Hot tubs are a great addition to your home that not only adds flair to your property, but a fun and relaxing place to unwind at the end of a long day.
Hot tubs are great for your health, but you also need to be serious about your safety. Consider adding a wired-in control panel to prevent electric surges and risk turning your comfort-soak into a shocking demise.
When you’re installing your hot tub, it’s important to get safety right, or everything could terribly wrong. Learn what matters below.
Why You Need GFCI Circuit Breakers
A GCFI breaker, or ground fault circuit interruption breaker, works to prevent shock if the attached electrical components reach the water water. These specialized outlet devices will keep you safe while you’re chilling in the hot tub.
Requirements for the installation of indoor hot tubs say there must be a means of disconnect within 10 feet from the inside wall of the hot tub.
When a hot tub fails to turn on, it’s likely the GFCI breaker was tripped. If this keeps happening, it could be because the breaker is worn out, there’s moisture getting in, a problem with the hot tub itself, or on rare occasions or the wiring is faulty.
To be completely safe, let a qualified electrician take a look at it. You wouldn’t want a problem to arise and have the breaker fail on you when you actually need it to work.
Types of Circuit Breakers
The type of hot tub control panels you’ll purchase and install will depend on the voltage level. Your hot tub could be fitted with a voltage level anywhere between 120V and 240V. Usually, the portable variety runs a lower level.
For example, a large portion of 240V spas requires a 50 amp electrical service. You may also find ones that need up to 60 amps. If the fuse is too low in value, it may blow when you switch it on.
The breaker is located in a disconnect box that connects to your main breaker panel. However, the main breaker isn’t designed to detect water coming into contact with the devices it’s connected to. That’s where the GFCI circuit breakers come into play.
It only takes 5mA of current leakage for the breaker to trip. Have an electrician check them on a regular, monthly basis to ensure they’re working properly.
Insurance Coverage
The installation of GFCI outlets not only reduces the cost of your homeowner’s insurance, but they’re also often covered for damages sustained by storms, fires, and other natural disasters. As long as the event was unforeseen and it gets regular maintenance, you’re good to go.
Insurance likely won’t cover an older panel that fails on you, so consult an electrician to see if you need an upgrade.
How To Make Sure You’re Covered
- Call a licensed electrician for an evaluation. Make sure to have your electric panels checked once every 12 months. This way if you have minor issues as a result of storms or termites, or other issues you can get them fixed.
- Shut off power to areas of the home that have electric issues. If you have these issues, there could be something wrong with the wiring. Preventing electric flow in that area will help you avoid a fire.
- Consult your insurance company to find out if they can lower your premiums for replacing your panel and/or help you with the purchase of a new electrical panel.
Protect Your Hot Tubs from Damage
It’s complicated doing hot tub wiring safely. All you want to do is rest in a pool of bubbling hot water at the end of a long workday without worrying about electrocution.
Even worse, water might get into the electronics and stop your hot tub from working altogether.
Contact us today, and we can hook you up, so you can get back to your bliss.