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    huskerbob's Avatar
    huskerbob Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 29, 2007, 08:03 PM
    Hot tub grounding bar
    I got a free hot tub... yeah right free-the 6/3 wire itself is going to run $300! Anyway, the instruction manual calls for a 50 amp breaker and the 6/3 UF wire with ground. It also calls for a #6 copper wire that is attached to a grounding bar that is to be buried. I have heard two solutions, first is to drive the 8 foot bar vertically into the ground, and the second is the 8 foot bar can be put in horizontally into the ground. The first is nearly impossible as I live in a very rocky area. As for the second how deep should it be?

    Any suggestions?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #2

    Aug 30, 2007, 07:51 AM
    If the tub is calling for it's own ground rod, and driving it is not possible due to ledge, then it may lay in a trench 30" deep.

    I have never heard of a tub calling for it's own rod. Check on this. But it is needed if the manufacturer states so in the instructions.

    Don't forget that one of the breakers will need to be GFI. A 2 pole 50 amp GFI is in the range of $100-$150.
    huskerbob's Avatar
    huskerbob Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Aug 30, 2007, 05:45 PM
    Thanks for your response. Yes it stated so in the opwners manual. Could I use 5/8" rebar? Either way should it be 8 ft or 10 feet, they sell both at the big Box store I frequent.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #4

    Aug 30, 2007, 07:54 PM
    Go to the elctrical isle and look for a 10' grounding rod, copper not a rebar.
    huskerbob's Avatar
    huskerbob Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Aug 30, 2007, 09:36 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by tkrussell
    If the tub is calling for it's own ground rod, and driving it is not possible due to ledge, then it may lay in a trench 30" deep.
    30" will be tough with all the underground rock is that the bare minimum? Have you heard of putting a layerconcrete on top of it, would that help its grounding capabilities?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #6

    Aug 31, 2007, 02:57 AM
    No do not use rebar, yes 2" of concrete will help.
    huskerbob's Avatar
    huskerbob Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Sep 1, 2007, 11:58 AM
    Rather than dig a trench that deep, I tried sledge hammering the grounding bar into the ground, I got it 5 1/2 feet deep and the top started to bend... is that deep enough?
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #8

    Sep 1, 2007, 12:01 PM
    No sorry all eight feet needs to be in the ground.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #9

    Sep 3, 2007, 08:08 PM
    You may need to move around to another location. In soild rock ledges even 8 feet will not make a good ground if it is soild rock. You need some moisture and soil to reach "earth."
    huskerbob's Avatar
    huskerbob Posts: 22, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Sep 4, 2007, 06:20 AM
    Thanks everyone, I pulled the bar out of the ground with my car jack, then dug the trench needed to 30 inches and then buried it.
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