A hot tub is one of the most significant additions to your bathroom or deck. This is because it makes a perfect place to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate after a long, tiring day. Typically, there are two types of hot tubs, portable and built-in tubs. A portable hot tub is ready-made with all specifications and features, and all you need is to take them home, plug it onto a wall outlet, and you’re good to go. However, when it comes to built-in tubs, they must be hard-wired to a 50- or 60-amp breaker that is dedicated to it alone.
Considering the vast hot tub wiring resources and tools on the internet, some individuals think that they can DIY on this project. And the bugging question remains to be; Do you really need to hire an electrician for hot tub wiring? The answer to this question is a big Yes! And we are not saying this because we are electricians who are eyeing your hard-earned cash. It’s actually because we care about your safety and that of your family and friends.
Why You Should Let an Electrician Do the Wiring for Your Hot Tub
Safety
Hot tub wiring is not your usual kind of electrical job. It is one of the most dangerous tasks as it involves working with electricity and water. The risk of shock or electrocution extends from the moment you are setting it up to the moment you start using the hot tub.
So, for total safety, this kind of task should only be done by a qualified electrician who is versed and has extensive experience in the National Electrical Code. This code seeks to ensure that all standards are met by addressing all safe wiring requirements for hot tubs. A certified, licensed, and skilled electrician understands the intricacies of any wiring job, and they are capable and able to do what is required to ensure that safety is guaranteed.
Only an experienced and knowledgeable electrician can fathom the things involved in hot tub wiring.
Unlike the typical DIY wiring projects that you can read about or watch online resources and understand, hot tub wiring involves a lot of complicated stuff that only licensed and qualified electricians can understand. For starters, before you install a tub, you need to understand whether there is extra amperage in the current home breaker panel to add another powerful circuit breaker of 50 to 60 amp. This is something that only a professional electrician who is licensed will know.
Secondly, the distance between the location of the tub and the home’s panel breaker is also crucial. This is because there is a four-wire conduit that needs to run from the circuit breaker to the GFCI power connection in the tub. Another GFCI power cut-off on the exterior part of the tub needs to be connected to the central home breaker panel. Is this something you can do? Your answer is definitely NO!
Finally, there is the issue of bonding, which involves the capturing of short circuits and stray voltages emanating from either the heater, pump, or blower. Bonding creates robust pathways for stray current, thereby protecting hot tub users from electric shock.
Final Verdict,
No matter how sharp or skilled you think you are, you can’t comprehend all the steps and procedures involved in hot tub wiring. Therefore, it is imperative and prudent if you hire experienced electricians to install the hot tub for you, rather than DIY and put yourself, family, and friends at risk. Contact Fusion Electric today!
