[mars918]

Hi- Hopefully I explain my situation well enough. I recently bought a inexpensive used hot tub to help with my always increasing 40 yr old pain. Lol. The hot tub is a Hydro Spa by all of my Google research, 5-6 seater, 220v, but I do not know a model number or style name, and it cannot be found underneath service panel of hot tub. Anyway, my boyfriend said he would be able to hook it up for me (before I bought it). He knows a bit about electric from his job. Well now that its here, he discovered it's a bit over his head, and is second guessing himself. So before he burns my house down, I have spoken to 2 electricians, who have both told me different things on what I need, and how to hook it up. Actually I am going to hire an electrician to hook it up, my boyfriend is just going to run the wire & get some of the supplies through his contacts to save money.
Here are some details. I have 200 amp service, on a square D QO panel box that does not have room for expansion. I currently have a 30 amp breaker, that runs to an outside subpanel (also square D QO, 100 amp max), which is connected to the pool pumps, garage, pool lights, and a small 1/2 bath. The breakers within this subpanel total 80 amps, and there are no empty spaces. I know I could get some of the tandem breakers to make room in the subpanel though if need be. The subpanel box is approx 35 ft from the main panel box. One electrician told us we need a 40amp breaker outside, and a 40/50 square d tandem breaker inside (which doesn't exist obv, but this was to replace one existing 50 amp, & make room for new add'l 40 amp), and #6 alum wire run from the main box to a separate disconnect box for the hot tub. Then #6 copper wire run from hot tub disconnect to the hot tub. We found out this scenario is not possible from the 2nd electrician who came out, as there is no room in the panel box for expansion (already contains 4 tandem breakers) to support a 50amp breaker (not 40amp as the 1st electrician said) for the hot tub. He said I should replace the 30 amp breaker (that goes out to the pool subpanel) with a 100 amp breaker, and connect the hot tub through it. He said I need a 125 disconnect for the pool box (to replace current box?), and a 50amp gfi disconnect for the hot tub. He said the new wire to run from the new 100 amp breaker in themain panel box to the outside subpanel should be #1 alt 4 conductor. The wire from the subpanel to the hot tub should be #6 S.O. 4 wire (copper). The hot tub is about 15 ft from the pool subpanel box. He said my only other option would be to increase the size of my main panel box. Ok, so my (our) questions are:
-Does any of this sound accurate? I think the 2nd electrician knows what he is doing, I just may have lost part of it in translation.
-Why #1 aluminum wire from the main panel box to the subpanel, not copper? Is this the most appropriate wire for the task at hand? Or ?
-Is a 50 amp disconnect (for the hot tub) the same as a 50 amp breaker?
-Do I need a separate disconnect for the hot tub, outside of the subpanel box (pool box)?
Any other advise or clarity you can give me? (besides drink heavily until it is fully installed and functional) ;)
If you have any questions, just ask! Sorry for my electrical ignorance. I try to stay away from it so I don't end up fried, & I am really out of my league here. I can bake a mean lasagna though! Lol
Thank you in advance to all who offer advice for me!
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[stanfortyman]

I am a bit confused by all this and did not get a good idea what each guy said.

All I can tell you is this. ANY electrician who told you to run SO cord to a hot tub is NO electrician.

[mars918]

It was the first electrician who said to run S.O. from the main panel to the outside subpanel. And yes, based on what I've read & heard, I agree with u!

[jerro]

You will definitely have to upgrade your electrical be fore you can get power to your hot tub. All hot tubs also require gfi breaker protection. You can use either aluminum or copper to your subpanel but cost of wire would be the main reason in deciding which one you want to use.

[stanfortyman]

You will definitely have to upgrade your electrical be fore you can get power to your hot tub.

Why would you possibly say this? :confused: They already have a 200A service.