Section E4202 Wiring Methods for Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Hydromassage Bathtubs

Wiring methods used in conjunction with permanently installed swimming pools, spas, hot tubs or hydromassage bathtubs shall be installed in accordance with Table E4202.1 and Chapter 38 except as otherwise stated in this section. Storable swimming pools shall comply with Section E4207. [680.7; 680.21(A); 680.23(B) and (F); 680.25(A); 680.42; 680.43; and 680.70]

TABLE E4202.1 ALLOWABLE APPLICATIONS FOR WIRING METHODS^{a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, k}

WIRING LOCATION OR PURPOSE (Application allowed where marked with an "A")	AC, FMC, NM, SR, SE	EMT	ENT	IMCi, RMCi, RNCh	LFMC	LFNMC	UF	MCj	FLEX CORD
Panelboard(s) that supply pool equipment: from service equipment to panelboard	Ab, e SR not permitted	Ac	Ab	A	‒	A	Ae	Ae	‒
Wet-niche and no-niche luminaires: from branch circuit OCPD to deck or junction box	ACb only	Ac	Ab	A	‒	A	‒	Ab	‒
Wet-niche and no-niche luminaires: from deck or junction box to forming shell	‒	‒	‒	Ad	‒	A	‒	‒	Ag
Dry niche: from branch circuit OCPD to luminaires	ACb only	Ac	Ab	A	‒	A	‒	Ab	‒
Pool-associated motors: from branch cir- cuit OCPD to motor	Ab	Ac	Ab	A	Ae	Ae	Ab	A	Ag
Packaged or self-contained outdoor spas and hot tubs with underwater luminaire: from branch circuit OCPD to spa or hot tub	ACb only	Ac	Ab	A	Af	Af	‒	Ab	Ag
Packaged or self-contained outdoor spas and hot tubs without underwater luminaire: from branch circuit OCPD to spa or hot tub	Ab	Ac	Ab	A	Af	Af	Ab	A	Ag
Indoor spas and hot tubs, hydromassage bathtubs, and other pool, spa or hot tub associated equipment: from branch circuit OCPD to equipment	Ab	Ac	Ab	A	A	A	A	A	Ag
Connection at pool lighting transformers or power supplies	ACb only	Ac	Ab	A	Al, f	Af	‒	Ab	‒

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a. For all wiring methods, see Section E4205 for equipment grounding conductor requirements.

b. Limited to use within buildings.

c. Limited to use on or within buildings.

d. Metal conduit shall be constructed of brass or other approved corrosion-resistant metal.

e. Limited to where necessary to employ flexible connections at or adjacent to a pool motor.

f. Sections installed external to spa or hot tub enclosure limited to individual lengths not to exceed 6 feet. Length not limited inside spa or hot tub enclosure.

g. Flexible cord shall be installed in accordance with Section E4202.2.

h. Nonmetallic conduit shall be rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit Type PVC or reinforced thermosetting resin conduit Type RTRC.

i. Aluminum conduits shall not be permitted in the pool area where subject to corrosion.

j. Where installed as direct burial cable or in wet locations, Type MC cable shall be listed and identified for the location.

k. See Section E4202.3 for listed, double-insulated pool pump motors.

l. Limited to use in individual lengths not to exceed 6 feet. The total length of all individual runs of LFMC shall not exceed 10 feet.

Flexible cords used in conjunction with a pool, spa, hot tub or hydromassage bathtub shall be installed in accordance with the following:

1. For other than underwater luminaires, fixed or stationary equipment shall be permitted to be connected with a flexible cord to facilitate removal or disconnection for maintenance or repair. For other than storable pools, the flexible cord shall not exceed 3 feet (914 mm) in length. Cords that supply swimming pool equipment shall have a copper equipment grounding conductor not smaller than 12 AWG and shall terminate in a grounding-type attachment plug. [680.7(A), (B), and (C); 680.21(A)(5)]

2. Other than listed low-voltage lighting systems not requiring grounding, wet-niche luminaires that are supplied by a flexible cord or cable shall have all exposed noncurrent-carrying metal parts grounded by an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor that is an integral part of the cord or cable. Such grounding conductor shall be connected to a grounding terminal in the supply junction box, transformer enclosure, or other enclosure and shall be not smaller than the supply conductors and not smaller than 16 AWG. [680.23(B)(3)]

3. A listed packaged spa or hot tub installed outdoors that is GFCI protected shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected provided that such cord does not exceed 15 feet (4572 mm) in length. [680.42(A)(2)]

4. A listed packaged spa or hot tub rated at 20 amperes or less and installed indoors shall be permitted to be cord-and-plug-connected to facilitate maintenance and repair. (680.43 Exception No. 1)

5. For other than underwater and storable pool lighting luminaire, the requirements of Item 1 shall apply to any cord-equipped luminaire that is located within 16 feet (4877 mm) radially from any point on the water surface. [680.22(B)(5)]

A listed cord and plug-connected pool pump incorporating an approved system of double insulation that provides a means for grounding only the internal and nonaccessible, noncurrent-carrying metal parts of the pump shall be connected to any wiring method recognized in Chapter 38 that is suitable for the location. Where the bonding grid is connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit in accordance with Section E4204.2, Item 6.1, the branch circuit wiring shall comply with Sections E4202.1 and E4205.5. [680.21(B)]