With the current restrictions in place on travel it’s not surprising that hot tub ownership in the UK has been on the rise again.
Domestic hot tub sales in the UK alone have increased by over 1000% with
many of us are spending more and more time at home and investing the money saved from cancelled or postponed holidays into glamming up our gardens and splashing out on hot tubs.
Whilst there are no set requirements for hot tub installations, if your hot tub is in the garden, we recommend that section 702 of BS 7671 (for swimming pools) of the IET guidance notes are adhered to.
Electrical safety is so important when dealing with any installations around water so to help you along - we’ve collated our top tips on hot tub safety and electrical guidance to keep you and your family safe.
CFCI Devices
It’s important that any electrical connections made to or close to water, are protected by a suitable ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device. Subject to the model and unit the power requirements can vary so please check and understand the safety booklet about the specific requirements for your hot tub unit and take some time getting familiar with the power supply fittings as with larger units these tend to be directly hardwired to a junction box within the unit itself.
RCD and Electrical Disconnect Switches
Any installation near water can be a potential hazard so hot tubs and spas must have the power source supplied through a disconnect switch.
An RCD unit should be supplied from your spa retailer when you purchase your hot tub, if not we strongly advise that you get one as this device ensures that the power supply can be readily turned off in the case of an emergency.
The RCD or electrical disconnect should be within sight of your spa but at least 5 feet away from the edge of your tub so that you are not able to touch the switch whilst in the water as this is an important safety feature to prevent against any risk of electrocution.
Cabling
The main cable should be suitably protected along its route against any foreseeable damage, and we advise against clipping any cabling to fencing as this could pose a potential hazard. Furthermore, unprotected cables should not be buried directly in the ground.
If you are wanting to bury the cabling to your tub, we recommend working with a professional electrical contractor and adhering to regulation 522.8.10 which provides details on the requirements for buried cables. In addition to following this regulation, we also recommend that buried cables are easily discoverable from route markers and written down on drawings.
Alterations and upgrades to an existing Installation
If are looking to make any alterations or changes to a hot tub installation that requires work to be carried out, then regulation 132.16 generally applies and compliance with BS 7671 must be verified.
This regulation stipulates that the rating and condition of your existing equipment, needs to be sufficient for any additional load. You also need to check that any existing earthing and bonding arrangements are also adequate. Inspection and testing must be carried out to verify the adequacy of the relevant parts of the existing installation that will support the change of requirements.
Risk of electrocution
Hot tubs are fun and relaxing additions to your garden, but they can be very dangerous. Water and electricity are always hazardous so please take extra safety precautions to prevent electrical shock and keep your family safe.
Electrocution risks often get overlooked by new hot tub owners amongst the excitement of a new purchase so please ensure you follow the proper electrical connection instructions, and always practise electrical safety guidelines.
Make your home a safer place and contact us today. After all, health and safety are what we're all about at My Electrics.
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