Swim Spa Wire Gauge

[MattGarage]

Hi all, planning 240v outlet for a swim spa. The specs are as follows:

* Manufacturer calls for 50A service (want to do 60a)
* Calls for 6/3 wire with ground if distance under 40 feet
* My distance is about 105 feet (maybe add 10 ft to be conservative)
* Online wire calculators such as this appear to show that the 6 AWG would suffice with voltage drop < 3%. What should it be?
* All wiring would be outside/buried in conduit

I'm racking my brain on whether 4/3 would be appropriate or if I can rest easy that 6/3 would do the job.

Thank you!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Since its outside and underground, you cant use 6/3 NM-b

Best bet is to run conduit and THWN.

#6 cu should do fine at that distance

 

[mike93lx]

What wire type were you thinking? There isn't a 6/3 that makes sense for this (nm-b is against code and uf-b would be beyond miserable to use). Absolutely use thwn (or xhhw, but it will likely be more expensive and won't be better)

Make sure you get the conduit run completed and glued up before running wire.

I like to **** a pull rope through, then take the rope out and measure it. Takes all the guess work out of how much wire to buy.

Don’t go smaller than 1" Conduit, but I'd step up to 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 depending on the cost difference.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Manufacturer calls for 50A service (want to do 60a)

The Code requires the spa be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

 

[MattGarage]

What wire type were you thinking? There isn't a 6/3 that makes sense for this (nm-b is against code and uf-b would be beyond miserable to use). Absolutely use thwn (or xhhw, but it will likely be more expensive and won't be better)

Was going to go individual colored wire (thwn) but saw the 6/3 w ground documented. Glad you mentioned ufb almost got snookered into that.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

yeah skip any assembled type cable (NM-b, UF-b) and just go with individual conductors in conduit.

 

[mbatarga]

If it's a new spa, it is VERY likely the warranty requires you to wire it per specs. I've heard of instances where the first warranty service call is made and the tech spots something not to mfr specs. The warranty becomes void.

 

[dave*99]

There is a requirement in NEC 680.25 to feed pools using a separately insulated ground (EGC) The language in that section has changed over the various code cycles. Exceptions have been added and removed.

THWN will certainly work.

 

[MattGarage]

Mayday Mayday! I had to be a smart alec and buy the flexible conduit. 100 ft of this stuff. I tried to run some 90 lb paracord through it with a shopping bag attached (vacuum) but the friction built up about 50 ft in. The stuff isn't exactly slick inside. Now I wonder if it's going to be an unholy nightmare trying to pull the wire through. I don't have 100 ft clear to make it straight - more like 80 ft one way.

Any suggestions or should I just cut bait and get the straight conduit? Hoping to avoid setback but what fun is that?!

Thank you!

Edit: Google earth says I have 110 feet from sidewalk to back fence so I recon I can straight it out which should help. But I still have 125 feet of wire to fish through. Should be quite the scene for neighbors. Suggestions appreciated!

 

[Norcal]

Mayday Mayday! I had to be a smart alec and buy the flexible conduit. 100 ft of this stuff. I tried to run some 90 lb paracord through it with a shopping bag attached (vacuum) but the friction built up about 50 ft in. The stuff isn't exactly slick inside. Now I wonder if it's going to be an unholy nightmare trying to pull the wire through. I don't have 100 ft clear to make it straight - more like 80 ft one way.

Any suggestions or should I just cut bait and get the straight conduit? Hoping to avoid setback but what fun is that?!

Thank you!

Edit: Google earth says I have 110 feet from sidewalk to back fence so I recon I can straight it out which should help. But I still have 125 feet of wire to fish through. Should be quite the scene for neighbors. Suggestions appreciated!

You have a bit of a problem, it's not permitted in lengths over 6 feet with limited exceptions, metal clad cable might be a better choice.

 

[alfredeneuman]

it's not permitted in lengths over 6 feet with limited exceptions

It's next to impossible to pull the wire through any "extended" length, especially if it has bends.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Mayday Mayday! I had to be a smart alec and buy the flexible conduit. 100 ft of this stuff. I tried to run some 90 lb paracord through it with a shopping bag attached (vacuum) but the friction built up about 50 ft in. The stuff isn't exactly slick inside. Now I wonder if it's going to be an unholy nightmare trying to pull the wire through. I don't have 100 ft clear to make it straight - more like 80 ft one way.

Any suggestions or should I just cut bait and get the straight conduit? Hoping to avoid setback but what fun is that?!

Thank you!

Edit: Google earth says I have 110 feet from sidewalk to back fence so I recon I can straight it out which should help. But I still have 125 feet of wire to fish through. Should be quite the scene for neighbors. Suggestions appreciated!

shouldnt have bothered with that. its a fools errand to try and pull through it.

pull the string out and return it. then get some conduit..

 

[MattGarage]

shouldnt have bothered with that. its a fools errand to try and pull through it.

pull the string out and return it. then get some conduit..

Thanks all! Fortunately it was only above ground borking around getting the paracord through (beginner? yes).

Went to redneck heaven today (Home Depot) and picked up the real conduit. Went together like butter but haven't run the line yet. Very excited about getting there. Have some help getting final prep done and it's go time. Wish me luck!

PS - I hadn't found anything in the code previously along those lines and the products sold are very dodgy about the ability to use it but I did find the code details.

The funniest part of this is that the part where I actually need expertise - the wiring to the breaker box - I finished that in about 10 minutes. The rest is muscle!

Thanks again!

 

[dcg9381]

The other "gotcha" may be if it calls for 6/3 it may only fit 6 gauge on the spa side..

 

[MattGarage]

Got the wires through. It's almost as if using the right stuff makes everything go smoother!