What size breaker do I need for a hot tub?
Most spas will run effectively on a 50amp 2 pole main circuit breaker. Some spa manufacturers require a 60amp breaker. Although some manufacturers state their spas can use 8 guage wiring for a 50amp circuit, we recommend 6 gauge wiring on all 50/60 amp installations.
Most hot tubs require a 240v electrical hookup—which for most people means you have to call an electrician and have new wiring done. However, a Plug n' play spa runs on standard 110V power, which can be plugged into most standard household power sources without the need for additional wiring.
The Hot Tub MUST have its own dedicated circuit with correct size fuse breaker and RCD protection.
The answer is… it depends. Not all hot tubs are wired the same or equipped with the same components. Some hot tubs can be plugged into a 110/120V outlet, and some need to be hardwired at 220/240V. Some hot tub models are factory configured to operate with a 110/120V plug-in GFCI power cord.
The ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) requirements for outdoor hot tubs are as follows: There must be at least one convenience receptacle located between 6 to 10 feet from the inside wall of the hot tub.
Installing a manual disconnect device, often called a spa panel, between your home's electrical breaker panel and the spa. All receptacles must be a minimum of 6 feet away from the inside wall of the hot tub and GFCI protected.
The average cost for establishing a 220v outlet so that you can start enjoying your hot tub will run between $900 and $1500. This is based on the assumption that you don't already have existing wiring for a hot tub or a conduit in the near vicinity.
This upgrade will help to make your system safe and give it the capacity it needs to properly run your new hot tub for months and years to come. Without an electrical panel upgrade, your electrical system won't be able to run your hot tub.
To protect your home and outbuildings from potential flooding, keep it at least 5 feet from any structure. Also, locate the spa close to a doorway into the house or provide a small changing area close by for wintertime use.
There must be at least one convenience receptacle between six and 20 feet from the inside wall of the hot tub. This must be a GFCI receptacle. All outdoor receptacles that are exposed to weather must have a weatherproof covering.
How do you hook up a hot tub to your house?
There are only two ways to connect a hot tub to power. The first is through a low 110v connection that simply plugs into a wall outlet, and the second is through a 220v, 230v, or 240v connection directly to your home's central circuit breaker box.
Running Wire From The Panel To The Disconnect
The wire is run from the panel to the disconnect. The wire can be run below the house, above the house, or around the outside of the house. Any wiring inside of the house will not need to be run in conduit. Any wire outside of the house will need to be run in conduit.
You will need the same volume of water, but the hose with the bigger diameter will fill up the Hot Tub faster. And the cost of that volume of water will remain the same from the utility company. Just like the electrical cost of heating your Hot Tub will remain the same on 110 volt vs. 220 volt.
HEATING TIME
You can count on a 110 volt spa taking a long time to heat up. In fact, it could take more than 24 hours to heat for the first time during the winter, and almost a day in the summer. A 220 volt spa, on the other hand, will heat much faster – up to 4 times as fast, in fact.
The most valid answer to the question, “What size breaker do I need for a hot tub?” is 50 amps. This is, of course, assuming you also have a standard 40 amp, 220V, or 240V hot tub. A 50 amp hot tub breaker is fairly common among homeowners, as are 40 amp and 60 amp varieties.
Hot Tubs or Whirlpools
The NEC has a very specific requirement on the location of the switch—it must be at least 5 feet away from the tub. This ensures that you cannot reach the switch while standing or sitting in water—a safety measure to prevent potentially fatal shocks.
How far should the subpanel be from the hot tub? According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), a means of disconnection must be provided within 5 feet of your hot tub.
Although there is no specific space that a hot tub needs to be away from a dwelling, it is important to keep in mind that it needs to be 5 feet away from the property line as per building codes.
Hot tubs run on an electrical supply. They usually need between 13 and 40 AMPS of power to run. The electricity powers the heater, pumps, lights and all the other working components on the hot tub. It's usually recommended that hot tubs run 24/7.
Concrete Base
Concrete makes a fantastic foundation for any top thanks to its long-lasting durability and sturdiness. For many hot tub owners, concrete bases are the preferred option as they are both economical and functional.
