient care area of a medical facility, in that case grab your code book and read everything thru 5 times.)

waco · 09-27-2009, 09:40 PM

I've bonded ever piece of metal (which can be encountered by the user) to the EGC running with the feeds, at the disconnect. That included the brass tailstock (I think it is called) on the drain, the pump, and the control housing.

excellencee · 09-27-2009, 09:49 PM

I wired a house a few years ago that had CPVC pipe for supply lines. The Inspector made me take the copper from the pump motor to the rods since bonding to the pipe was useless. On the final he appoligized. The AHJ determined that the bond needed to go to the faucet since it was brass. I've had other inspectors in other municipalities require the same thing.

sparks134 · 09-27-2009, 11:40 PM

thanks! it wouldnt be a bad idea to put in a equipment grounding conductor with the pipe , extra protection!