Bonding AGP - is a full loop required?

Pauls234 · May 21, 2022

Despite reasonable understanding of electricity and browsing this forum for a decade, I still can't wrap my head around bonding, but whatever, no need to understand as long as it works.

I see no evidence that previous owners bonded the pool so want to get that done.

2 questions:

1. Is the copper wire required to go all the way around the pool or could I make a "c" where it loops around about 75% of it? I'm not sure how possible it is to dig under the deck (see avatar) where bottom of deck is about 2 feet above ground.

2. How DIYable is this? Just digging and connecting all equipment correctly? I'd rather hire a pro, but not always easy to find electricians with pool experience around here that will also show up.

Thx
Paul

AK- · May 21, 2022

Pauls234 said:
1. Is the copper wire required to go all the way around the pool or could I make a "c" where it loops around about 75% of it? I'm not sure how possible it is to dig under the deck (see avatar) where bottom of deck is about 2 feet above ground.

Yes. Bare copper 8 AWG all around the pool connecting to at least 4 places to the metal frame (if present). Unless you have concrete under the deck you just need to be able to get in awkward position…

Pauls234 said:
2. How DIYable is this? Just digging and connecting all equipment correctly? I'd rather hire a pro, but not always easy to find electricians with pool experience around here that will also show up.

As long as you consider the digging part of it DIYable then it is absolutely DIYable.

Pauls234 · May 21, 2022

It is the digging under the deck part that I'd like to avoid, so I'll see if I can find someone willing to do that.

And this is where I get into not being able to wrap my head around bonding.... so why is the full loop needed if I'm connected to my 4 places? Seems like it's all connected so wouldn't matter if the copper wire is in a circle or a squiggly line but I'm sure I'm missing something.

Thx!

ajw22 · May 21, 2022

The requirement for a “circle” is not due to bonding the pool.

It is the requirement for equipotential perimeter bonding.

If the area cannot be touched by someone while in the water it does not need to be covered by the bonding wire.

I think you are fine with your C configuration.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pauls234 · May 23, 2022

ajw22 said:
The requirement for a “circle” is not due to bonding the pool.

It is the requirement for equipotential perimeter bonding.

If the area cannot be touched by someone while in the water it does not need to be covered by the bonding wire.

I think you are fine with your C configuration.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

View attachment 413402

Very interesting, thanks Allen, and appreciate the specific code section as well.

This is also why bonding continues to vex me. I don't at all doubt you of course, but I just cannot understand how the existence of a copper wire 4-6" underground protects a person if they touch water with voltage going through it, but I am very happy that it works that way.

ajw22 · May 23, 2022

Pauls234 said:
I just cannot understand how the existence of a copper wire 4-6" underground protects a person if they touch water with voltage going through it, but I am very happy that it works that way.

Voltage flowing through your body is what hurts you. If no voltage flows then it cannot hurt you. Voltage flows from a higher voltage surface to a lower voltage surface. If all the surfaces you are touching are at the same voltage level then there will be no voltage flowing and you will not be shocked.

The copper bonding wire keeps all the surfaces it is contact with at the same voltage or potential. Voltage can be present and you will not feel it or be shocked.

kellyfair · May 24, 2022

We did it ourselves (last year, couldn’t do it now with my back issues). It’s definitely DIY-able.