How thick should a concrete slab be for a hot tub?
The minimum thickness safety requirement for a basic hot tub pad is 4″ thick reinforced concrete with a diameter of 6″ less than the diameter of the bottom of the tub. Therefore, a 5′ round straight sided wood hot tub would require a 4′ 6″ square pad.
How Many Amps for a Hot Tub? The normal power supply for a hot tub or spa is 220/240 volts and somewhere in the range of 30-60 amps. There are smaller spas and tubs that operate on 110/120 volts, but this article is directed at 220/240 volt systems.
Hot Tub Wiring Materials
Breaker: $90–150. 400 feet of #6 wire: $480–$600.
GFCIs are required for all hot tubs. According to the National Electric Code, any outlet that supplies power to a hot tub is required by law to have a GFCI breaker. This includes plug-in hot tubs too. The 220-volt hot tub usually requires a 50-60 AMP breaker.
A hot tub does not have to sit on concrete and can be placed on any stable, level surface that will not become unstable due to moisture or weight. Those surfaces include wooden decks, paver stones, gravel beds, or spa pads.
HOT TUB PLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Your hot tub can be placed just about anywhere—outdoors or even indoors when practical. You can put it on a deck, patio, rooftop entertaining area, or even under a gazebo.
It's best, therefore, to place your spa near an existing drain. If a drain doesn't exist in the location, install one. Also, keep in mind that the drainage channel should direct water away from the spa's equipment compartment, as noted in the delivery instructions.
There are only two ways to connect a hot tub to power. The first is through a low 110 v connection that simply plugs into a wall outlet, and the second is through a 220 v, 230 v, or 240 v connection directly to your home's central circuit breaker box.
| Amperage of Spa | Gauge of Wire |
|---|---|
| 40-50 amp | AWG #8 |
| 60 amp | AWG #6 |
Generally, it is not needed to put a hot tub under a roof. However, there can be various reasons why it does make sense. These are often more harsh environmental conditions like cold, sun, or wind. Or privacy reasons.
How much is it to hook up a hot tub with electric?
Hot tub electrical installation costs $800 to $1,600 to install a new circuit, outlet/subpanel, and wiring up to 100'. A hot tub concrete pad costs $500 to $2,500. Hot tub delivery costs $200 to $500 or $300 to $1,500 to move with a crane.
So, to sum up, portable and inflatable hot tubs can just plug in provided you have a 110-120v 15amp receptacle outlet within 15 feet. Larger permanent hot tubs have to be hard-wired into a 220-240v 40amp circuit. You will also need a circuit breaker of some kind, either a GFCI or a disconnect box.
The electrical connection to the hot tub must be single phase, 220-240 volt 4 wire. The four wires consist of two hots, one ground, and one neutral and must be hard wired to the terminals inside the hot tub control box.
Many people don't realize that winter is the perfect time to enjoy your hot tub. While there are some things you should be aware of, it is perfectly okay to use your hot tub during the winter.
– Longer heat-up time – Less power = more time to heat up the water. – Smaller capacity – If you want to host a crowd, a 240v hot tub is usually a better choice. If your new hot tub is not a 120V plug and play model, you will need to hire a licensed electrician to facilitate the electrical hook up.
Pump efficiency
Some brands of hot tub need to have their pumps running for 24 hours a day. This can lead to higher hot tub running costs. Hydropool hot tubs, however, have very efficient pumps and self-cleaning filtration, which only need to run for 6-8 hours per day so that the cleanliness of the water is maintained.
For people only planning on using the hot tub in the warmer months, plug n play hot tubs can work just fine. If you plan on using the hot tub extensively in the winter, however, the high energy costs and undersized heater of a plug and play mean that you're much better off getting a standard 220V hot tub.
On Dec 31, 1979, the Consumer Products Safety Commission, CSPC, released advisory #79-071. The advisory warned that heat strokes could be caused by water temperatures of 106 °F or higher. The CSPC recommended a maximum temperature of 104°F for both public and private hot tubs and spas.
