Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.
888.NEC.CODE (632.2633) • www.MikeHolt.com • Info@MikeHolt.com
Extracted from Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to
Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
2008 Edition
Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to
Understanding the NEC® Requirements for
Article 680
Swimming Pools, Spas,
Hot Tubs, Fountains, and
Similar Installations
2 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
A
R
TI
C
LE 680
Swimming Pools,
Spas, Hot Tubs,
Fountains, and
Similar Installations
a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served
by electrical circuits of any nature.
Author’s Comment: The definition of a pool includes
Baptisteries (immersion pools), which must comply with the
requirements of Article 680.
Pool. Manufactured or field-constructed equipment de signed
to contain water on a permanent or semipermanent basis and
used for swimming, wading, immersion, or other purposes.
Spa or Hot Tub. A hydromassage pool or tub designed for
recreational use typically not drained after each use.
PART I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
POOLS, SPAS, HOT TUBS, AND FOUNTAINS
Author’s Comment: The requirements contained in Part I of
Article 680 apply to permanently installed pools [680.20], stor-
able pools [680.30], outdoor spas and hot tubs [680.42], and
fountains [680.50].
680.1 Scope. The requirements contained in Article 680
apply to the installation of electric wiring and equipment for
swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, fountains, and hydromassage
bathtubs.
680.2 Definitions.
Forming Shell. A structure mounted in the wall of perma-
nently installed pools, storable pools, outdoor spas, out-
door hot tubs, or fountains designed to support a wet-niche
luminaire.
Fountain. An ornamental pool, display pool, or reflection
pool.
Hydromassage Bathtub. A permanently installed bathtub
with a recirculating piping system designed to accept, circu-
late, and discharge water after each use.
Maximum Water Level. The highest level that water reaches
before it spills out. Figure 680–1
Permanently Installed Swimming, Wading, Immersion, and
Therapeutic Pools. Those constructed in the ground or par-
tially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water
in a depth greater than 42 in., and all pools installed inside of
INTRODUCTION TO ARTICLE 680—SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, HOT
TUBS, FOUNTAINS, AND SIMILAR INSTALLATIONS
The requirements contained in Article 680 apply to the installation of electric wiring and equipment for swimming pools, hot tubs, spas,
fountains, and hydromassage bathtubs. The overriding concern of Article 680 is to keep people and electricity separated.
Figure 680–1
3 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
680.3 Other Articles. The wiring of permanently installed
pools, storable pools, outdoor spas, outdoor hot tubs, or
fountains must comply with Chapters 1 through 4, except as
modified by this article. Figure 680–3
680.7 Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment. Fixed
or stationary equipment other than an underwater luminaire
for permanently installed pools, storable pools, outdoor
spas, outdoor hot tubs, or fountains can be cord-and-plug-
connected to facilitate removal or disconnection for mainte-
nance or repair.
(A) Length. Except for storable pools, the cord must not
exceed 3 ft.
Author’s Comment: The NEC doesn’t specify a maximum cord
length for a storable pool pump motor.
(B) Equipment Grounding Conductor. The cord must have a
copper equipment grounding conductor not smaller than
12 AWG and the cord must terminate at a grounding-type
attachment plug.
680.8 Overhead Conductor Clearance. Overhead con-
ductors must meet the clearance requirements contained in
Table 680.8. The clearance is measured from the maximum
water level.
Storable Swimming Pool. An aboveground pool with a maxi-
mum water depth of 42 in. Figure 680–2
Author’s Comment: Storable pools are sold as a complete
package that consists of the pool walls, vinyl liner, plumbing
kit, and pump/filter device. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
requires the pump/filter units to have a minimum 25 ft cord to
discourage the use of extension cords.
Wet-Niche Luminaire. A luminaire intended to be installed in
a forming shell where the luminaire will be completely sur-
rounded by water.
