[dvpvic]

I got an above ground permanent pool. 4 steel uprights that are really close to each other (circled in red) and then a plastic cap (with some steel pieces) covered. Nothing exposed and in order to follow with first section of 6280.26 B (2) I don’t have “minimum 4 points uniform spaced around perimeter of pool” to bond to. Then alternate means states the following;

680.26 B (2)
(b) 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 conductor 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.
(3) Metallic Components. All metallic parts of the pool structure, including reinforcing metal not addressed in 680.26(B)(1) (a), shall be bonded. Where reinforcing steel is encapsulated with a non-conductive compound, the reinforcing steel shall not be required to be bonded.

So does that mean just installed around perimeter bonded to motor lug and skimmer plate and that will suffice? Above ground pools are the most confusing and to me.

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[ohm it hertz]

(3) Only listed splices shall be permitted.

Do everything the code mentions above, but avoid any splices, even if they're acceptable. Just maintain continuous conductor w/o splices and use barrel lugs, like this:

So does that mean just installed around perimeter bonded to motor lug and skimmer plate and that will suffice? Above ground pools are the most confusing and to me.

Yes but make the attempt to secure it every 4 equal points to satisfy the code regardless of metallic or nonmetallic contact. I've heard of electricians having to remove the plastic at the bases and try to find metal to bond to, but I haven't been required to do this. That's what I've been instructed to do in my area. AHJ has final say.

 

[dvpvic]

Do everything the code mentions above, but avoid any splices, even if they're acceptable. Just maintain continuous conductor w/o splices and use barrel lugs, like this:

View attachment 174534



Yes but make the attempt to secure it every 4 equal points to satisfy the code regardless of metallic or nonmetallic contact. I've heard of electricians having to remove the plastic at the bases and try to find metal to bond to, but I haven't been required to do this. That's what I've been instructed to do in my area. AHJ has final say.

Yeah my AHJ just said to do perimeter ring and bond motor and throw skimmer plate in. Appreciate your input


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[macmikeman]

Just to liven things up a bit , I'll ask a question. How about driving 4 rods around that pool structure , and then run the #8 continuous to all the way around hitting each rod on the way, and then off to the pump and whatever else you will need to bond such as the pool water , ladder, etc, etc..................... After all , ground rods used to be seemingly the most important item ever invented and all the inspectors in the past made a bee line straight to the rod at the service to make sure I had it all done properly. So now then, if it was so absolutely necessary to all living things in the past, what about adding 4 surrounding the pool to make that thar soil equally potent as the pool water?

 

[macmikeman]

Trouble maker.........

 

[ohm it hertz]

My luck I'd hit bedrock at 3' and have to lay the rods in a mote around the pool.

 

[dvpvic]

Just to liven things up a bit , I'll ask a question. How about driving 4 rods around that pool structure , and then run the #8 continuous to all the way around hitting each rod on the way, and then off to the pump and whatever else you will need to bond such as the pool water , ladder, etc, etc..................... After all , ground rods used to be seemingly the most important item ever invented and all the inspectors in the past made a bee line straight to the rod at the service to make sure I had it all done properly. So now then, if it was so absolutely necessary to all living things in the past, what about adding 4 surrounding the pool to make that thar soil equally potent as the pool water?

680 doesn’t mention driving rods though.


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[macmikeman]

680 doesn’t mention driving rods though.


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Of course it doesn't, that would probably make the service disconnect get jealous.

 

[dvpvic]

Of course it doesn't, that would probably make the service disconnect get jealous.

It probably would lol


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[kb1jb1]

Technically you have to nut and bolt every upright and use the listed direct bury / corrosion resistant lugs and hardware. You also need to pick up the top coping if made out of metal and sometimes the side wall at the seam. The NEC says all metal components must be bonded and since most of these pools have slip fitted uprights we are suppose to pick up everything. Stainless steel and no tech screws or self tappers because you need to catch two threads. In reality most inspectors say just to pick up several uprights with the equipotential bonding ring around the pool and hit the motor. Make sure the pump motor is not for a storage pool. This is a judgment call by the AHJ like stapling cables in an attic.

 

[dvpvic]

Technically you have to nut and bolt every upright and use the listed direct bury / corrosion resistant lugs and hardware. You also need to pick up the top coping if made out of metal and sometimes the side wall at the seam. The NEC says all metal components must be bonded and since most of these pools have slip fitted uprights we are suppose to pick up everything. Stainless steel and no tech screws or self tappers because you need to catch two threads. In reality most inspectors say just to pick up several uprights with the equipotential bonding ring around the pool and hit the motor. Make sure the pump motor is not for a storage pool. This is a judgment call by the AHJ like stapling cables in an attic.

Makes sense thank you. I’m realizing that above ground pools are extremely difficult to bond/ground etc and navigating the code on them isn’t easy either. 680 is pretty vague on above ground pools. This particular pool has small steel pieces here and there, most uprights are plastic. You could spend a week trying to bond everything realistically. My AHJ just said to put the perimeter in, bond pump and water (in skimmer). I see what you did there there (staples in attic)


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[kb1jb1]

Makes sense thank you. I’m realizing that above ground pools are extremely difficult to bond/ground etc and navigating the code on them isn’t easy either. 680 is pretty vague on above ground pools. This particular pool has small steel pieces here and there, most uprights are plastic. You could spend a week trying to bond everything realistically. My AHJ just said to put the perimeter in, bond pump and water (in skimmer). I see what you did there there (staples in attic)


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I agree,, above ground pools are sketchy. Add to that many big box stores and online retailers are selling questionable above ground pools. Is it store able, permanent, semi inground. They sell things that are in a world of their own. A store able pool semi buried is no longer store able and you cannot use a store able pool filter. Encapsulated steel is epoxy coated rebar or similar steel and not painted. A lot of AHJ calls to be made at times.