bonding ig pool

[papadoppa]

I have a residential electrician that does all of my homes doing all the connections but I am buying everything, digging the trenches, laying pipe and pulling wire to save a few bucks to say the least.

My electrician is not 100% clear on bonding a pool--I can call the inspector but I don't want to sound completely out of it before I do so I'm hoping someone here can help a bit.

What I understand is I need a solid #8 bare copper wire connected to my IntelliCenter's bonding lugs which all equipment will be connected to therefore bonding all the equipment. This same wire needs to be connected to my rebar grid, of course, prior to shotcrete.

What I don't understand fully is how and where. I figure a bonding clamp lug where it connects both the rebar and wire is what I need but is one point adequate or do I need to loop the entire pool? The pool has a paver deck that will be 1/4" minus below it, not concrete, although some of the pavers about 7' away from the pool will be laid on an existing concrete deck. Not sure if any of what I just wrote is pertinent.

Thank you

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Here you can see the bonding wire that goes completely around the pool, yes yours will need the same. No extra wires were needed coming off the four sides due to there is no concrete deck around the pool to tie in to. Any steel within 5’ must be bonded to the pool.

 

[ajw22]

You also need to have the bonding connected to the water with at least 9 sq inches of area contacting the water. The bonding grid must include the water, the surrounding deck, equipment, and any metal that can be touched while in contact with the water.

The equipment gets connected to the #8 bare bonding wire and not through the Intellicenter.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[papadoppa]

You also need to have the bonding connected to the water with at least 9 sq inches of area contacting the water. The bonding grid must include the water, the surrounding deck, equipment, and any metal that can be touched while in contact with the water.

The equipment gets connected to the #8 bare bonding wire and not through the Intellicenter.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

There's a lug at the IntelliCenter that I assume is big enough to tie leads from to the pump etc, no? How does one bond a wire with water in a finished pool?

 

[papadoppa]

Here you can see the bonding wire that goes completely around the pool, yes yours will need the same. No extra wires were needed coming off the four sides due to there is no concrete deck around the pool to tie in to. Any steel within 5’ must be bonded to the pool.

I see your wire--to clarify I run the wire around the perimeter of the pool and attach to the rebar at one point or 4 or what? Thanks

 

[ajw22]

There's a lug at the IntelliCenter that I assume is big enough to tie leads from to the pump etc, no? How does one bond a wire with water in a finished pool?

You plan for the water bond during the pool construction.

Metal light niches can be used as the water bond. Some non metal light fixtures have a 9 sq inch metal grid on them to use as a water bond.

There are water bond fixtures that can be installed in a skimmer. Or there are water bond devices that connect in a pipe that is always full of water.

Using the lug on the IntelliCenter is not an approved technique. It can create a high resistance connection that defeats the purpose of the bonding grid.

Copper lugs and split bolts are used to connect the bonding wires between devices together into one loop.

 

[BMerrill]

What type of pool are you installing?

Exponential bonding should not be taken lightly.
Mike Holt is the expert on this subject.
Mike Holt on Pool Bonding

 

[papadoppa]

What type of pool are you installing?

Exponential bonding should not be taken lightly.
Mike Holt is the expert on this subject.
Mike Holt on Pool Bonding

In ground concrete shell reinforced with rebar.

I am definitely not taking this lightly hence why I am asking others-then reaching out to the inspector.

 

[papadoppa]

You plan for the water bond during the pool construction.

Metal light niches can be used as the water bond. Some non metal light fixtures have a 9 sq inch metal grid on them to use as a water bond.

There are water bond fixtures that can be installed in a skimmer. Or there are water bond devices that connect in a pipe that is always full of water.

Using the lug on the IntelliCenter is not an approved technique. It can create a high resistance connection that defeats the purpose of the bonding grid.

Copper lugs and split bolts are used to connect the bonding wires between devices together into one loop.

Good looking out. I can just use the split bolt and screw that to my house or something to keep it neat looking then? Thank you.

Totally going the skimmer route then. Seems easiest since the light fixtures are small. Thank you thank you thank you

 

[ajw22]

No, don’t screw the split bolt to your house. The bonding wire should lie in the ground or be buried an inch or two.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

I would run the wire completely around the pool and connect it on 4 sides, don’t know what the regulations are in your area but this would more than likely have you covered.

 

[ajw22]

I would run the wire completely around the pool and connect it on 4 sides, don’t know what the regulations are in your area but this would more than likely have you covered.

To be clear, that is necessary but not sufficient for a complete bonding grid.

 

[damdan]

My electrician connected a bare #8 wire from my equipment to the rebar, then put 4 more lugs attached to the rebar (one on each end and one on each side) with about 2 feet of #8 wire attached to each. Not sure what these wires will be attached to, but there is not a bare wire running completely around the pool. This in Riverside California. You can see examples in the pictures below.

 

[ajw22]

My electrician connected a bare #8 wire from my equipment to the rebar, then put 4 more lugs attached to the rebar (one on each end and one on each side) with about 2 feet of #8 wire attached to each. not sure what these wires will be attached to, but there is not a bare wire running completely around the pool. this in Riverside California. You can see examples in the pictures below.

View attachment 390388 View attachment 390387

What type of deck are you installing around the pool?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Should have been more specific, this pool was surrounded by 100% sod. Inspector required all 4 sides be connected to a complete loop and run to the equipment.

 

[jimmythegreek]

You run the loop around the pool because it's easier. Some guys make a letter C around a pool. Doesn't matter unless decking calls for bonding. You tie in at 4 spots equal distance apart (close is good enough they don't pull out a tape) and make arrangements for a skimmer bond if using micro lights. Tie in all equipment and anything within reach of water or 5ft away that's metallic. Yes the automation panel has a BOND lug you attach to. Do not confuse with any grounding or ground rods, two different things. Mike Holt details it all I have the pages laminated in case I get into it with an inspector lol

 

[papadoppa]

much obliged to everyone. I have knowledge, I read Mike Holt, I understand much better. Tomorrow morning I will call the inspector and find out exactly the requirements for my city, Phoenix, is and report back.

 

[papadoppa]

Talked to PHX inspector--#8 (bought 6 because couldn't find 8 and driving around isn't worth the $40 in savings) solid bare copper looped around perimeter, attached to rebar at 4 points and then tied together and that wire run back to the equipment and buried after all is connected.

No additional bonding required.

I can't bond a pump that isn't there so after shotcrete but before plaster inspector will come out again and check pool barrier/gates/doors and at that time I will show him the complete bond and then it's on.

 

[ajw22]

You must have a water bond, regardless of what the Inspector did not say. Otherwise your bonding is worthless and you can get shocks from stray electrical currents.

The Inspector may be used to assuming the water bond comes from the pool light.

 

[ajw22]

Tell the Inspector..

”The pool does not have a water bond. Do I need one?”

and see how he responds.