View Full Version : Running new power to above ground pool
shrockland
May 3, 2008, 06:28 AM
I need to get power to my above ground pool it is approx.100 feet from the elecrical panel what size wire do I need and when I bury it does it need to be in conduit?
quadragin
May 6, 2008, 09:34 PM
You can run direct bury romex, for that run I would use 10/2 with a ground.
Typical 20Amp circuit is 12/2 romex you might get away with 12/2 but above ground pool pumps are 110volt and pull large amps like in the 15 amp range.
You might want to run 12/3 and see if your pump will run on 220 about 4 amp draw.
By the way 12 = 12 gauge and the 2 = 2 wires.
You will also need to install a 20 amp GFCI Breaker, or get an outdoor GFI plug and box.
DO NOT RUN extension cords as you will burn up your pump.
jack dandy
May 7, 2008, 07:27 AM
I heard through an electrician I talked to after I had my pool installed that 220 is the better way to go as far as cost and wear and tear on your electric motor in the long run its better.
tkrussell
May 7, 2008, 02:05 PM
The advice you received regarding the cable is absolutely incorrect.
First off, Romex is never allowed to be buried. It cannot be in any wet location. Let alone in the ground.
There is a cable that looks like Romex, but is it called UF cable, and is allowed to be buried,
However,
UF cable is not allowed to be used for pool wiring either.
Most locations allow widely used Sch 40 PVC conduit, complete with all fittings , and pulled through THHN/THWN or XHHW wire.
Pool wiring is very critical. Best to contact your local electrical inspector. Each state and city can have their own specific requirements for pools, along with the National Electric Code.Many will have a detailed sketch showing exactly what is expected.
Use 240 volt rated motors if available. They don't run any more efficient, but the higher voltage will help with the voltage drop. The distance you have will require voltage calculations to be done, based on the voltage, HP of the motor, type of wire used, etc. Guessing here does not work.
I am the first to help a DIY'er, but with pools, there are many various requirements all changing with the wide differences of the situation.
Ground fault breakers, special grounding, locations of outlets and lighting, only to name a few.
Best to call in a pro on this.
kenjr1960
Apr 8, 2010, 08:41 PM
I am installing a above ground pool about 250ft from my house, I know there is a voltage drop,motor is 115v and 12 amps, what size wire and gfci breaker should I use.
tkrussell
Apr 9, 2010, 02:47 AM
For the data provided , this motor will need #6 copper.
Better of using a 240 volt motor, same size would need #12 wire.
kenjr1960
Apr 9, 2010, 06:11 AM
So, your saying 240 volt motor use #12 wire and 2 pole 20 amp gfci breaker. And at the motor I will have 240volts ?
tkrussell
Apr 9, 2010, 06:47 AM
Yes, but the motor will need to be rated and connected for 240 volts.
This assumes the motor will be 6 amps at 240 volts.
A 2 pole 240 Volt GFI circuit breaker will be needed.
davesmth41
May 16, 2010, 07:18 AM
I just got done doing this same thing, and the variance in code is crazy from town to town. I ran a new service cable 4-4 from the main panel to my shed where I installed a 100 amp sub panel (180 feet). Also be careful, our local home depot told me 18 inches buried was satisfactory where in reality I had to go 36 inches (rented trench digger for this $114 for the day). I then ran 12-3 UF in conduit from the shed sub panel to the pool power post (40ft). All cables had to have 5 ft of conduit going into/out of the ground. I did all the work, had an electrician verify and sign off my permit ($86) and make my connections. Inspector was thrilled and I am all done. All in all, about $700, service cable is not cheap.
tjf101
Aug 3, 2010, 04:14 PM
If you use 240v instead of 120v it will cut the amount of amps the motor pulls in half, which in turn will lower your electric bill. I do not believe you need #6 for a 240' run. Voltage drop does not play much of a factor until you pass 300'.
mikeyb100
Mar 10, 2012, 09:17 PM
I have a 24 ft above ground pool. Me and my wife bought are home with this pool already here but as soon as we got the pool running the pump stopoped working so I got another pump and it has done fine for 2 years now nut it gets really hot to the point you can't touch it and it has shut off before on its own.im curious if its running on 220 or 110 I don't know wich one though and witch one would be better it's a 2 hp hayward pump
monster88
Apr 15, 2012, 09:29 AM
How far away does the gfci plug need to be from the pool?
monster88
Apr 15, 2012, 09:31 AM
I already ran the plug from my panel to the pool and it about 5 feet from the pool wall is that OK. The run is about 120 ft from panel to the pool.
monster88
Apr 15, 2012, 09:33 AM
I want to get my electrical inspected this week and is $80 for inspection good or bad?
monster88
Apr 15, 2012, 09:34 AM
Why do we need a gfci plug any ways. I already ran a plug for my pool to run the pump?
monster88
Apr 15, 2012, 09:36 AM
My pool is about 10 ft away from my house.
O7ROADKING
Jun 4, 2012, 09:38 AM
You information is incorrect.the only reason it is cheaper to run a motor at 240 volts is it allows you to run smaller wire. A 1 HP motor cost the same to run on 240 volts as it does at 110 volts 746 watts is 746 watts.it may be a tad more efficient but you won't see it in your bill .and as a rule of thumb after 100 feet voltage drop is an issue the lower the voltage the more and issue it becomes.and the last thing you should be doing is giving bogus information on wiring swimming pools.you will get somebody killed!