Figure 680–3
Figure 680–2
Figure 680–4
4 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
680.9 Electric Water Heater. The ampacity of branch-
circuit conductors and overcurrent devices for pool or out-
door spa and hot tub water heaters must not be less than 125
percent of the total nameplate rating. Figure 680–6
680.10 Underground Wiring Location. Underground
wiring isn’t permitted under permanently installed pools,
storable pools, outdoor spas, outdoor hot tubs, or foun-
tains. Nor is it permitted within 5 ft horizontally from the
inside wall of the pool, spa, hot tub, or fountain, unless nec-
essary to supply the permanently installed pool, storable
pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or fountain equipment.
Figure 680–7
(A) Overhead Power Conductors. Permanently installed
pools, storable pools, outdoor spas, outdoor hot tubs, foun-
tains, diving structures, observation stands, towers, or plat-
forms must not be placed within the clearances contained in
the NEC, Table 680.8. Figure 680–4
Author’s Comment: This rule doesn’t prohibit utility-owned
overhead service-drop conductors from being installed over a
permanently installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor
hot tub, or fountain [90.2(B)(5)]. It does prohibit a permanently
installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or
fountain from being installed under an existing service drop that
isn’t at least 221/2 ft above the water.
(B) Communications Systems. Permanently installed pools,
storable pools, outdoor spas, outdoor hot tubs, fountains,
diving structures, observation stands, towers, or platforms
must not be placed under, or within, 10 ft of communica-
tions cables. Figure 680–5
Author’s Comment: This rule doesn’t prohibit a utility-owned
communications overhead cable from being installed over a
permanently installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor
hot tub, or fountain [90.2(B)(4)]. It does prohibit a permanently
installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub, or
fountain from being installed under an existing communications
utility overhead supply that isn’t at least 10 ft above the water.
Figure 680–5
Figure 680–6
Figure 680–7
5 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
PART II. PERMANENTLY INSTALLED POOLS,
OUTDOOR SPAS, AND OUTDOOR HOT TUBS
680.20 General. The installation requirements contained
in Part I and Part II apply to permanently installed pools
[680.20], outdoor spas, and outdoor hot tubs [680.42].
680.21 Motors.
(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring to a motor must comply
with (A)(1) unless modified by (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)
(5). Figure 680–10
(1) General. Branch-circuit conductors for permanently
installed pool, outdoor spa, and outdoor hot tub motors
must be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, PVC conduit, or Type MC cable listed for the loca-
tion (sunlight-resistant or for direct burial). The wiring meth-
ods must contain an insulated copper equipment grounding
conductor sized in accordance with 250.122, but in no case
can it be smaller than 12 AWG.
(2) On or Within Buildings. Where installed on or within
buildings, electrical metallic tubing is permitted to supply
permanently installed pool, outdoor spa, and outdoor hot
tub motors.
Author’s Comment: Where electrical metallic tubing is used, it
must contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conduc-
tor as required by 680.21(A)(1).
Where space limitations prevent wiring from being at least
5 ft away, underground wiring must be installed in complete
raceway systems of rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, or PVC conduit listed for direct burial. The min-
imum cover is 6 in. for metal raceways and 18 in. for PVC
conduits. Figure 680–8
680.11 Equipment Rooms and Pits. A permanently
installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub,
or fountain equipment must not be located in rooms or pits
that don’t have adequate drainage to prevent water accumu-
lation during normal operation or filter maintenance.
680.12 Maintenance Disconnecting Means. A main-
tenance disconnecting means is required for the permanently
installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor hot tub,
or fountain equipment, other than lighting for these water
bodies.
The maintenance disconnecting means must be readily acces-
sible and located within sight and at least 5 ft from the per-
manently installed pool, storable pool, outdoor spa, outdoor
hot tub, or fountain equipment unless separated from the
open water by a permanently installed barrier that provides
a 5 ft reach path or greater. This horizontal distance is mea-
sured from the water’s edge along the shortest path required
to reach the disconnecting means. Figure 680–9
Figure 680–8
Figure 680–9
6 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
680.22 Area Lighting, Receptacles, and Equipment.
(A) Receptacles.
(1) Circulation System. Receptacles for permanently installed
pool, outdoor spa, and outdoor hot tub motors, or other
loads directly related to the circulation system must be
located not less than 10 ft from the inside walls of a per-
manently installed pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub,
or not less than 6 ft from the inside walls of a permanently
(3) Flexible Connections. Liquidtight flexible metal or liq-
uidtight nonmetallic conduit is permitted for permanently
installed pool, outdoor spa, and outdoor hot tub motors.
