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If you’re thinking about installing a hot tub on your back deck to help beat the winter blues, you won’t be disappointed. But hot tub installation isn’t something you should do on your own, and there are many important reasons why.

From installing the wiring to having adequate protection against electrical shock, there are several things you must know to do the job properly. And unless you’re a trained and licensed electrician, you’re probably not qualified to complete the job safely or up to code.

Curious why it’s never a great idea to install your own hot tub? The electricians at Harrison Electric have the details below.

Your Hot Tub Wiring Must Be Up to Code

National Electrical Code (NEC) isn’t just some arbitrary list of guidelines that should be followed when installing electrical work; it’s mandatory that new electrical installations follow code stipulations. And the electrical work for your new hot tub? It must be up to code too.

The National Fire Protection Association updates the NEC every three years to minimize electrical accidents and fires. So unless you stay current on code updates, you probably aren’t aware of how to properly (and safely!) install your hot tub wiring.

That’s where a licensed electrician comes in. Hot tub electricians understand electrical code intimately and will install your new wiring in a manner that ensures you and your loved ones remain safe while enjoying your hot tub. Proper wiring installation also ensures your new (and expensive) hot tub performs optimally long term.

You Must Have GFCI Protection Near Any Water Source

If you’re unaware of what ground fault circuit interrupter protection is, you definitely should not install your own hot tub. And even if you know what GFCI outlets are, you still shouldn’t undertake this job on your own.

So what exactly do GFCIs do, and why are they critical for your safety? A ground fault circuit interrupter is an electrical device that detects shorts in your electrical circuit. If the device detects an imbalance in electrical current, it immediately shuts down power to the outlet. Since water is an excellent conductor of electricity, it’s a common culprit in ground faults. This is why GFCIs are required in the following locations:

●        Bathrooms and kitchens

●        Laundry rooms

●        Garages

●        Crawl spaces and basements

●        All outdoor receptacles

●        Anywhere else water is present

Since your new hot tub is a giant pool of water, it must have GFCI protection for user safety. And for proper GFCI installation, you need the expertise of a licensed electrician.

Proper Bonding and Grounding Are Critical for Your Safety

In any electrical installation, proper bonding and grounding are important. But when it comes to installing a hot tub, this area of the installation is critical to get right. Proper bonding of all metal components involved in the installation will help ensure you and your loved ones stay safe while using the hot tub. If you come into contact with equipment that has faulty wiring or a short circuit, bonding is what allows you to avoid shocks or worse, electrocution.

The same idea applies to grounding. In the event of faulty wiring or a short circuit in the hot tub, properly grounded wires have a safe path into the ground through which the electrical current can flow. When this happens, the GFCI or the breaker will trip before anyone in the hot tub gets shocked.

If planning to enjoy a new hot tub this winter, for your own safety, please avoid a DIY installation. When you need new hot tub wiring, get in touch with our team at Harrison Electric to get the job done right. All of our electricians are fully licensed, insured, and bonded, and we proudly serve homeowners throughout the entire Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. Give us call today at 763-544-3300, request a quote online, or send us a message to get started.