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    jbuda's Avatar
    jbuda Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 19, 2006, 07:42 AM
    Spa and GFCI wiring
    I have a 240 amp line that is powering a hot tub installed before I bought the house. The line comes off the main panel in the house through a 50 amp breaker and is routed through a 30 amp GFCI and then to the tub. Pushing the test button on the GFCI does not trip the GFCI. Likewise, manually tripping the GFCI does not cut power to the spa. I opened the GFCI panel face and it is wired as noted below:


    Red (hot) from house connected directly to the red going to the tub with a wire nut

    Black (hot) from house connected directly to the black going to the tub with a wire nut

    White (neutral) from the house connected directly to the white going to the tub with a wire nut

    Ground wire from house connected to a ground bar

    Ground wire going to tub connected to same ground bar

    Wire connecting ground bar to GFCI

    My question is - is this wired incorrectly or is the GFCI simply defective?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Nov 19, 2006, 12:31 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by jbuda
    I have a 240 amp line that is powering a hot tub installed before I bought the house. The line comes off the main panel in the house through a 50 amp breaker and is routed through a 30 amp GFCI and then to the tub. Pushing the test button on the GFCI does not trip the GFCI. Likewise, manually tripping the GFCI does not cut power to the spa. I opened the GFCI panel face and it is wired as noted below:


    red (hot) from house connected directly to the red going to the tub with a wire nut

    black (hot) from house connected directly to the black going to the tub with a wire nut

    white (neutral) from the house connected directly to the white going to the tub with a wire nut

    Ground wire from house connected to a ground bar

    Ground wire going to tub connected to same ground bar

    wire connecting ground bar to GFCI

    My question is - is this wired incorrectly or is the GFCI simply defective?
    Since you say the wires are wirenutted from house to tub, how is the 30 Amp GFI connected? Sounds like the 50 amp breaker inside is the only breaker feeding the tub, WITH NO GFI PROTECTION FOR THE TUB!!

    If the 50 amp breaker fed the 30 Amp GFI and then to the tub, this would be fine, as long as the 30 amp GFI CB is large enough for the tub.

    I suspect someone discovered the 30 Amp CB is not large enough, and bypassed the 30 Amp GFI CB. So if this is the case, then a 50 Amp GFI CB is needed at the tub, in place of the 30 amp.

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