Author’s Comment: Where liquidtight flexible metal or non-
metallic conduit is used, it must contain an insulated copper
equipment grounding conductor as required by 680.21(A)(1).
(4) One-Family Dwelling. In the interior of a dwelling unit
or accessory building associated with a dwelling unit, any
Chapter 3 wiring method is permitted. Where branch-circuit
conductors are run in a raceway, the wiring method must
contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
as required by 680.21(A)(1). Where a cable assembly is used,
the circuit equipment grounding conductor can be uninsu-
lated. Figure 680–11
(5) Cord-and-Plug Connections. A cord no longer than
3 ft, with an attachment plug and containing an equip-
ment grounding conductor, sized in accordance with
250.122, is permitted for permanently installed pool motors.
Figure 680–12
Author’s Comment: For outdoor spas and hot tubs, the
cord must be GFCI protected and it can be up to 15 ft long
[680.42(A)(2)].
Figure 680–10
Figure 680–12
Figure 680–11
7 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
(3) Dwelling Unit. At a dwelling unit, one 15A or 20A, 125V
receptacle must be located not less than 6 ft and not more
than 20 ft from the inside walls of a permanently installed
pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub. This receptacle must
be located not more than 6½ ft above the floor, platform, or
grade level serving the permanently installed pool, outdoor
spa, or outdoor hot tub. Figure 680–15
(4) GFCI-Protected Receptacles. All 15A and 20A, 125V
receptacles located within 20 ft from the inside walls of a
permanently installed pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub
must be GFCI protected. Figure 680–16
installed pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub if they meet
all of the following conditions: Figure 680–13
(1) Consist of a single receptacle
(2) Employ a locking configuration
(3) Be of the grounding type
(4) Have GFCI protection
(2) Other Receptacles. Receptacles not for motors or other
loads directly related to the circulation system must be not
less than 6 ft from the inside walls of a permanently installed
pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub. Figure 680–14
Figure 680–13
Figure 680–14
Figure 680–16
Figure 680–15
8 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
(4) Adjacent Areas. New luminaires installed between 5 ft
and 10 ft horizontally, and not more that 5 ft above the max-
imum water level of a permanently installed pool, outdoor
spa, or outdoor hot tub must be GFCI protected.
Author’s Comment: Low-voltage lighting systems must not be
located within 10 ft of a pool, spa, or hot tub, even if GFCI pro-
tected [411.4].
(D) Switching Devices. Circuit breakers, time clocks, pool
light switches, and other switching devices must be located
not less than 5 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a per-
manently installed pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub
unless separated by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent
barrier. Figure 680–19
(E) Other Outlets. Other outlets must not be located less
than 10 ft from the inside walls of a permanently installed
pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub. The receptacle dis-
tance is measured as the shortest path an appliance cord
would follow without passing through a wall, doorway, or
window [680.21(A)(5)].
FPN: Examples of other outlets may include remote-con-
trol, signaling, fire alarm, and communications circuits.
680.23 Underwater Luminaires.
(A) General.
(2) Transformers. Transformers for underwater luminaires
must be listed as a swimming pool transformer of the isolat-
ing-winding type and have a grounded metal barrier between
the primary and secondary windings.
Author’s Comments:
• Outdoor dwelling unit receptacles must be GFCI protected,
regardless of the distance from a permanently installed pool,
outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub [210.8(A)(3)].
• All 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles for nondwelling units
located outdoors require GFCI protection [210.8(B)(4)].
(5) Measurements. The receptacle distance is measured as the
shortest path an appliance cord would follow without pass-
ing through a wall, doorway, or window.
(B) GFCI-Protected Motors. Outlets supplying pool pump
motors for a permanently installed pool, outdoor spa, or
outdoor hot tub from branch circuits rated 15A or 20A,
120V or 240V must be GFCI protected. Figure 680–17
(C) Luminaires and Ceiling Fans.
