We have received several requests recently to wire outlets for hot tubs, so here are some facts you need to know if you are considering adding a hot tub to your home. Whether you are adding an indoor spa or an outdoor hot tub, they both need the same power supply for the heating mechanism.
How Many Amps for a Hot Tub?
The normal power supply for a hot tub or spa is 220/240 volts and somewhere in the range of 30-60 amps. There are smaller spas and tubs that operate on 110/120 volts, but this article is directed at 220/240 volt systems. Your electrical service must be able to supply that load, but almost all houses built in the last 50 years will have at least a 100 amp service. If you have an older home with a smaller service than 100 amps, you will need to upgrade it before installing a hot tub. We can access power through the crawl space, basement, through the attic, or out from the panel around the home.
Safety Requirements for Hot Tub Installations
There are specific technical requirements and may be additional local codes for hot tub installation. We want to make sure that hot tub installers and occupants remain safe and that fires like this one are prevented.
The following safety considerations should be incorporated into every installation:
- Emergency shut off: A clearly labeled water-tight emergency switch must be easily accessible to users and located not less than 5 feet away in direct line of sight of the hot tub. The typical disconnect switch is a large red push button on a nearby wall or fence.
- GFCI: Whenever water and electricity meet, there is a danger of electrocution, so every hot tub needs a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI.)
- Power Lines: Do not install a hot tub under any power lines.
- Avoid Underground Wiring: If possible, don’t run wiring under an outdoor hot tub. If space constraints prevent wiring from being at least 5 feet away, underground wiring should be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit or a nonmetallic raceway system that is listed for direct burial. Then it must be buried. The minimum depth is 6 inches for metal raceways and 18 inches for nonmetallic raceways.
- Don’t install low-voltage lighting within 10 feet of the hot tub, even if it is GFCI protected, which is required by code.
Get Professional Installation
The best advice we can give to a homeowner is do not do this yourself. Unless you are a licensed electrician, you should not be wiring a hot tub with a 220/240 volt electrical circuit. It can kill you if you make one wrong move. Please contact Frye Electric for wiring a hot tub or spa in your home or apartment complex. We’ll make sure the connections are safe, water-tight, and that the installation meets all code requirements.
Frye Electric, Inc. is locally owned and operated and has been servicing Indiana for over 37 years. Quality is value, and we value our customers and our reputation as a trusted and dependable electrical contractor in Indiana. We are hopeful that you will give Frye Electric, Inc. the chance to earn your business.
Get your hot tub safely up and running! Call us today at (317) 659-6899.