Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: rowelelectrical
Asked on: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:46 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 2:47 am EDT
Question: Hi to all,We are designing an electrical plan for a residential house. And one issue i could see in this design will be the pool. The pool will be a having a cabana with a bar on the side of the pool, the tricky part is the bar's wall be the pool's wall , in short wall separating the cabana and the pool will be the pool wall. Im not sure if exhibit 680.5 of the NEC will still be allowed in this kind of scenario. Im pertaining to the minimum distance of the receptacles considering it is inside a structure which is the cabana. Can anyone advise and comment about this? Thanks!!!!
Electrical Plan for a Residential House with PoolNEC Exhibit 680.5
NEC Exhibit 680.5 states that receptacles shall not be installed within 1.83 m (6 ft) of the water's surface. This requirement is intended to prevent electric shock hazards around pools.
Cabana with Bar as Pool Wall
In this case, the bar wall separating the cabana and the pool is also the pool wall. Therefore, the minimum distance requirement of Exhibit 680.5 must be applied to the bar wall.
Interpretation
Exhibit 680.5 applies to all receptacles installed within a structure that is less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the water's surface. In this case, the cabana is considered a structure, and the bar wall is within 1.83 m of the water's surface.Therefore,
it is not permissible to install receptacles on the bar wall.Solutions
To address this issue, consider the following solutions:
Move the receptacles
Relocate the receptacles to a location that is more than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the water's surface.
Install a barrier
Install a non-conductive barrier, such as a countertop or splash guard, between the bar wall and the water's surface to satisfy the 1.83 m (6 ft) distance requirement.*
Use waterproof receptacles
Install specialized waterproof receptacles designed for use in wet locations. However, these receptacles may not be readily available or may be cost-prohibitive.
Conclusion:
Due to the proximity of the bar wall to the pool, it is not permissible to install receptacles on the bar wall according to NEC Exhibit 680.5. Alternative solutions must be considered to ensure electrical safety around the pool. Flag for review