How to Prepare Your Electrical System for a New Hot Tub
Did you know there are approximately 7.2 million hot tubs in the United States?
Whether the hot tubs are indoors or outdoors, Americans love to enjoy hot tubs all year round.
Before you can enjoy your time in a hot tub, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. The first step is to prepare your electrical system.
Read on to learn how to prepare the hot tub wiring before installation.
Electrical Requirements
As with any major appliance that requires a lot of electricity, you have to ensure your electric system can handle the extra load. If your house is between 30 to 40 years old, you might have nothing to worry about since they usually have at least 100 amps.
Newer houses have between 150 to 200 Amps, which is a perfect electrical service for a hot tub.
240V & 120V Hot Tubs
If you want to install a 240V spa, for example, you will have to make sure it’s supplied by a circuit that meets the amperage required. The necessary amperage is often stated in the owner’s manual.
On the side of the service panel, you will see the specified size of the feeder breaker. You also have to ensure the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) disconnect breaker is at least the same size to keep things safe.
For a typical home spa installation, you will need at least the three following things:
- A House Circuit Breaker Panel
- Outside Disconnect GFCI Box
- The Spa Control System Box
The disconnect breaker needs to be at a distance of at least 5 feet away. For a hot tub that uses 120V, it has to be at least 10-20 feet away.
To install a 240V hot tub, you need a 4-wire hook-up plus an AWG number 6 copper wire.
Other Installation Procedures
After you get a sense of the wiring requirements, you need to prepare for the installation of the hot tub.
Depending on where you live, you have to make sure you don’t need a building permit. Before you violate any laws, make sure you don’t need a permit before installing your hot tub.
You will also need to choose the location of the hot tub. Depending on local building codes, you will need to have the hot tub installed with about 5 feet between your home and property line.
Other building codes require the hot tub to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and 5 feet away from the hot tub panel.
It’s important your electrician also creates a power route for the hot tub. They will likely know what type of conduit is necessary for the installation. Some conduits are above ground and others underground.
Aside from the electrical requirements of the hot tub, the pump also requires a separate 50-amp GFCI.
Hot Tub Wiring Basics: The Bottom Line
Now that you know more about hot tub wiring basics, you’ll know what to expect when you install your new hot tub.
Remember that hot tub installation requires a professional electrician.
Need help with your hot tub installation? Contact us today for a free estimate.
