Electrical Wiring for Hot Tubs

Electrical Requirements

• Most hot tubs require a 240 volt power source, with the exception of smaller models or those intended for warm climates, which require 120 volts. Hot tubs also require a ground fault interrupter, which is often included in the hot tub equipment set. Depending on the model and make, your hot tub will be a 30, 40, 50 or 60 amp system. Most homes have at least 100 amp service and many newer homes have 150 to 200 amp service.

3-Wire vs. 4-Wire

• Hot tubs use either three-wire or four-wire systems. The latter is common in hot tubs that use 120V ozonator, pump or air blowers. Four-wire systems use electrical circuits that provide two hot wires, one neutral wire and one ground wire. Three-wire systems are basically the same but without the neutral wire. Ask the manufacturer what type of wire circuitry your tub uses or consult the owner’s manual. This information is usually printed in the first few pages under “electrical requirements” or similar title. Never connect a four-wire hot tub to a three-wire service. Use high-quality copper conductors instead of aluminum or copper-coated aluminum.

PVC Pipe and Fittings

• Installing a PVC conduit pipe around the wiring is highly recommended for buried conduits. Four wires will easily fit in a 1-inch PVC pipe and allow for smooth pulling. Bury the wiring at least 18 inches into the ground. Use 90-degree PVC elbows for corner bends to avoid pinching the wires. You might need to use frost expansion joints where the conduit pipe comes out of the ground. Use threaded PVC terminal adapters to connect the conduit to the electrical box.

Precautions

• When installing the electrical wiring for a hot tub, keep a number of precautions in mind. Never install a hot tub under power lines or within 10 feet of outdoor lighting. Read the hot tub owner’s manual carefully before beginning any kind of installation, and always consult with a electrician if you have doubts. If you hire an electrician to do the job, ensure that he has experience working with the type of wire system your hot tub uses, in this case four-wire or three-wire. Have the electrician test the entire system before you use the hot tub.