Pool inspection- Electrical

[Brandon Penland]

I’m hoping somebody can help me out. I am actually selling my house with my old pool and purchasing another house that has a much newer pool. Moving’ up!

In the picture, attached, is one item on my inspection that I was most concerned about. It says that the wiring from the breaker is the wrong size wire, but also appears to be a larger wire rather than a smaller one, at least the way I am reading it. Does anyone know if this is a major issue I should be concerned about?

I also attached the full inspection. If anybody has some free time. I would love some feedback. Everything else seems pretty manageable to repair. I am guessing the light is probably just burn out. The leaky valves on the waterfall is just some simple PVC work I am assuming.

Love to hear anyone’s thoughts. I always appreciate the help.

 

[ajw22]

14 gauge wire is smaller then 12 gauge wire and only good for a 15 amp circuit. If the circuit requires a 20 amp breaker then the wire needs to be 12 gauge.

Having a too small wire means the wire can catch on fire before the circuit breaker will trip if there is a short circuit.

 

[HermanTX]

Wire size is measured by gauge. The small the number the thicker the wire (larger diameter). You need to have at least 12 gauge wire for a 20amp circuit. It appears it could be easy to change out the wire from the CB to the control unit if that is where the issue is.

 

[JamesW]

It says that the wiring from the breaker is the wrong size wire, but also appears to be a larger wire rather than a smaller one, at least the way I am reading it.

It is confusing, but #14 is smaller than #10 or #12 AWG wire.



* Small Conductors.
Unless specifically permitted in 240.4(E) through (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed 15 amperes for 14 AWG, 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG copper; or 15 amperes for 12 AWG and 25 amperes for 10 AWG aluminum and copper-clad aluminum after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.

 

[JamesW]

Where are the breakers?

What does each breaker go to?

 

[JamesW]

In the picture, attached, is one item on my inspection that I was most concerned about.

Is the Inspection for the new property that you are buying or the old property that you are selling?

It looks like you have a subpanel that you can add breakers to.

You should also be able to add a salt cell since you have a ProLogic Panel with a built in power supply.

 

[Brandon Penland]

Thanks, James! It is for the new house. Not my old house. I actually am under contract but will not get the property for another 30+ days. This is just what showed up on the inspection. The salt cells interesting. I’ve always just had a chlorinated pool.

 

[Brandon Penland]

Where are the breakers?

What does each breaker go to?

View attachment 582485

Till I get to the property, I’m not sure but I can follow up with you. The inspection was just for the pool. The builder inspector will probably have a lot more details and pictures where I may be able to locate the breaker panel.

 

[JamesW]

Does anyone know if this is a major issue I should be concerned about?

You can probably replace the wire if necessary.

As far as I can tell, it is probably not a major cost to replace the wires.

Maybe have an electrician review and advise.

 

[Brandon Penland]

Sounds good. Thank you. I will get somebody to take a look at it. Just trying to decide if I should contest it in the sale. I appreciate your help.

 

[Brandon Penland]

You can probably replace the wire if necessary.

As far as I can tell, it is probably not a major problem.

Maybe have an electrician review and advise.

Hi James, Looks like the wire size also showed up on the building inspectors report with this pic of the breaker panel. What are your thoughts?

 

[JamesW]

How far from the main panel to the subpanel?

The breakers need to be GFCI for the pump and lights.

Maybe run larger wire and add GFCI breakers at the subpanel.

You will need 2 hot, 1 neutral and one ground.

Main feed wire size and main supply breaker size depend on the total load.

See what an electrician recommends.

 

[Brandon Penland]

I will check the sub panel for a GFI once I get access to house. The main and sun are very far apart. Opposite sides of the house.

I agree that an electrician needs to evaluate. I believe I am going to try to get gauge of wire changed by electrician before moving in unless he recommends otherwise.

 

[Brandon Penland]

*sub (typo)

 

[HermanTX]

I will check the sub panel for a GFI once I get access to house. The main and sun are very far apart. Opposite sides of the house.

I agree that an electrician needs to evaluate. I believe I am going to try to get gauge of wire changed by electrician before moving in unless he recommends otherwise.

Having a licensed electrican evaluate it will be best and can provide you costs to repair.

 

[JamesW]

I will check the sub panel for a GFI once I get access to house.

There are no breakers in the subpanel at this point.

The breakers go in the box and you have to knock out the blanks.

You can probably remove the existing wires and pull in some #8 or larger wire depending on the total load that needs power.

 

[JamesW]

Below shows an example of 4 feed wires (Red Arrows).

2 black Hot.
1 white Neutral.
1 green Ground.

Most likely, you will probably pull out the old wires and pull in 4 new #8 wires and connect the wires to the terminals.

You can probably pull the new wires in using the old wires.

Install the necessary breakers like in the example below.

Install the necessary main breaker in the main house panel for the feed wires.

 

[JamesW]

The new wire size depends on the total load and the conduit size.

Assuming a 3/4" conduit, the maximum wire size is #6, which can be used at 65 amps for 75 degree C rated wires.

The NEC allows certain fill percentages for one, two or more wires.

These percentage guidelines reduce the likelihood of trapping heat and jamming wires and cables during withdrawal.

The NEC conduit fill chart specifies these maximum conduit fill percentages:

Maximum fill for one conductor is 53% of the space in the conduit.

Maximum fill for two conductors is 31%.

Maximum fill for more than two conductors is 40% of the conduit.

 

[JamesW]

 

[JamesW]

The main and subpanel are very far apart.

You also need to keep the voltage drop below 3%.

For example, at 25 amps of load, you can use #8 up to 208 feet.