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oldkid641

Pool light switch inside house, GFCI outlet located below it, safe?

7 years ago

I'm about to purchase a house that has been completely renovated and was built in 1970, When I got the house inspection the bulk of the repair issues came up with regards to the electrical system, mainly the many ungrounded GFCI outlets. My biggest concern is that the pool light switch is located inside the house, right below the switch is a GFCI outlet that is ungrounded. I have two young kids and the obvious concern is the pool light not being connected to a dedicated breaker panel with a GFCI breaker circuit. Should I have the pool lighting moved and rewired, or is it safe to keep it on a dedicated GFCI outlet that's ungrounded? I have read so much on this topic but still not sure about this specific situation. The rest of the house I'm not concerned about, it's mainly this issue because it's a pool plus electricity. What is the best solution for peace of mind and staying safe?

Comments (6)

  • 7 years ago

    Call a pool builder who has a dedicated electrician who really knows pool electrical work. they can add a dedicated panel with a GCFI breaker for the pool light. Make sure they electrically bond all pool equipment.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I agree with the last comment. Only 115V lights need GFCI protection by code. I do however, use GFCI protection on the LED lights we use rated at 12V.

    The pool light may be sharing the power source with another device. You can find the circuit breaker and replace it with a GFCI breaker, or interrupt the light switch with a combo type switch that has a GFCI with a re-set button built in. The idea is to have the GFCI between the power supply (line side) and the light switch (load side).

    The bonding of the pool is paramount. Even with GFCI protection an improperly bonded or not bonded pool can be dangerous.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Actually, NEC 680.23(F)(3) would require the GFCI to be AFTER the switch in many circumstances, but never requires the GFCI to be before a switch. If the switch were outside, the conditions of which the conductors are run may have required those conductors supplying the switch to be GFCI protected.

    680.23(A)(3) describes a more accurate list than "Only 115V lights need GFCI protection by code." which is not correct. This is probably getting confused with the fact that a GFCI on the line side of a transformer will not provide GFCI protection on the load side.

    There are some listed low voltage luminaries for swimming pools that don't include a grounding means. 680.23(F)(2), otherwise, an equipment ground is required.

    Hire an electrician well versed in swimming pools to inspect it. Without knowing the exact situation, I can probably come up with a situation that would contradict most general statements on here, including mine. So, being there to see it is the only good way to answer your question.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    NEC 680.23 requires that underwater luminaires more than 15V must be GFCI protected. The "typical" pool light at 110/115V requires GFCI protection. In a wet niche, they must also be mounted a minimum of 18" below the water surface

    Low voltage pool lighting at 12V does not require GFCI protection. If the low voltage light is set in a wet niche installation, the niche must be bonded inside and on the back side.
    Nicheless, low voltage, LED lights do not require grounding or bonding. Nor do they have a means to do so. Depending on the manufacturer, they utilize either 1.5" or 2" PVC pipe as a means for installation through a pool wall. They can be set close to the water surface. Generally 8"-10" below the water surface provides the best illumination.

    ALL the pool equipment since 2008 has to be GFCI protected. Prior to that, it was just pool lights. Bonding requirements have changed also. BONDING IS NOT THE SAME AS GROUNDING.

    A qualified and experienced electrician is the best person to review your pool set up.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    "BONDING IS NOT THE SAME AS GROUNDING." - Who are you trying so hard to convince, when a question about bonding was not even asked?

    Old kid asked "is it safe to keep it on a dedicated GFCI outlet that's ungrounded?"

    The correct answer is "There are some listed low voltage luminaries for swimming pools that don't include a grounding means. 680.23(F)(2), otherwise, an equipment ground is required."

    The GFCI will still protect personnel from ground faults as long as there is no transformer after the GFCI, even without an equipment ground.