Typically, the cost to run an energy-efficient hot tub is about $1 per day or a $20-$30 increase in your monthly electric bill. However, if your hot tub is really old or not well taken care of, it could be up to $50 per month.
Installing a 220/240-Volt Outlet
Average costs for a journeyman electrician to install a 220/240-volt outlet is about $300.
What kind of wire do I need for a 220v hot tub?
Upon purchasing the hot tub, many people ask what type & size wire they need for the hot tub install? We recommend looking at our 6 awg thhn/thwn copper building wire for a 220v hot tub that requires 50 amp service, as this is the most popular!
All 220v spas require a 4 wire connection from your main circuit breaker panel. There must be a GFCI disconnect breaker panel at least 5′ from spa and within line of site of spa. Most spas will run effectively on a 50amp 2 pole main circuit breaker. Some spa manufacturers require a 60amp breaker.
The Requirements Stem from the 125% Motor Load Rule, Too
We arrived at 50 amps for a 40 amp tub because of the following formula: 40 x 125% = 50. The same applies to the 48 amp one.
The recommended amperage for a hot tub is 50-60 amps.
Some models might require less, but it's essential to check with your electrician to be sure. Keep in mind that installing a hot tub is a big job, and it's always best to hire a professional electrician to handle the wiring.
What Is The Required Breaker Size For A Hot Tub? A 50 to 60-amp breaker is the best choice for a hot tub. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), an electrician must wire the spa into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This is also known as a GFCI and helps to prevent electrocution.
240-VOLT SPAS AND SWIM SPAS
ALL 240V SPAS WILL REQUIRE A 40, 50, OR 60 AMP 2-POLE GFCI PROTECTED BREAKER.
Any outlet supplying power to the tub must be GFCI protected. Installation of an approved manual disconnect device must be within line of sight of the spa. The disconnect must be adjacent to the tub and no closer than 5 feet away. Buried wires must be at least 18 inches deep.
Electrical Cable for a Hot Tub
6/3 Romex brand or UF cable cannot be run inside long lengths of one inch conduit. Cable may be installed into a short length of conduit where it is used to stub up out of a trench or where emerging from a protected area such as a crawl space under a house.
This is what all those homeowners that mistakenly use 6 AWG gauge wire for 60 amp breaker don't take into account. 6 AWG can only handle 65 amps. Here's what a professional will know: The next wire size that can handle more than 75 amps (as required for a 60 amp breaker) is the 4 AWG gauge wire.
Your electrical service must be able to supply that load, but almost all houses built in the last 40 years will have at least a 100 amp service. If you have an older home with a smaller service than 100 amps, you will need to upgrade it before installing a hot tub.
What happens if you plug a 30 amp into a 50 amp?
When you plug a 30 amp adapter into a 50 amp breaker at the pedestal, the 50 amp breaker will only pop if the amperage goes beyond 50 amps. The problem here is that these adapters and the power cord for your RV are only rated at 30 amps.
Upon purchasing the hot tub, many people ask what type & size wire they need for the hot tub install? We recommend looking at our 6 awg thhn/thwn copper building wire for a 220v hot tub that requires 50 amp service, as this is the most popular!
A majority of hot tubs need a 50 to 60-amp circuit, which requires a voltage of 220 to 240-V.
50 AMP Wire Size
For a maximum of 50 amps, you'll need a wire gauge of 6. Fifty amp breakers are most often used to power many different appliances.
A single receptacle has a maximum power draw of 1.5-amps, so, only use 26 outlets at most for a 50-amp breaker (40-amps ÷ 1.5-amp = 26.67 outlets). Also read: Number of breakers in a 50 amp sub panel.
There are only two ways to connect a hot tub to power. The first is through a low 110 v connection that simply plugs into a wall outlet, and the second is through a 220 v, 230 v, or 240 v connection directly to your home's central circuit breaker box.
To protect your home and outbuildings from potential flooding, keep it at least 5 feet from any structure. Also, locate the spa close to a doorway into the house or provide a small changing area close by for wintertime use.
This upgrade will help to make your system safe and give it the capacity it needs to properly run your new hot tub for months and years to come. Without an electrical panel upgrade, your electrical system won't be able to run your hot tub.