Grounding Requirement for Pool Equipment

Grounding

• When it comes to electrical equipment, grounding refers to connecting electrical circuits to the earth itself or to a device that acts as a stand-in. The ground absorbs electrical charges without catching fire, overloading or otherwise changing; this makes it an ideal place to discharge excess electricity. Grounding your pool equipment helps to prevent static electricity from building up and leading to the risk of electrocution. It also provides extra protection against surges in the current.

Code Requirements

• Pool equipment that must be grounded includes underwater lights, electrical equipment in your backyard located within 5 feet of the pool, circulating pumps and junction boxes. If the pool equipment connects to an electrical panel board inside your house, then the grounding conductor must be located by your home. If the panel board is located in an outbuilding, such as a pool house, then the grounding conductor should be placed there. Grounding conductors are buried in the earth to discharge electricity safely away from people or other electrical equipment.

Other Measures

• In addition to requiring grounding conductors for pool equipment, the National Electric Code imposes other safety requirements. Each electric receptacle near the pool and for pool equipment should be equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The electrical circuit for the GFCIs should be grounded. All wiring for the pool equipment must meet the NEC requirements for outdoor use. The wiring inside your pool house can branch off from the same panel board that serves your pool equipment, but that branch circuit doesn’t need to be rated for outdoor use.

Considerations

• Grounding equipment is typically constructed of copper, aluminum or copper clad aluminum. The size of the grounding conductor needed for pool equipment depends on how much equipment you have and how powerful it is. Because the risk of injury or death from electrical shock increases around water, code requirements are stricter around pools. Have a licensed electrician install the grounding equipment for your pool to be sure your home is completely up to code.