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-   -   New hot tub (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=187887)

  • Feb 24, 2008, 06:15 PM
    mikegd44
    New hot tub
    I just installed a new hot tub that required 50amp breaker and a 240v service. I had to install a sub panel and move breakers ove to that in order to get the 50amp breaker for the hot tub. I ran about 75 feet of 6-3 wire to a GFCI breaker and the ran the 6-3 wire to the hot tub. After I got everything hooked up and running I am no having problems with outlets not working right like the clothes dryer not wanting to start and the microwave not working right. Everything looks good on the main and sub panels all voltage readking are good but still can't figure out why the drop in voltage to something's.
  • Feb 24, 2008, 06:42 PM
    stanfortyman
    First off, where are the breakers for the items not working right? In the sub panel I assume.
    What brand is the main panel? If it is GE or FPE there is a real chance you installed the sub-feed breaker incorrectly. With those panels you can easily install the 2-pole breaker with both stabs on the same leg of the service. This will give you only 120v to the whole sub-panel instead of the required 120/240v.

    Second, did you get this tub inspected? I hope so but I assume not.
    If you ran 6/3 cable to the tub outside the house this is very illegal. You MUST run conductors in conduit using an insulated ground for the outside portion of the wiring to a spa or hot tub.
    Are you aware of the other important codes related to wiring a spa or hot tub? This is NO place you want to mess around if you are not sure of what you are doing.
  • Feb 25, 2008, 04:12 AM
    mikegd44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    First off, where are the breakers for the items not working right? In the sub panel I assume.
    What brand is the main panel? If it is GE or FPE there is a real chance you installed the sub-feed breaker incorrectly. With those panels you can easily install the 2-pole breaker with both stabs on the same leg of the service. This will give you only 120v to the whole sub-panel instead of the required 120/240v.

    Second, did you get this tub inspected? I hope so but I assume not.
    If you ran 6/3 cable to the tub outside the house this is very illegal. You MUST run conductors in conduit using an insulated ground for the outside portion of the wiring to a spa or hot tub.
    Are you aware of the other important codes related to wiring a spa or hot tub? This is NO place you want to mess around if you are not sure of what you are doing.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The main is a GE I got the sub breaker on the right legs because I have 120/240v on the sub panel. I ran the 6-3 cable in 3/4" liquid tight conduit with all the right connections to a GFCI breaker and then to the hot tub. I started checking the main panel last night and found that the voltage was different on several breakers it would be 138 on one and the nest would be 116 I turned the main breaker off and back on and all the voltage went back to normal. Not sure why this is happening .
  • Feb 25, 2008, 05:00 AM
    stanfortyman
    From your description you have an open or compromised neutral somewhere in or before the main panel. This is what would give you an "up on one leg, and down on the other" syndrome.

    Is this tub outside?
  • Feb 25, 2008, 03:41 PM
    Stratmando
    Check voltage on load side of Main, with all other Breakers off. Hot to hot, Hots to neutral, and hots to ground. Check line side also with all breakers off also.
  • Feb 25, 2008, 07:26 PM
    mikegd44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    From your description you have an open or compromised neutral somewhere in or before the main panel. This is what would give you an "up on one leg, and down on the other" syndrome.

    Is this tub outside?
    Yes the tub is out side about 100' from the sub panel. The wire runs to a GFCI which is 10' from the tub and then to the tub.
  • Feb 27, 2008, 05:29 AM
    mikegd44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Stratmando
    Check voltage on load side of Main, with all other Breakers off. Hot to hot, Hots to neutral, and hots to ground. Check line side also with all breakers off also.

    What am I looking for while checking these?
    One other thing that I have noticed since I installed the ho tub is the lights in my house are starting to dim and flicker at times.
  • Feb 27, 2008, 05:30 AM
    mikegd44
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    From your description you have an open or compromised neutral somewhere in or before the main panel. This is what would give you an "up on one leg, and down on the other" syndrome.

    Is this tub outside?

    What do you mean by compromised neutral?
  • Feb 27, 2008, 06:43 AM
    Stratmando
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mikegd44
    What am I looking for while checking these?
    One other thing that I have noticed since i installed the ho tub is the lights in my house are starting to dim and flicker at times.
    You need to find the cause of the ODD voltages, Could be a Neutral as mentioned, or a hot open(or half breaker opened) back feeding to give the High voltage. The couple of test earlier described will help determine wher the problem is. 138 is not normal.

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