I have tracked down the relevant regulations for equipotential bonding in Australia and to my laymans reading of it, there seem to be some important differences between Australia and the US. I have spoken to an electrician and told him about this and he said if I wanted to do it the American way (slipped a bit of Billy Joel in there whilst no one was looking) in addition to local regs then I should collate the info and let him know what I want, which is fair enough.
I would be grateful if anyone could let me know where there are differences and if the standard is higher in the US for any particular aspect and if I should incorporate it. Thanks
From what I can see they only require the deck to be bonded if it is reinforced, not if pavers are used.
The bonding needs to be earthed?: I am not sure this is the case in the US?
Only one point of contact is required for pool reinforcement.
Bonding conductor is not required to be bare
Here are the Australian wiring rules for equipotential bonding in swimming pools as of 19/01/2011:
5.6.2.6 Swimming and spa pools
The following items shall be equipotentially bonded: (a)The exposed conductive part of any electrical equipment in the classified pool zones. (b)Any exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment that are not separated from live parts by double insulation and that are in contact with the pool water, including water in the circulation or filtering system. Where any of the items described in Item (a) or Item (b) exist, the bonding shall be extended to the following additional items: (i)Any fixed extraneous conductive parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool shell and deck. (ii)Any conductive fittings within or attached to the pool structure, such as pool ladders and diving boards
iii)Any fixed conductive material within arm’s reach of the pool edge, such as conductive fences, lamp standards and pipework. The bonding conductor shall be terminated or connected by any of the means permitted by Clause 3.7. In addition, where the connection may be subjected to the deteriorating effect of the pool water, it shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable compound. An equipotential bonding conductor, in accordance with Clause 5.6.3, shall be connected between the bonded parts and the earthing conductor associated with each circuit supplying the pool or spa, or the earthing bar at the switchboard at which the circuit originates.
NOTES: 1 Connections to the conductive reinforcement of the pool will generally be subject to the effects of water during the construction phase and to subsequent dampness. 2Where electrical appliances and luminaires are supplied as a separated circuit in accordance with Clause 7.4, all conductive parts of such electrical equipment are deemed to be separated from live parts by double insulation. 3 Conductive tie-wires used during construction of reinforced concrete pools are considered to be an adequate electrical bond between the conductive reinforcing components. Provided that the reinforcement is satisfactorily electrically connected together, one point of connection of the bonding conductor to the reinforcement is satisfactory where bonding is required by Item (i). 4 Fixed conductive parts and fittings that are not part of electrical equipment and that are not more than 100 mm in any dimension need not be bonded. 5 Underwater luminaire bezels should be made of plastics and any associated fixing screws be insulated or of insulating material
5.6.3 Bonding conductors
5.6.3.1 General The selection and installation requirements for equipotential bonding conductors shall be in accordance with this Standard for protective earthing conductors. Exception: The size of an equipotential bonding conductor shall be determined in accordance with Clause 5.6.3.2. 5.6.3.2Size The size of equipotential bonding conductors shall be determined from the requirements of this Clause 5.6.3.2 appropriate to the particular bonding conductor application. The equipotential bonding conductor need not be larger than these sizes provided that the installation conditions are such that mechanical damage is unlikely to occur and, in accordance with Clause 5.7.5, a larger size is not required to reduce the earth fault-loop impedance.
(a) Conductive piping, cable sheaths and wiring enclosures The equipotential bonding conductor required in accordance with Clauses 5.6.2.2 to 5.6.2.4 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 4 mm2.
(b)Showers, bathrooms, swimming and spa pools The equipotential bonding conductors required to connect conductive parts of a shower, bathroom, swimming or spa pool in accordance with Clauses 5.6.2.5 and 5.6.2.6 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 4 mm2. Exception: The cross-sectional area of the equipotential bonding conductor for a swimming or spa pool may be determined as for an earthing conductor, in accordance with Clause 5.3.3.4 (c), where the equipotential bonding conductor is incorporated in a multi-core flexible cord supplying electrical equipment that is required to be removed for maintenance. (c)Telephone and telecommunication earthing systems The equipotential bonding conductors required to connect a telephone and telecommunication earthing system in accordance with Clause 5.6.2.7 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 6 mm2.
In addition since 1/12/2010, fencing needs to be bonded.
In addition, the power line terminates on my property with a transformer. The distance from the pole to the pool is 70ft, which is sufficient distance away to comply with the regulations regarding general construction but as this pole/transformer carries 19,000 volts and has several earthing wires buried in the ground around it apparently and that these appear to carry current according to the sign, I am wondering if there are increased risks of stray voltage which need to be addressed?
