How to Install a Grounding Rod for a Hot Tub

Grounding rods can add a margin of safety to conductive objects like pools or hot tubs. When the tub is connected to the grounding rod, electricity from a lightning strike will be directed to ground -- in this case the ground itself -- preventing or mitigating electrical shock to people in the tub. For proper safety, the ground rod must be installed properly.

Garden trowel
Sledgehammer
Grounding clamp
Screwdriver
14-gauge solid copper wire

Instructions

- 1
  Pick a location about 12 inches from the subpanel that powers the hot tub's heater, lights and jets.
- 2
  Dig a small hole, about 8 inches deep, with a garden trowel.
- 3
  Insert the end of the grounding rod into the hole and have an assistant hold it upright.
- 4
  Hammer the rod into the ground with a sledgehammer until 12 inches of the grounding rod remains above ground.
- 5
  Place a grounding clamp onto the grounding rod and tighten the clamp with a screwdriver.
- 6
  Turn off the power coming to the hot tub's subpanel at the home's main breaker box. Loosen the grounding screw on the subpanel, located below the circuit breaker, and attach one end of 14-gauge copper wire to the screw. Tighten the screw.
- 7
  Wrap the other end around the grounding post clamp's set screw and tighten the screw. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker panel.

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