Electrical Installation Planning

[roundbox52]

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the site and love the information and photos everyone has to share. I need a some electrical planning help...

I'm looking to install an AGP in spring 2021, perhaps with a pool installer, but want to prep some electrical now as I am putting drywall on my basement ceiling soon and won't have access come springtime.

I'm planning on a 27' diameter AGP, DE filter, an Aquatrol salt generator and a timer. Should I use 12/2 nm cable from the basement electrical panel to the timer to just outside the house? I think I then need to switch to something that is wet rated and can be in pvc conduit (attached to underside of a deck and then making its way into the ground to the filter) and make its way to the pump. Does this sound accurate? I'm questioning if I should run 12/3 as I've read a variable speed pump needs a third conductor. Any suggestions on this? Is a variable speed pump worth the extra cost?

Code calls for a general purpose outlet which can be taken from any branch circuit in the house which is good because I can tap into an existing outlet in the basement. This would be 14/2 nm from the existing outlet to just outside the house. I'm assuming I also need to then switch to lines that are wet rated and can be in pvc conduit. Can I run this general purpose line inside the same conduit as the pump line?

Final question, for today How is a salt generator tied into the electrical system, by running a third line? I've read it should only be on when the pump is on, how do you make this happen?

Thanks!

 

[jseyfert3]

but want to prep some electrical now as I am putting drywall on my basement ceiling soon and won't have access come springtime.

Should I use 12/2 nm cable from the basement electrical panel to the timer to just outside the house?

If possible, I would recommend NOT using nm and instead installing conduit from the panel all the way to outside the house. Then you can easily pull whatever wires (THHN) you need later, or upgrade a few years down the road, without breaking up the drywall to run new wires. You just simply run fish tape down the conduit and pull whatever new wires you need (up to the fill limit of the conduit).

If you elect not to do conduit for whatever reason in the basement, then 12/3 would probably be the bare minimum you'd want to put in, if not 10/3 for extra overhead. And then run a 14/2 or 12/2 while you're at it. You probably wouldn't need it, but it's much easier to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[magiteck]

Can I run this general purpose line inside the same conduit as the pump line?
Thanks!

Yes; I did this. In my case I ran two new circuits. I only needed 2wire + ground for each in my case, but I ran 2 lines of 12/2 from my panel to a box right inside the house. Then conduit from there through the wall, down to the ground, and up to a post in the back yard. Inside the conduit I used 12 gauge THHN/THWN wire. It has to be “W” for wet rated, but nobody markets it as that at the store. Just look at the THHN wire and make sure it has THWN marked on it as well.

I have some pics of mine I’ll post in a minute...

 

[magiteck]

Yes; I did this. In my case I ran two new circuits. I only needed 2wire + ground for each in my case, but I ran 2 lines of 12/2 from my panel to a box right inside the house. Then conduit from there through the wall, down to the ground, and up to a post in the back yard. Inside the conduit I used 12 gauge THHN/THWN wire. It has to be “W” for wet rated, but nobody markets it as that at the store. Just look at the THHN wire and make sure it has THWN marked on it as well.

I have some pics of mine I’ll post in a minute...

Pics:

Electrical

• magiteck
• Jun 5, 2020
• 4

 

[AJ.A]

If you are running a 20 amp circuit you need 12/2 romex from panel to a junction box just outside house. From there you can switch to conduit - I would use 3/4 inch schedule 40. You will pull 3 conductors (thhn/thwn) white,green,red 12 gauge to a gfci outlet. Just make sure you use green , white and the hot wire can be any color.

This is for a standard 120v pump. If yours is different you will need different wire.

 

[magiteck]

If you are running a 20 amp circuit you need 12/2 romex from panel to a junction box just outside house. From there you can switch to conduit - I would use 3/4 inch schedule 40. You will pull 3 conductors (thhn/thwn) white,green,red 12 gauge to a gfci outlet. Just make sure you use green , white and the hot wire can be any color.

This is for a standard 120v pump. If yours is different you will need different wire.

I used green, white and black. But as you say here green and white are the important colors. Black or red are the common colors I see used for Hot. I see red more commonly when there’s two hots, e.g. 240v.

Other things to consider, OP:
Many areas require a twist-lock plug for the pump. That’s what the “lower outlet” in my pic is. You’ll also need weatherproof outlet covers.

The pump should be connected to a GFCI breaker. The accessory outlet needs to either have a GFCI breaker or a Weather Resistant GFCI outlet. (Marked WR)

I used a GFCI breaker for the pump and a standard breaker plus GFCI outlet for my accessory outlet. I figure if the accessory GFCI trips I didn’t want to have to go to the basement.

I hope someone chimes in with more tips specific to the SWG. I don’t have one so can’t offer much help there.

 

[Kjingram821]

You'll likely need to get the wiring inspected (at least the rough in) before covering it up.