I would be grateful if anyone could let me know where there are differences and if the standard is higher in the US for any particular aspect and if I should incorporate it. Thanks
From what I can see they only require the deck to be bonded if it is reinforced, not if pavers are used.
The bonding needs to be earthed?: I am not sure this is the case in the US?
Only one point of contact is required for pool reinforcement.
Bonding conductor is not required to be bare
Here are the Australian wiring rules for equipotential bonding in swimming pools as of 19/01/2011:
5.6.2.6 Swimming and spa pools
The following items shall be equipotentially bonded: (a)The exposed conductive part of any electrical equipment in the classified pool zones. (b)Any exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment that are not separated from live parts by double insulation and that are in contact with the pool water, including water in the circulation or filtering system. Where any of the items described in Item (a) or Item (b) exist, the bonding shall be extended to the following additional items: (i)Any fixed extraneous conductive parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool shell and deck. (ii)Any conductive fittings within or attached to the pool structure, such as pool ladders and diving boards
iii)Any fixed conductive material within arm’s reach of the pool edge, such as conductive fences, lamp standards and pipework. The bonding conductor shall be terminated or connected by any of the means permitted by Clause 3.7. In addition, where the connection may be subjected to the deteriorating effect of the pool water, it shall be covered with, or encapsulated in, a suitable compound. An equipotential bonding conductor, in accordance with Clause 5.6.3, shall be connected between the bonded parts and the earthing conductor associated with each circuit supplying the pool or spa, or the earthing bar at the switchboard at which the circuit originates.
NOTES: 1 Connections to the conductive reinforcement of the pool will generally be subject to the effects of water during the construction phase and to subsequent dampness. 2Where electrical appliances and luminaires are supplied as a separated circuit in accordance with Clause 7.4, all conductive parts of such electrical equipment are deemed to be separated from live parts by double insulation. 3 Conductive tie-wires used during construction of reinforced concrete pools are considered to be an adequate electrical bond between the conductive reinforcing components. Provided that the reinforcement is satisfactorily electrically connected together, one point of connection of the bonding conductor to the reinforcement is satisfactory where bonding is required by Item (i). 4 Fixed conductive parts and fittings that are not part of electrical equipment and that are not more than 100 mm in any dimension need not be bonded. 5 Underwater luminaire bezels should be made of plastics and any associated fixing screws be insulated or of insulating material
5.6.3 Bonding conductors
5.6.3.1 General The selection and installation requirements for equipotential bonding conductors shall be in accordance with this Standard for protective earthing conductors. Exception: The size of an equipotential bonding conductor shall be determined in accordance with Clause 5.6.3.2. 5.6.3.2Size The size of equipotential bonding conductors shall be determined from the requirements of this Clause 5.6.3.2 appropriate to the particular bonding conductor application. The equipotential bonding conductor need not be larger than these sizes provided that the installation conditions are such that mechanical damage is unlikely to occur and, in accordance with Clause 5.7.5, a larger size is not required to reduce the earth fault-loop impedance.
(a) Conductive piping, cable sheaths and wiring enclosures The equipotential bonding conductor required in accordance with Clauses 5.6.2.2 to 5.6.2.4 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 4 mm2.
(b)Showers, bathrooms, swimming and spa pools The equipotential bonding conductors required to connect conductive parts of a shower, bathroom, swimming or spa pool in accordance with Clauses 5.6.2.5 and 5.6.2.6 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 4 mm2. Exception: The cross-sectional area of the equipotential bonding conductor for a swimming or spa pool may be determined as for an earthing conductor, in accordance with Clause 5.3.3.4 (c), where the equipotential bonding conductor is incorporated in a multi-core flexible cord supplying electrical equipment that is required to be removed for maintenance. (c)Telephone and telecommunication earthing systems The equipotential bonding conductors required to connect a telephone and telecommunication earthing system in accordance with Clause 5.6.2.7 shall have a cross-sectional area not less than 6 mm2.
In addition since 1/12/2010, fencing needs to be bonded.
In addition, the power line terminates on my property with a transformer. The distance from the pole to the pool is 70ft, which is sufficient distance away to comply with the regulations regarding general construction but as this pole/transformer carries 19,000 volts and has several earthing wires buried in the ground around it apparently and that these appear to carry current according to the sign, I am wondering if there are increased risks of stray voltage which need to be addressed?