Hot Tubs and GFCI Breakers

Always remember code compliance is the minimum standard. Don't be afraid to go above and beyond the required code. A redundant earth ground will not cause a problem with a GFCI but may very well prevent a body from being included in a path to ground.

"I make sure that the unit has its own line directly to the breaker box with nothing else on it, I never use smaller than 12 ga wire and I ground everything seperately"

1) You use 12 gauge for what a 15A circuit. Which is above minimum code so thats always a good thing.

2) How do you "bond" everything seperatly?

"I use a GFCI Breaker and a GFCI outlet."

Do you install a seperate ground rod/plate and if so what gauge do you use for the ground conductor?

It is against code and manufactures recomandations to have a GFCI Breaker & GFI Receptacle on the same circuit. I have seen this before when monkeys would install multiple GFI's on one circuit to make up for not having a bond conductor in the cable feeding these plugs. This is WRONG.

GFCI receptacles when there are two and one GFCI "load" terminals feed another GFCI . This casuses them to "fight" and causes unnecessary tripping, shorten live span, and may not operate correctly when needed.

I have worked on residential and there are two options to GFCI a line

1) You install a GFCI Breaker 15A, 20A, etc. But these cost can add up very quickly for a complete panel re-do.

2) Take the first plug of each line, install a GFCI Rec. and connect the cable coming from panel to the "line" and all other cables to "load". Now this one GFCI Rec. will protect the entire line of receptacles, lighting, etc.

3) Take each 15A circuit on the panel and install a utility box beside the panel and install a GFCI and and connect the cable coming from panel to the "line" and all other cables to "load". Now this one GFCI Rec. will protect the entire line of receptacles, lighting, etc.

Lol I knw this is a little off topic.

MONKEY!!!!!!!!

Ihave been reading this thing for a long time and I have seen many typos I forget to put an and or in theere and you call me a MONKEY!!!You ^%$&*()7 retard I get everything inspected and pull all permits necessary, I have never failed any electrical work or have had any call backs if you want to be stupid keep your mouth shut so I and others dont have to suffer your existance.

Im sorry, Monkey was a poor choice of words. What I ment to say was that I have seen some un-informed individuals install multiple GFCI rec. on one circuit and this led to problems and calls afterwards.

Im sorry if you felt threatened. I didn mean anything about you.

Have a nice day.

Shalom

Lol you answered my question. What is the method to have an external bond conductor on a hot tub, sauna, etc that is not part of the main residential building.

Sir:

Drive in a copper ground rod 8 ft long and install a box with a buss bar inside, attach a 00 wire to the ground rod and ground each component to the buss bar through a non metal (Grey) conduit, I use insulated wire ( green ) and a weather proof box (Silver), I know that this is not necessary because the componets are also grounded to the breaker box, however I live in Wyoming and they use the common and the ground on the same bar, as I have gotten a respectable shock from the common under RARE Circumstances I don't trust it, I dont re wire everyone's house but I know what has happened to me so I place a seperate ground for the componets in question along with EITHER a GFCI Breaker OR a GFCI Outlet, I have discovered that if you use a GFCI Breaker Some MONKEY! might be tempted to tap in for other things, also in Wyoming these circuits have to be 20 amp, I dont know why but I have discovered that if I do it I dont have arguements with the inspectors and that can be counter productive.

The inspectors know me and they always pass my work even though they scratch their wooden noggen as to why I go so far above code but I have had no complaints.

I am well aware of the fact that more than one GFCI on one circuit can cause a terrible headache tracing down power failures and until I read your wise retort I didn't know why.

Please forgive my outburst as I am home sick and there are outside aggrevations,(not you) harassing me.

Peace!

Michael Amoroso

A short circuit always takes the easiest path to ground. Since the Hot Tub is outside the house to prevent lightening strikes from flowing current into your home fuse box, I would use both...

Regards, Tim

FWIW:

The NEC does not permit separate grounds unless the grounds are all bonded to a single point.Multiple UNBONDED ground rods can CREATE a potential (voltage) difference between them, introducing an unnescessary hazard.This is a case where more is not better.A single grounding point, with properly sized, unbroken, or cad welded grounding conductor is best. In areas where soil conductivity is very poor, multiple ground rods may be required, but they must all be bonded together and spaced less than 6 feet apart.

A properly installed GFIC will provide protection.Every electron that passes thru the hot wire has to return on the neutral wire or it trips.This means any leakage to ground will trip it.It does not provide short circuit protection (hot to neutral).It only provides protecton for a ground fault condition.