Hot Tub Wiring Mistakes (Avoid These Mistakes)

Do you know the common hot tub wiring mistakes that most people make and how to avoid them? Wiring your hot tub properly is incredibly important.

If you run a search online, you will come across plenty of articles that talk about saving money on wiring the hot tub by doing it all by yourself. However, hot tub installation is definitely not as easy as you might think.

But, you have to understand that despite the fact that there are hundreds of articles online, wiring your hot tub is not an easy task by any means.

There are hundreds of tiny little details involved, and in some cases, you may have to get in touch with your electrical services provider to increase the supply.

Hot tubs require a considerable amount of power, so it’s important that you let a professional deal with the task. There are several wiring mistakes that people make that you have to avoid, so let’s focus on those first.

Hot Tub Wiring Mistakes You Should Avoid

Here are some of the most common hot tub wiring mistakes that most people make.

Mistakes Associated with Bonding

In any situation, a mixture of metallic components, electrical current, and water is a terrible idea. In a hot tub, all three components have to work together.

The metal components that are designed to carry electricity must be properly bonded together. In most cases, the entire bonding process associated with the electrical box is handled by an experienced electrician.

Even if there is a tiny mistake, it could eventually cause a short circuit. This could lead to electrocution, and ultimately, serious injuries for people in the hot tub.

Do you really want that? The risk is too high to even think about such things, and the chances of making such mistakes are quite common.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection

The ground fault circuit interrupter, also known as GFCI, must be appropriately protected. If there is an electrical outlet that is situated close to the hot tub or any other water source, it must be protected appropriately.

In case there is an electrical short circuit, the circuit interrupter immediately cuts off the power supply. This prevents a serious electrical current that could potentially harm your hot tub.

In some cases, people in the hot tub could sustain a fatal electrical shock as well. A common mistake that many people make is that they do not hire a professional electrician to install the GFCI.

More importantly, you have to test the ground fault circuit interrupter after every few months. It’s important to ensure that the circuit interrupter is working properly before you decide to get in the hot tub.

Issues with Grounding

Most electrical appliances in the world run on alternating current. For people who don’t know, electrical grounding is often considered as a backup for allowing the alternating current to flow into the ground in case an issue is detected in the electrical wiring.

To ensure appropriate grounding, it’s important that a connection is made between the electrical appliances, the equipment, and the ground.

The basics of residential electricity tell us that the electrical supply is constantly looking for the shortest way back into the ground.

So, if an issue is detected with the neutral wire, grounding the electrical supply is an excellent way to reduce the chances of a power surge, which could eventually lead to major electrical problems.

Now that you understand the basics of grounding, it’s easy to understand that the wiring in your hot tub must be grounded at all times. This will allow the electrical supply to be routed into the ground in case of an emergency.

If you miss this step, you are essentially putting yourself and all of the people who are in the tub with you at an increased risk of serious injuries due to an electrical problem. Do you really want to take the risk?

Circuit Breaker Issues

A circuit breaker is a better alternative to a conventional electrical fuse. In case there is an issue with the supply of electricity, such as a power surge, the circuit breaker trips immediately, thus “breaking” the circuit.

If you turn on your hot tub and it instantly trips, you may have a serious problem on your hands. The issue might be caused due to increased levels of moisture in the entire electrical system, or it could be due to a malfunction in the circuit breaker.

Either way, it’s important that you pay attention to the problem when the breaker trips. It could also be due to an improper connection, or a wire may have gotten loose.

Wiring a hot tub is the job of an experienced professional, so it may also be caused due to poor wiring. While most people simply consider this an annoyance, you have to understand that this could lead to a serious risk.

It could eventually cause an electrical fire, which is much, much worse than a conventional fire and can’t be doused with water.

Why You Need to Hire an Electrician

There are several reasons why you should consider hiring an electrician for wiring your hot tub. Here are some important ones.

They Are Experienced and Highly Trained

This is perhaps the most obvious reason why you should hire an electrician instead of trying to do the job yourself. These professionals have considerable experience in wiring and rewiring hot tubs, and they know what it takes to run the wiring properly.

From knowing the correct gauge of the wires and making sure that there are no electrical risks to worry about, the biggest reason why you should hire an electrician is because they have had the appropriate licenses and training.

This is a serious issue, and if it’s not done the right way, it could cause a major electrical hazard. Do you really want to risk your life by putting it in the hands of someone who doesn’t know much about the whole thing?

Electrical Regulations and Codes

Another thing you need to understand is that professional electricians adhere to specific electrical and building regulations.

There are strict building codes that must be met, and permits are also needed before you can power up something as big as a hot tub. As a result of this, it’s important for you to ensure that you hire the right people who know what they are doing.

From time to time, your electrical wiring might be subject to an inspection as well, so you will want to ensure that it’s done the right way.

When you hire a trained and certified electrician, they will pay great attention and make sure that the wiring is done appropriately and should pass the inspection with ease.

Professional Insurance

When dealing with electricity and electrical appliances, you should know that there is always a slight risk of failure involved.

In case something goes wrong and there is a power surge that damages the hot tub, the insurance company is going to want to check whether everything was done by the book. They will, for starters, want to know if the hot tub cleared the individual inspections.

Rest assured, if you try to wire the hot tub by yourself, you can kiss the insurance payment goodbye. Needless to say, it just makes more sense to have a professional wire the hot tub overall.