in-ground pool bonding question

[Tetti]

I switched over to a SWG for our pool this year which required some work from an electrician to install. On his last visit, he installed a GFCI for the SWG which trips shortly after being switched on.
So I'm only now discovering that our pool was never bonded on installation, which is what's causing it to trip. I've already spent a bunch of money getting the SWG in and wired. Am I facing a significant cost of getting this thing up to code? We have a 3-4 foot concrete perimeter around the pool and from what I've read, getting it bonded seems pretty intrusive. We moved into this house 10 years ago and the pool/electrical work was already in place when we bought it and we've never had any issues with using the pool safety-wise. Any advice would be great.

 

[ajw22]

Lack of bonding does not affect a GFCI.

Taking the Mystery Out of Equipotential Bonding Requirements for Swimming Pools is a good primer to understand equipotential bonding in pools.

A good reference is from Mike Holt Enterprises on Article 680—Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations.

Also How to Verify That a Pool is Safe from Electric Shock – In Accordance with the National Electrical Code from Mike Holt.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

I agree with Allen. I can't see how the lack of a pool bonding system would trip a SWCG GFCI.

Something is wrong, but I doubt it is a bonding issue.

Show us some pics of the GFCI install.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Tetti]

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to anything electrical. My electrician thinks it has something something to do with impedance in the ground(?). I really don't understand. I just did a test where I switched the breaker back on and made sure the SWG was off. A few minutes later, it had tripped itself back off again. There's also a pool light on the same breaker but it was off as well.

Here's a picture of the box. The bottom switch is the one in question.

 

[Jimrahbe]

something to do with impedance in the ground(?)

T,

The problem with that theory, is that the bonding system is not connected to ground.

In any case, it would help if we could see the wiring behind the metal panel.

Just to be clear.. The GFCI breaker has been there for a while, but your electrician just added the SWCG to it... Is that true??

Thanks,

Jim R.