Ask Me Help Desk - Whirlpool Wiring

Hi
I installed a whirlpool tub and I need to connect the pump. I know it requires a dedicated circuit but is almost impossible. I decided to use the washer machine circuit (is the only consumer). Anybody has an idea what would be the risks besides code violation?
In connection with this: the wire from the main panel to the junction box is an old 12 cupper, but the ground wire is probably 18 or so. Will it be a problem if I connect this with the ground from a different circuit in the house where I have a 12 ground?

Thank you

Not recommended mixing ground wires from different circuits.

The #18 ground I realize came with the older cables.

This will be protected by a GFI device, which will help protect you, even if there was no ground at all.

I suggest using the washer circuit, if absolutely necessary.

Obviously, my strong recommendation is to install a proper circuit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

Not recommended mixing ground wires from different circuits.

The #18 ground I realize came with the older cables.

This will be protected by a GFI device, which will help protect you, even if there was no ground at all.

I suggest using the washer circuit, if absolutely necessary.

Obviously, my strong recommendation is to install a proper circuit.

Thanks for answering tkrussell.
Unless I take down 20 feet of celling that's no way I can run a dedicated circuit.

One more thing: the manufacture recommends a 15 amps circuit and a 20amps GFCI... how this works?

Thanks again

Quote:

Originally Posted by visa666

Hi
I installed a whirlpool tub and I need to connect the pump. I know it requires a

Thank you

First of all you say that it is nearly impossible to install the wiring . That is not true . It is actually very easy to install a new dedicated circuit to this whirlpool . I know I know , how can you say that when you don't know how my house was built ? But I do know how your house is built . The first thing you should realize is that you're being cheap . The second thing that you should realize is that you're fooling around with electricity and water . Enjoy a nice relaxing soak in the tub knowing that the person who wired it has no idea whether it is going to electrocute somebody . If your house is built on a slab which is the only reason why I could think that it would be difficult to install the dedicated circuit you simply Hire an electrician to cut the sheet rock which is about as difficult to cut as cardboard . All a qualified electrician would have to do is cut the sheet rock above the electrical panel and cut the sheet rock in the bedroom directly above the garage where the panel is usually located . No matter where the panel is located A qualified electrician will simply go inside the house and cut holes in the sheet rock above the panel and go to the second floor if there is one and cut two more holes in the wall to get the wire into the attic . Then you're qualified electrician will find a wall in the home that is contiguous From the first floor to the second floor in the area of the said whirlpool tub . Then the qualified electrician will run the wire down into the first floor and install an outlet . This outlet has to be ground fault circuit interrupter protected and needs to be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit . With the diminished ground that you describe in a fault current situation the ground can burn in half and someone may get electrocuted . An electrician cannot run to another circuit to get the ground wire because this is illegal and stupid . In the case of electricity there are laws for a reason , unlike the tax code . According to the national electrical code you need to run the ground wire all the way back to the main electrical panel should you desire to ground an outlet that is not grounded . Which basically means hire an electrician to just install a new circuit . You cannot have a qualified electrician tap off the washing machine circuit because of the national electrical code but also because the combined load of the motor in the whirlpool tub and the motor inside the washing machine will exceed 80% of the breaker value being 16 A . When you exceed this amount of current the breaker will start to trip and or burn up inside . Don't pay some jacked leg electrician to jury rig your whirlpool tub . And certainly don't do illegal electrical work yourself . Save up the money that you're making at the buy more and pay someone to do it right. Pull an electrical permit and afterwards sit in your whirlpool tub and enjoy a nice relaxing bath with piece of mind knowing that your chances of getting electrocuted have been diminished by about 99% . Link Removed

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectricianMan

First of all you say that it is nearly impossible to install the wiring . That is not true . It is actually very easy to install a new dedicated circuit to this whirlpool . I know I know , how can you say that when you don't know how my house was built ? But I do know how your house is built . The first thing you should realize is that you're being cheap . The second thing that you should realize is that you're fooling around with electricity and water . Enjoy a nice relaxing soak in the tub knowing that the person who wired it has no idea whether or not it is going to electrocute somebody . If your house is built on a slab which is the only reason why I could think that it would be difficult to install the dedicated circuit you simply Hire an electrician to cut the sheet rock which is about as difficult to cut as cardboard . all a qualified electrician would have to do is cut the sheet rock above the electrical panel and cut the sheet rock in the bedroom directly above the garage where the panel is usually located . No matter where the panel is located A qualified electrician will simply go inside the house and cut holes in the sheet rock above the panel and go to the second floor if there is one and cut two more holes in the wall to get the wire into the attic . Then you're qualified electrician will find a wall in the home that is contiguous From the first floor to the second floor in the area of the said whirlpool tub . Then the qualified electrician will run the wire down into the first floor and install an outlet . This outlet has to be ground fault circuit interrupter protected and needs to be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit . With the diminished ground that you describe in a fault current situation the ground can burn in half and someone may get electrocuted . An electrician cannot run to another circuit to get the ground wire because this is illegal and stupid . In the case of electricity there are laws for a reason , unlike the tax code . According to the national electrical code you need to run the ground wire all the way back to the main electrical panel should you desire to ground an outlet that is not grounded . Which basically means hire an electrician to just go ahead and install a new circuit . You cannot have a qualified electrician tap off the washing machine circuit because of the national electrical code but also because the combined load of the motor in the whirlpool tub and the motor inside the washing machine will exceed 80% of the breaker value being 16 A . when you exceed this amount of current the breaker will start to trip and or burn up inside . Don't pay some jacked leg electrician to jury rig your whirlpool tub . And certainly don't do illegal electrical work yourself . Save up the money that you're making at the buy more and pay someone to do it right. Pull an electrical permit and afterwards sit in your whirlpool tub and enjoy a nice relaxing bath with piece of mind knowing that your chances of getting electrocuted have been diminished by about 99% . Link Removed

I shouldn’t bother but... you either didn't get the question or you love blogging!
How is "fishing" wires trough walls accepted by the code? In our area they have to be stapled on the stud every 4 feet? It sounds like a "jacked leg electrician" job
.

Maybe you should read the code more closely before making comments like that . Stapling is only required "when accessible " and not when pulling a wire through a closed wall. Furthermore, When wire is pulled horizontally through a wall it is only stapled at the boxes.

I'm disappointed by many of the above comments...
Being safe by doing a job correctly is far less expensive than Arc flash burns
Or electrocution... (Any one have kids?)
Article 406 in the NEC gives a few options for older wiring that may be difficult
To replace...
Article 334, in particular 334.30 defines the requirements for installing NM cable...
Please correct me with some specific code language but I believe as a homeowner in the United States you have the right to submit for a building permit to wire your house... I did
(If you do, be careful)

I understand the difficult economy that has been given to us but let's keep the more important things ahead of saving a few dollars or a few minutes...

HFC, my comments were directed to VISA 666 not you.

ma0641, Yes Sir, as were mine... general commentary was to bring up specific
code sections and quote the article when possible to provide those who visit this site with
the basis for our comments, we don't make this stuff up!
I would hope to add some value here as you obviously have... thanks