Bonding

[Jake&Clan]

We're in the process of hooking up a heat pump to our 24 ft circular above round pool. Inspector came today to inspect our trenching and we passed. That's when he hit me with something. He asked who was doing the bonding on this pool. I had no intention of bonding this pool and apparently either did my electrician. In 26 years or running electricity and doing pools he has never bonded an above ground pool. The Aluminum deck is grounded to a lightning rod, the pool itself has a mechanical lug on the skimmer basket which ties into the pool pump and the rivets on the pool wall next to the skimmer, and the heat pump is all plastic at the bottom. I feel like I'm amply covered here but if there's still a major safety concern I'll get it done.

Nothing will happen if I never call from my final inspection other than the inability to sell the house with an outstanding dormant inspection.

 

[ajw22]

From Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

Questions often come up asking if an Above Ground Pool needs to be bonded. The NEC does not refer to Above Ground Pools.

The definition of Storable Pools and Permanently Installed Pools have been changing in the NEC.

Previously the NEC said permanently installed swimming, wading, immersion, and therapeutic pools constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water in a depth greater than 42 in., and pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature must be bonded.

The 2023 update to the NEC changed the definitions to:

• Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion and Therapeutic Pools - Those that are constructed or installed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all pools installed inside of a building, whether or not served by electrical circuits or any nature.
• Storable Pool - Pools installed entirely on or above the ground that are intended to be stored when not in use and are designed for ease of relocation, regardless of water depth.

If you are looking to satisfy an Inspector in your Jurisdiction you should confirm what NEC version is currently adopted and being applied. Jurisdictions can take years to change to a more recent NEC version. The NEC is updated every 3 years and the current version is 2023. Prior NEC versions were 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, etc.

 

[ajw22]

I feel like I'm amply covered here but if there's still a major safety concern I'll get it done.

The purpose of bonding is to create an equipotential grid around the pool so that any stray electrical currents do not shock people in contact with the water or deck.

Stray electrical currents can come from sources unrelated to your swimming pool equipment.

Here is a thread that has been going on for 6 years trying to find the source of a tingle - A Slight Shock.

Here the voltage source was a streetlight connected to the house power line Bonding Issue In A Pool.

Here the Power Company was called in and found the house neutral was damaged and sending current to ground - ELECTRICITY in the water! What could be causing it - how to stop it?

Bonding Prevents Shocks or Electrocution From Stray Currents​

It does happen...

Expert: Breached bonding wire could have led to teen's electrocution

 

[Jake&Clan]

From Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

Questions often come up asking if an Above Ground Pool needs to be bonded. The NEC does not refer to Above Ground Pools.

The definition of Storable Pools and Permanently Installed Pools have been changing in the NEC.

Previously the NEC said permanently installed swimming, wading, immersion, and therapeutic pools constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water in a depth greater than 42 in., and pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature must be bonded.

The 2023 update to the NEC changed the definitions to:

• Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion and Therapeutic Pools - Those that are constructed or installed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all pools installed inside of a building, whether or not served by electrical circuits or any nature.
• Storable Pool - Pools installed entirely on or above the ground that are intended to be stored when not in use and are designed for ease of relocation, regardless of water depth.

If you are looking to satisfy an Inspector in your Jurisdiction you should confirm what NEC version is currently adopted and being applied. Jurisdictions can take years to change to a more recent NEC version. The NEC is updated every 3 years and the current version is 2023. Prior NEC versions were 2020, 2017, 2014, 2011, etc.

So I'm guessing an above ground pool 48" deep and 24' wife doesn't qualify as either. It's not permanently installed and it's not storable either.

 

[ajw22]

So I'm guessing an above ground pool 48" deep and 24' wife doesn't qualify as either. It's not permanently installed and it's not storable either.

If the pool is not disassembled and stored at the end of the season then it is permanently installed and needs to be bonded according to the 2023 NEC.

 

[Jake&Clan]

You stated permanent was "Those that are constructed or installed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all pools installed inside of a building, whether or not served by electrical circuits or any nature."

An above ground pool like mine is not installed partially or entirely in the ground at all. Every bit of it is above ground and it is of course outdoors.

 

[ajw22]

You stated permanent was "Those that are constructed or installed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all pools installed inside of a building, whether or not served by electrical circuits or any nature."

An above ground pool like mine is not installed partially or entirely in the ground at all. Every bit of it is above ground and it is of course outdoors.

Don’t quibble with me. That is the way the NEC defines it and I am merely sharing with you why the inspector said your pool must be grounded.

Is your pool intended to be stored when not in use and designed for ease of relocation, regardless of water depth?

 

[ttroglio]

Rather than try to find an out in the code wording, what's the harm in just bonding it? Seems like a simple and safe task.

 

[Jake&Clan]

Don’t quibble with me. That is the way the NEC defines it and I am merely sharing with you why the inspector said your pool must be grounded.

Is your pool intended to be stored when not in use and designed for ease of relocation, regardless of water depth?

No it's not stored when not in use. A pool cover goes over it. It's next to impossible to relocate. While it can be done it is not designed for ease of relocation. I'm not quibbling with you. You said that the permanent pool is defined as something that is either entirely or partially in ground of which an above ground round 24 foot pool is neither!

 

[ajw22]

You said that the permanent pool is defined as something that is either entirely or partially in ground of which an above ground round 24 foot pool is neither!

No, the NEC said that. Take it up with them.

In the meantime your Inspector is following the latest NEC and you can debate your interpertations with him.

 

[wireform]

I think this is for your safety and I know I wouldn't argue the point.

 

[Jake&Clan]

No, the NEC said that. Take it up with them.

In the meantime your Inspector is following the latest NEC and you can debate your interpertations with him.

My inspector is following the 2017 nec. Also, I wasn't asking about the inspector. I was asking about safety given that every device is grounded (but not bonded). I don't have to complete my inspection. Nothing will happen other than my inability to sell the house with an outstanding dormant unresolved permit. At that point I would be taking the pool with me so the whole thing would be moot.

 

[ajw22]

. I was asking about safety given that every device is grounded (but not bonded).

That was answered in post #3.

 

[RLP]

Nothing will happen other than my inability to sell the house with an outstanding dormant unresolved permit.

You hope.

Im not sure how it the construction departments work where you are, but here, they go through old permits when they get slow. The fines start at $2000.00

The code rules get written after people die. Do you think that someone came up with bonding and equipotential grids just for the heck of it?

Frankly, you are being foolish. You aren't an electrical engineer. You dont know why or how those codes were written

That inspector is looking out for you, your families, and guests life.