It’s HOT! We’ve seen above 90°F in May which makes us believe this summer may be brutal. Lots of families may be considering a pool in order to help beat the heat. It’s a great addition to any backyard and there are several types to choose from of course. Unless you're sticking with the smaller inflatable kind, you’ll most likely have electrical components involved in your pool set up. We know that electricity and water don’t mix, so the short answer to: Do I need an electrician to wire my pool? is YES!

What types of pools need an electrician? As a general rule, all permanent pool structures above-ground or in-ground, should be wired or consulted with by a certified electrician. This includes metal wall frame and concrete style pools or anything that is required to be hardwired and does not plug in. GFCI protection is a must for any style pool. 

Why do I need GFCI protection? GFCI equipment helps to remove the energy from a circuit if the electrical current to ground surpasses a specific value. GFCI equipment is usually installed in moisture-prevalent areas to avoid electrocution (think bathrooms and kitchens). We recommend hiring a professional to install GFCI outlets so they can make decisions about their location and other necessary concerns.

If your pool has a ≤1.5 horsepower (hp) pump, you may be able to plug your above ground pool into your outdoor outlet (most are protected by a GFI breaker or or GFI outlet with reset button on it because of the weather). You may need a properly rated extension cord as well. 

An above ground pool rated at 15 feet or larger, that is permanently mounted year-round should have proper GFCI protection. Most of these above ground pools will come with a 120 volt pump rated for 1 hp or 1.5 hp. You can simply plug this into a GFCI receptacle or have a specific home run back to your power panel on the GFCI breaker. If your pool is installed year round, we do not recommend using an extension cord. Other options would include running an underground cable back to the GFCI outlet or GFCI breaker.  

What about in ground pools? You will need an electrician to wire an inground pool. The electrical code has a complete section on inground pools. Any current carrying parts of the swimming pool or metal parts must be bonded to ground. Most inground pools will have a pump house where all the equipment is stored. This building will usually need to be wired with a light, plug, and a service panel to service the pool equipment. 

Having a professional wire your pool is beneficial on so many levels. The peace of mind alone will be priceless. Also, if you’re going through a financial institution for financing they are likely to require inspections on the electrical work before they will release the money to have the swimming pool financed. Your electrician can pull these permits for you and have the electrical inspections done. 

If you are installing a pool this year to beat the heat, give us a call. We’d be happy to assist you with the electrical work.