(1) New Outdoor Installations. Luminaires and ceiling fans
installed above the water, or the area extending within 5 ft
horizontally from the inside walls of a permanently installed
pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub, must not be less than
12 ft above the maximum water level.
(3) Existing Installations. Existing luminaires located less
than 5 ft horizontally from the inside walls of a permanently
installed pool, outdoor spa, or outdoor hot tub must be not
less than 5 ft above the surface of the maximum water level
and must be GFCI protected. Figure 680–18
Figure 680–17
Figure 680–18
9 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
(B) Wet-Niche Underwater Luminaires.
(1) Forming Shells. Forming shells for wet-niche underwa-
ter luminaires must be equipped with provisions for conduit
entries. All forming shells used with PVC conduit systems
must include provisions for terminating an 8 AWG copper
conductor.
(2) Wiring to the Forming Shell. The conduit that extends
directly to the underwater pool wet-niche forming shell must
comply with (a) or (b).
(a) Metal Conduit. Brass or corrosion-resistant rigid metal
conduit approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
(b) Nonmetallic Conduit. Nonmetallic conduit containing an
8 AWG insulated (solid or stranded) copper bonding jumper,
must terminate in the forming shell and junction box unless a
listed low-voltage lighting system not requiring grounding is
used. Figures 680–21 and 680–22
The termination of the 8 AWG bonding jumper in the form-
ing shell must be covered with a listed potting compound to
protect the connection from the possible deteriorating effect
of pool water.
(6) Servicing. The forming shell location and length of cord
in the forming shell must allow for personnel to place the
removed luminaire on the deck or other dry location for
main tenance. The luminaire maintenance location must
be ac cessible without entering or going in the pool water.
Figure 680–23
(3) GFCI Protection of Underwater Luminaires. Branch cir-
cuits that supply underwater luminaires operating at more
than 15V must be GFCI protected. Figure 680–20
(5) Wall-Mounted Luminaires. Underwater luminaires must
be installed so that the top of the luminaire lens isn’t less
than 18 in. below the normal water level.
Author’s Comment: The 18-in. requirement reduces the likeli-
hood that persons hanging on the side of the pool will have their
chest cavity in line with the underwater luminaire.
Figure 680–19
Figure 680–20
Figure 680–21
10 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar Installations
Where installed on buildings, electrical metallic tubing is per-
mitted, and where installed within buildings, electrical non-
metallic tub ing, Type MC cable, electrical metallic tubing, or
Type AC cable is permitted. The wiring methods must con-
tain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
sized in accordance with 250.122, but in no case can it be
smaller than 12 AWG.
Exception: Where connecting to transformers for pool lights,
liquidtight flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible nonme-
tallic conduit is permitted in individual lengths not exceeding
6 ft.
(2) Equipment Grounding Conductor. Branch-circuit conduc-
tors for an underwater luminaire must contain an insulated
copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance
with 250.122, but not smaller than 12 AWG. Figure 680–24
The circuit equipment grounding conductor for the under-
water luminaire must not be spliced, except as permitted in
(a) or (b).
(a) Where more than one underwater luminaire is supplied
by the same branch circuit, the circuit equipment ground-
ing conductor can terminate at a listed pool junction box
that meets the requirements of 680.24(A).
(b) The circuit equipment grounding conductor can termi-
nate at the grounding terminal of a listed pool trans-
former that meets the requirements of 680.23(A)(2).
Author’s Comment: While it may be necessary to enter the pool
water, possibly with underwater breathing apparatus in some
cases, the cord must be long enough to allow the luminaire to
be brought out and placed on a deck or other dry location where
the relamping, maintenance, or inspection can take place with-
out entering the pool water.
(F) Branch-Circuit Wiring.
(1) Wiring Methods. Branch-circuit wiring for underwater
luminaires must be rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal
conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or PVC
conduit [680.23(B)(2)]. Electrical metallic tubing can be
installed on a building.
Figure 680–22
Figure 680–24
Figure 680–23
11 Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to Understanding the National Electrical Code, Volume 2
Article 680 Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, Fountains, and Similar