Can hot tub power be converted to a plug?

[Simple Sam]

I just entered into a contract to purchase a house (several hours away) and am already trying to figure out what needs to be done. When I viewed the house, I noted that it had previously had a hot tub and it had 220V wiring at the location. Like everything else in the house, it appears to have been done professionally. There is underground conduit leading to a circuit box attached to the fence and about 5 feet of wire with that flexible cover on it. Is it simple for an electrician to convert that to a plug in 220V? I have no need for a hot tub but if it was cheap enough, a 220V plug might come in handy.

 

[pattenp]

Should be a simple job.

 

[Highbeam]

Yes. Easy. You can also utilize that 240 volt feed for a subpanel if the hot tub was done to modern standards.

 

[Simple Sam]

Yes. Easy. You can also utilize that 240 volt feed for a subpanel if the hot tub was done to modern standards.

Care to elaborate on that thought? I'm not familiar with electrical systems so I don't know why I would want a subpanel. What would a subpanel get me? The house was built in Reno in 1996 so the electrical would be no older than that. The wiring is in the backyard, attached to the fence, next to where the hot tub had been.

 

[Highbeam]

The circuit is most likely either a 50 or 60 amp 4 wire circuit which could be extended to power a subpanel in a shed or garage. From there you could have many circuits and plugs providing 240 or 120 volt power without having to run back to the panel.

I don't know why you would need a 240 plug outdoors but you might also need a supanel. The hot tub wiring is not a waste.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Care to elaborate on that thought? I'm not familiar with electrical systems so I don't know why I would want a subpanel. What would a subpanel get me? The house was built in Reno in 1996 so the electrical would be no older than that. The wiring is in the backyard, attached to the fence, next to where the hot tub had been.

You can use the hot tub feeder to feed a subpanel which could then be used to feed branch circuits. Since its outside on a fence the only thing i can think of using a subpanel for is either a shed or an outside kitchen/bar b q area!!

 

[gregtwojeeps]

A Nema 3R subpanel would come in handy if you wanted to add say, multiple 120 volt gfci receptacles to plug in Christmas decorations or such and put them on dedicated breakers. I doubt the SPA disconnect has a neutral conductor though, so a subpanel feeding 120 outlets would be out of the question if it doesnt.

Your SPA disconnect is probably on a 50/60 amp two pole breaker. This would make a nice welder receptacle for out side use if every needed. Or, just take the wires out of the waterproof flex and let the disconnect sit there. Never know when you may want an above ground pool with filtration or maybe a spa, they are great in my opinion. good luck.

 

[Fifty]

I have a little subpanel with a 50A 240v RV type cord on it. From there I split it up into 5 different 20A 120v circuits and a 30A RV circuit. Like those portable "spider boxes" they use on job sites but it cost me about $50 to build.

 

[Highbeam]

I doubt the SPA disconnect has a neutral conductor though, so a subpanel feeding 120 outlets would be out of the question if it doesnt.

It should have a neutral. It should be a 4 wire circuit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It should have a neutral. It should be a 4 wire circuit.

Not necessarily. Not all tubs are rated 120v/240v....some are 240v only.

 

[Simple Sam]

Thanks for the responses; looks like I have some upgrade potential!