First, I understand each local entity has different codes. I also understand getting someone "local" to interpret them for me is probably going to be like pulling teeth with our township. So just trying to do my homework and educate myself a little. Any advice I get will absolutely be checked with the proper authorities (When I can find them!)
Regardless, here's my scenario. Looking to add a heat pump. Electrical service is already in place at the sub panel for the pool, so no long distance runs there. My question is on bonding.
I understand the basic difference between grounding and bonding. We have an in ground fiberglass pool. There was a bonding wire run around the perimeter of the pool before concrete was poured (I saw it). We have nothing metal in the pool that would require bonding (Ladders, handrails, etc.) We do have two LED lights, but all plastic.
All of the equipment on our pad is bonded. There is a special PVC pipe connector from the main drain that the bonding wire starts at. It then loops through the pump then to the sub panel box. On the sub panel box, it loops through a termination point on the outside of the box - it does NOT enter the box. From there, it then runs to what appears to be a ground rod.
That's where I get throw. Ground rod? Why? I did some digging and did find in a Hayward heat pump manual (Not the one I'm getting) this text -
"On some older pools, this substructure bond wire may not exist. In these cases, a 6 to 8 foot solid copper rod must be driven into the ground near the equipment."
(http://www.hayward-pool.com/pdf/manuals/EasyTempHeatPump-R-410A.pdf)
So now I'm really lost. I thought this was a no-no, but the more I read, the more it seems some places (Especially Canada) require a grounding rod in the bonding system. I thought that defeated the purpose. Anyway, I DO know that if there is a ground running around the perimeter of my pool, it does not appear run over to the equipment pad (Not sure if it should be or not, not finding anything on that one - if not, where does it terminate?)
Final question. This was really my original question when I began reading. If I add a heat pump, do I have to add a completely new bonding wire to all components on the pad so it's continuous? Or can I lug onto the existing bonding wire?
Regardless, here's my scenario. Looking to add a heat pump. Electrical service is already in place at the sub panel for the pool, so no long distance runs there. My question is on bonding.
I understand the basic difference between grounding and bonding. We have an in ground fiberglass pool. There was a bonding wire run around the perimeter of the pool before concrete was poured (I saw it). We have nothing metal in the pool that would require bonding (Ladders, handrails, etc.) We do have two LED lights, but all plastic.
All of the equipment on our pad is bonded. There is a special PVC pipe connector from the main drain that the bonding wire starts at. It then loops through the pump then to the sub panel box. On the sub panel box, it loops through a termination point on the outside of the box - it does NOT enter the box. From there, it then runs to what appears to be a ground rod.
That's where I get throw. Ground rod? Why? I did some digging and did find in a Hayward heat pump manual (Not the one I'm getting) this text -
"On some older pools, this substructure bond wire may not exist. In these cases, a 6 to 8 foot solid copper rod must be driven into the ground near the equipment."
(http://www.hayward-pool.com/pdf/manuals/EasyTempHeatPump-R-410A.pdf)
So now I'm really lost. I thought this was a no-no, but the more I read, the more it seems some places (Especially Canada) require a grounding rod in the bonding system. I thought that defeated the purpose. Anyway, I DO know that if there is a ground running around the perimeter of my pool, it does not appear run over to the equipment pad (Not sure if it should be or not, not finding anything on that one - if not, where does it terminate?)
Final question. This was really my original question when I began reading. If I add a heat pump, do I have to add a completely new bonding wire to all components on the pad so it's continuous? Or can I lug onto the existing bonding wire?