We just got a pool and the pool company is no help. So the pool is installed n filled. I just found out according to code we have to bond the pool. The top, the uprights n bottom tracks are plastic. How do I bond to this?
How to bond resin pool
- Thread starter Kelh
- Start date
While a pool installer should understand bonding, don't be too hard on them - even many electricians have no clue what you are talking about. Bonding for a pool is an area that very few people understand, but it is very important to the safety of those in and around the water. It's sad to say, even many electricians, unless they work with pool electrical systems regularly don;t understand it. Here is a good article that explains what bonding is.
Taking the Mystery Out of Equipotential Bonding Requirements for Swimming Pools
When we talk about pool electrical, the guy who teaches the electricians is Mike Holt. If you google Mike Hole Pool Electrical you will find links to multiple articles and graphics about how things should be done.
I'm taking you at your word that there is nothing metallic or that conducts electricity in/around the pool. So, you will need to bond the water (see link to a product below) and create the "halo" completely around the pool with #8 bare copper wire. This is even installed in the dirt if that's all there is around the pool. This will then have to be bonded to any pool equipment (pumps/filters) that has a bonding lug on the outside. Many above ground pumps are double insulated and do not have a bonding lug.
Waterbug Pool Water Bonding Kit
If you understand A/C electricity, it is always trying to "flow" back to it's source (the transformer on the pole/in your front yard) not to ground as many people think. So the pool bonding creates an area in and around the pool where everything conductive is connected together electrically. If everything is connected then there is no flow within that protected area.
Taking the Mystery Out of Equipotential Bonding Requirements for Swimming Pools
When we talk about pool electrical, the guy who teaches the electricians is Mike Holt. If you google Mike Hole Pool Electrical you will find links to multiple articles and graphics about how things should be done.
I'm taking you at your word that there is nothing metallic or that conducts electricity in/around the pool. So, you will need to bond the water (see link to a product below) and create the "halo" completely around the pool with #8 bare copper wire. This is even installed in the dirt if that's all there is around the pool. This will then have to be bonded to any pool equipment (pumps/filters) that has a bonding lug on the outside. Many above ground pumps are double insulated and do not have a bonding lug.
Waterbug Pool Water Bonding Kit
If you understand A/C electricity, it is always trying to "flow" back to it's source (the transformer on the pole/in your front yard) not to ground as many people think. So the pool bonding creates an area in and around the pool where everything conductive is connected together electrically. If everything is connected then there is no flow within that protected area.
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 779
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I’m not understanding why OP shouldn’t be too hard on PB having not built to code. It may be a something that that not all electricians know, but a PB certainly should. I didn’t know about it before I read it on here after our pool was complete. I ran outside to look for evidence of bonding, and I can see it easily. Most of us have a properly bonded pool and I bet many of us didn’t know to ask for it.
OP, does your contract with PB say that the pool would be up to code?
OP, does your contract with PB say that the pool would be up to code?
Yea, I may have worded that poorly, but the truth is very few people truly understand bonding. Plus, when you get into the world of above ground pools there are so many "builders" who are nothing more than sales folks who charge $395 to "install" the AG pool on your "prepared site".
Curious to know what you ended up doing with regards to the bonding on your pool. I have an install schedule for 8/6 and I am pretty sure my installer will have no idea what bonding is, so I am preparing to do it myself if that is the case (he is more an erector/builder, as I bought the pool from another party).
I emailed the company I bought the pool from (It's a Buster Crabbe pool), and I am waiting to hear back from them. But basically my setup is similar to yours, but I have: Resin Uprights, Resin Top Rails and Top Caps - but I do have an aluminum bottom track. From reading, I know I can get the one bonding point at the screw junction of the wall and I intend on doing that. But I am wondering for the remaining 3 places, if I can just drill into the track and put a lug there to attach to - for my 3 additional spots.
Hoping to hear back from the company I bought from, but just thought I would see what you ended up going with as well.
I emailed the company I bought the pool from (It's a Buster Crabbe pool), and I am waiting to hear back from them. But basically my setup is similar to yours, but I have: Resin Uprights, Resin Top Rails and Top Caps - but I do have an aluminum bottom track. From reading, I know I can get the one bonding point at the screw junction of the wall and I intend on doing that. But I am wondering for the remaining 3 places, if I can just drill into the track and put a lug there to attach to - for my 3 additional spots.
Hoping to hear back from the company I bought from, but just thought I would see what you ended up going with as well.
Install a skimmer water bond, the cups for the deep end ladder, and bond the metal pieces that attach the rope that divides the shallow end. Run the #8 bare copper around the entire pool and go to all pool equipment, deck boxes, and lighting transformers
Similar threads
