Saltwater Aurora Bonding/Grounding Needed?

[mbuckmaster]

Hi everyone, just installed a new all-resin Saltwater Aurora, thanks in large part to advice from the uber smart community here (thanks)! I’m learning a ton here and gaining confidence as I go. One question I’m not finding an answer to is about the grounding and bonding needs for the actual pool itself, as an all-resin pool. Filter/pump, heater—no question, licensed electrician coming to do those and run the dedicated GFCI. But do I insist he also ground and/or bond the pool itself? Or does the all-resin nature of the pool make that unnecessary? Sorry in advance if this is an ignorant question, it just seems the completely non-metal nature if the Aurora may make some difference here. Thanks for any insight you can share!

 

[PoolGate]

From the manual: Download The Pool Factory Saltwater Aurora Installation Manual | ManualsLib

11. ELECTRICAL HAZARD Never touch or attempt to service electrical equipment, including the filter when your body and/ or the ground is wet. Electrocution or permanent injury due to high voltage (120V AC) could result. The pool should be bonded in accordance with Section 680-26 of the National Electical Code. For further assistance contact your dealer or a local licensed electrician. Do not use pool during electrical or rain storms.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You have to read the NEC that applies to your jurisdiction for the answer.

While the pool shell is non-conductive and does not require bonding, you still need a water bond and perimeter bonding with the pool equipment.

Electrical Bonding - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mbuckmaster]

Thanks, appreciate the replies and helpful resources. I do have an experienced electrician so I’m sure he’ll know what to do…I just can’t figure out what on the pool he’ll actually bond to, ha! The pump and heater both have metal tabs that are clearly for that, but nothing metal in the pool…

THIS is why layman new pool owners hire experienced pros…and join TFP!

 

[mbuckmaster]

And here is the answer, thanks again ajw22:

• The pool water must be bonded to the bonding loop with a device like:
  • the Burndy BWB680AGRK Waterbug Pool Water Bonding Kit.[3] You drill a hole through your skimmer and install it there.
  • the Perma-Cast PB2008 Water Bonding Fitting PB-2008 in the pipe going to the pump on a tee fitting

 

[Mdragger88]

Yup - water bond & all your equipment along with the ring around the pool.
I will say that we have seen reports of inspectors insisting that you bond the resin frame which makes absolutely no sense. Hopefully your inspector isn’t that inept.

 

[kellyfair]

Howdy - I have an Aurora and I bonded myself. I did do the loop around the pool and attachment to a bolt at the metal seam (behind an upright. I used a water bug in my skimmer, and did a spoke connecting SWCG and pump. It was pretty easy.

 

[phonedave]

If you understand what bonding does, it all makes sense.

The purpose is to prevent you from touching two separate conductive "things" that are not normally connected. If those things are not normally connected, then YOU connect them and if they are at a different electrical potential YOU become the conductor.

Earth is conductive, water is conductive, the pump housing is conductive, other equipment is conductive.

You could stand on the earth outside your pool and then stick your hand in the water, you would then connect the water and the earth. You want all of that connected ahead of time.

If your pool frame (legs, top rail, wall, etc) was also conductive, then you would have to bond that as well. Since it is resin, it does not have to be.