I am trying to run wiring from my main service panel to a hot tub on our back porch. My father was an electrician, so I have a fairly good base of knowledge, but I wish he was alive to help me out. To save on the electrician install, I was going to install the 240 breaker in the box and then run wiring through the atic to the porch location. I am assuming I would need to run the wire through gray conduit pipe throughout the atic and then down from the ceiling to a dedicated service panel on the porch? The full run will be about 65'-75'. Don't most hot tubs run 6/3 cable? Will that long a run mean I should use heavier cable? I was going to hook up the wiring to the spa and just follow how it is wired at our old house before we move it, buy my wife is scared I'll make a mistake. I'm sure it would save a good bit to at least the cable run myself.:confused:

The instructions of the tub should tell you what he load in amps or watts is, or what the size circuit should be. Yes most tubs use #6 with a 50 breaker, and I don't think any are more than 60 amp.

THe length of your run is not that long to be concerned with voltage drop.

So what are you planning to use the gray conduit, which is PVC Schedule 40, or Romex cable? Don't try to push any cable through conduit, only individual wires.

The tub will need a service disconnect swith no closer than 5 feet from the tub, and this is where the GFI breaker usually is located. Also will need a 120 volt conveinence outlet no closer than 5 feet and no farther than 10 feet from the tub.

I didn't realize you couldn't use NM cable in the conduit. Is it best to run individual wires in conduit, or NM and no conduit? There is a 110 outlet about 7 feet from the location, and that is where I was also going to install the local switch with GFI.

Nonmetallic cable, called Romex, can be used, the entire run inside the home without conduit. Romex is only installed in conduits for very short runs where protection frpm physical damage is needed, but certainly not for long runs. It is much too difficult to pull through and the conduit would need to be greatly oversized.

If conduit is needed or desired, then individual wire is bought by cuts or 500 foot reels , bundled into a harness, dispensed right off the reels into a conduit system. This wire typically is THHN/THWN insulation and is available in the various typical colors.

But in a typical wood frame home, even for ranges,dryers, and hot tubs Romex cable is pulled.

Now outdoors, the wiring exposed from the disconnect, usually a GFI breaker located no closer than 5 foot to the tub, Romex is not allowed. Nonmetallic flexible conduit, called Sealtite or Liquidtite,with pulled THHN/THWN wires is typically used.

Would you put a connection box in the attic where the cable changes from romex to THHN wires? Would you just attach the connection box to a rafter? Thanks so much for your knowledge and help!!

I answered your PM.