In the middle of a new build. I have an Intellibrite 5G color led light. My electrician installed the light niche and ran conduit back and stubbed up right where the subpanel will sit. He says the light cord can run directly into the panel and all connections can be made there. Distance from pool to panel is about 25 feet and there is a 50 foot cord so plenty of wire to do this but don't want a problem with inspection. I was reading 680.23 and 680.24 of NEC code and it says to run to junction box or other enclosure. Does the subpanel count as a listed enclosure?
120VAC Pool Light to Subpanel
- Thread starter aaronc1976
- Start date
A,
It has to go to something that is well above the water level so that water can't back flow out of the pool and into the electrical connection. It does not have to go to a special junction box.
The light switch or junction box will serve the purpose of the "junction box"...
How do you plan to turn the light on and off???
Thanks,
Jim R.
It has to go to something that is well above the water level so that water can't back flow out of the pool and into the electrical connection. It does not have to go to a special junction box.
The light switch or junction box will serve the purpose of the "junction box"...
How do you plan to turn the light on and off???
Thanks,
Jim R.
It is going to be wired into the pool automation system, so into a high voltage relay which is in the subpanel box which should basically act as a switch. It will be on a dedicated GFCI breaker
Aaron,
Sounds like a perfect plan to me..
My light is wired right into my EasyTouch, no junction box involved. I just have a plain white incandescent light.. If your light is a 120 volt LED light then it gets wired into the automation.. If your light is a 12 volt LED light, then there needs to be a transformer between the light and the automation.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Sounds like a perfect plan to me..
My light is wired right into my EasyTouch, no junction box involved. I just have a plain white incandescent light.. If your light is a 120 volt LED light then it gets wired into the automation.. If your light is a 12 volt LED light, then there needs to be a transformer between the light and the automation.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,367
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The NEC wants there to be an air gap between the conduit running to a pool light and the conduit running to the subpanel.
You can run the conduit and light wire directly from the pool into the subpanel but that does not conform to the NEC.
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Excellent, thanks. It's 120 volt LED so the plan to just wire directly to automation, just wanted to make sure local inspector is not going to have an issue.
They might.
It's best to ask the local inspector to be sure.
The code is not crystal clear.
Some inspectors might think that it is fine and others might disagree.
The code calls for a junction box or other enclosure.
The junction box or other enclosure must be listed, labeled, and identified as a swimming pool junction box.
If you are using a Jandy, Pentair or Hayward box, then they are specifically identified as being made for pool and or spa electrical.
However, you should ask the automation box manufacturer if the box is considered to be suitable for direct wiring to pool and spa lights.
I would ask Pentair and the local inspector if it is acceptable to wire the light directly to the box.
The box needs to be certified as being suitable for use as a pool light junction box.
I think that some inspectors would be fine with it and some might not be ok with it.
The box needs to be certified as being suitable for use as a pool light junction box.
I think that some inspectors would be fine with it and some might not be ok with it.
I suspect that if they have done other pools, then they would know what is acceptable to a local inspector.
So, it is probably ok.
I think that I would prefer to use and external junction box, but I can't really give you a good reason, it's just a personal preference.
