AG Pool wiring and other headaches

[JohnT]

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on some of the pool terminology. When you say every bottom rail section, I have 17 panels, so that is seventeen connections, right? Also, when you say you like to see the uprights done as well, you mean all 18 of them? I'd like to make this as safe as possible, but all 18 isn't feasible for more.

It really depends on the construction of the pool. There is really no standard interpretation of code for bonding the metal walls. Usually, if the parts are connected metal-to-metal with screws or bolts, that is considered one piece. Some inspectors may disagree. The more that is bonded, the less you are depending on these non-electrical connections to perform as electrical connections.

When attaching the ground clamps, I'm assuming that two series strands will be fine, going each way around the pool and connecting at the outlet box as in my schematic, correct?

Your schematic shows a ground point on the bonding circuit. Not needed, and could potentially introduce problems. You are establishing an equipotential plane, where everything that a swimmer might contact is at the same voltage. It doesn't matter what that voltage might be, as long as it's the same everywhere. When you bond the pump motor, you will be connecting via the motor housing to the house ground. Adding that second ground point could be a problem. The best way to wire the bonding circuit is one continuous piece of wire, with the end tucked back into the first clamp on the pool. Buried splices are more difficult to handle, and the clamps are easy to feed wire through when the screw is loose.

Where on the rail is the best way to attach the lugs? I don't want to weaken the rail or push against the side panel in any way.

By any chance, do you have any pictures of some attachment points that you could post?

No pictures, sorry. Where to attach is a case-by-case deal. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes not. Retrofitting would be harder. Anyplace that gets to each section is better than nothing, IMO.

Also, the run from the circuit breaker to the outlet box, what kind of wire do you recommend? Would MC be alright to take from the breaker panel to the pump outlet box? Could I use one MC cable for both the pump and axillary outlet circuit (obviously keeping the circuits separate)?

I won't play electrician on the power side and give advice. I will say don't splice grounds going to the pool area to reduce the likelihood of a failure. My background is that I am an electrical engineer who has a neighbor who is an electrician. He got into a mess with an inspector over code, and I mediated the whole mess, as niether one of them knew what was right. Now they both call me for help on Article 680. At least the neighbor brings beer . Most electricians don't understand 680, and worse, won't admit it.