Wiring Used for Inground Swimming Pools

Wiring

• When wiring the lights for an in-ground pool, the wires need to be surrounded by a rigid, waterproof conduit. This cannot be made of aluminum due to risk of corrosion from pool water. From the underwater lights to the junction box, you must use around the wires brass conduit or another type of metal approved for use around the pool. The grounding wires for the motor cannot be smaller than 12 American wire gauge copper wire. For lights, an 8 AWG copper conductor wire is used.

Disconnect

• A readily accessible electric cut-off box must be within 5 feet of the pool and in direct sight of what it controls. This is needed for non-grounded wires for pool equipment, but it is not required for lighting. For instance, if you have an ungrounded pool motor, you will need a disconnect box within 5 feet of the motor. Make sure that each shut-off control you have is clearly labeled to make finding the right one easy in an emergency.

Outlets

• Outlets within 6 feet of the pool must be equipped with a ground fault interrupter circuit. These are designed to cut power to the outlet if it detects a difference in the current from hot to neutral. Homes use GFCI outlets in areas near water, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Water around the pool poses a shock hazard, which can be prevented by installing GFCI outlets in the area around an in-ground pool.

Bonding Grid

• Equipotental bonding grid is a metal grid that ties together all metal parts of your pool with the electric equipment to create a ground. This metal grid is installed under the concrete surrounding your pool to provide numerous paths for electricity to flow, instead of only through you. This safety mechanism is not strictly part of the electrical wiring, but it is a vital component of keeping the pool area safe. This grid must extend 3 feet around the perimeter of the pool.