Bonding an SWG Panel

[dailygenesis]

Hello all -- we recently had an Aquarite AQR940 installed. The installer did not connect the bonding lug on the panel to the bonding wire that currently connects the main pump, booster pump, and heater on the equipment pad. I asked about this after the work was finished and he said they typically do not connect the SWG panel to the bonding grid on any such installations. Based on what I've been reading, though, it seems like this would be a good idea and something that should be fairly simple for me to do myself.

Incidentally, I also noted that the control panel for our Ecommand system is also not connected to the bonding grid. It has been this way since pool construction in 2022.

I was thinking I should probably go ahead and connect these two pieces to the bonding grid. It seems like a simple thing to do, but I wanted to make sure I'm not missing something.

I found another post with someone recommending just splitting off the existing bonding wire at any point using one of these -> NSi Industries 8 AWG Copper Split Bolt- 1 Count N-8 - The Home Depot

Is it really that simple? Or do I need to continue the loop from the last piece of equipment on the bonding wire (the heater) to the SWG panel and then loop from there to the Ecommand panel? Is there any advantage in doing it a certain way or is it literally just making sure it's connected to the wire at some point.

Any insights are appreciated.

 

[Jimrahbe]

DG,

If the units have an external bonding lug then it makes sense to connect the bonding wire to it..

In my mind, bonding is really more important when a device has water and electricity flowing through it.. Like a pump or a heater, etc... Automation systems and SWCG control panels don't really have any water flowing through them, so while I suggest they be connected to the bonding wire, in the big picture, I doubt it makes much of a difference.

I would just run a new bonding wire between the current bonding wire and your SWCG and automation.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

I found another post with someone recommending just splitting off the existing bonding wire at any point using one of these -> NSi Industries 8 AWG Copper Split Bolt- 1 Count N-8 - The Home Depot

Yes, it is that simple. Use #8 copper wire between your panels with bonding lugs and the existing bonding wire.

 

[dailygenesis]

Thanks everyone!