Above Ground Pool Bonding – Why it’s Necessary?

Above ground pool bonding is a critical safety measure that ensures the electrical safety of your pool area, but unfortunately, I often see pool owners overlook this important step.

Let’s break it down. When you have an above ground pool, you typically rely on electrical equipment like a pump, lights, or a saltwater system to keep everything running smoothly. These devices are installed outdoors and exposed to all kinds of weather—sun, rain, snow, you name it – these devices can potentially leak electricity.

It’s easy to overlook this step, especially if you’ve never had a problem before, but trust me, it’s one of those things where prevention is far better than cure. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in keeping your swimming environment safe.

So the first step to safety is Bonding. Most jurisdictions have specific regulations regarding pool bonding. These requirements are typically outlined in local building codes and national electrical standards, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC).

What is Exactly Pool Bonding?

Bonding, also known as electrical bonding, involves connecting all metallic components of the pool to create an equal electrical potential. This includes:

• Metal parts of the pool shell
• Metal fittings and fixtures
• Pool pump motors and their housings
• Any metal ladders or handrails
• Metal piping within five feet of the pool

The purpose is to ensure that all these components maintain the same electrical potential, preventing the flow of current between them. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), a minimum of #8 AWG bare copper wire should be used for bonding.

Let me explain a bit for anyone who might not fully understand—if you’re already familiar with this, feel free to skip ahead.
It might seem a bit confusing, so let me break it down with an example. Ever noticed a group of birds sitting on power lines and wondered why they’re not getting electrocuted?

Think of electricity like water—it always seeks the quickest path from a high electrical potential to a low electrical potential.

Now, imagine your pool ladder becomes electrified, and you’re standing in the pool. If you accidentally touch the ladder (which has a high potential), the electricity will travel through your body into the water (which has a lower potential). Your body becomes the bridge for the electricity, and that’s how you get shocked.

Here’s where bonding comes in. Bonding ensures that all metal parts and the water in your pool have the same electrical potential. With everything at the same level, if there’s an electrical leak, the current won’t try to pass through your body because it already has a direct path. In other words, bonding makes sure the electricity takes the quickest route without putting you in danger but make sure to use a GFCI with a cover for maximum safety.

Bonding and Grounding

While often confused, bonding and grounding serve different purposes in electrical safety:

• Bonding: Connects conductive parts to ensure they have the same electrical potential, preventing current flow between them.
• Grounding: Provides a direct path for fault currents to return to the earth, typically through a ground rod or other grounding electrode.

Guide to Bonding an Above-Ground Pool

Step 1: Prepare Materials

To properly bond your above-ground pool, you’ll need the following tools and materials:

• Solid copper wire (typically 8 AWG or larger)
• Bonding lugs (for attaching wire to metal components)
• Bonding Kits (connected with the pool water in direct)
• Bonding Bridge
• Screwdriver and wrench set
• Electric drill
• Waterproof silicone sealant

Step 2: Create a Bonding Grid (or Bonding ring):

You need to establish a bonding grid around the pool. This grid should be:

• 18-24 inches from the pool’s edge
• 4-6 inches below grade level

Step 3: Bond the Pool Water

To bond the water, you can use a bonding lug connected to the pool’s filtration system. This is typically done by:

• Installing a bonding wire within the skimmer or filter system.
• Important: Ensuring that the wire connects to the water, which is conductive due to the minerals and chemicals present in it.

Also, from my experience, there’s a much easier way to handle this. All you need is a Bonding Kit. It’s simple—just drill a small hole in the skimmer, insert and tighten it up. It’s really that convenient.

Step 4: Connect All Equipment

Ensure that all electrical equipment related to the pool is bonded together. This includes:

• Pool pumps
• Heaters
• Lighting fixtures
• Any other electrical devices near the pool

Each of these components should be connected to the bonding grid using the same #8 AWG copper wire. Connections must be secure and made using appropriate methods (avoid using sheet metal screws) to ensure good electrical continuity.

Diagram

Here’s a quick above ground pool bonding diagram i put together using Canva to help you visualize the bonding process. I admit, it’s a bit rough around the edges, so please bear with me.

In the diagram, the red circle represents the #8 AWG copper wire. This wire begins at the Bonding Bridge. Personally, I like to mount the Bonding Bridge on a 30x4x4 wooden post about 6 feet away from the pool. This post also comes in handy for mounting the Twist-lock receptacle and Ground fault receptacle.

One crucial detail to remember: The bonding ring must complete a full circle, meaning it starts and ends at the same point. So, if you start at the Bonding Bridge, you’ll loop all the way around and end there as well. If you begin at the pump instead of the Bonding Bridge, then you’ll finish at the pump.

At the pool wall, there are four connection points that should be evenly spaced. Here, you’ll need to drill a small hole in the pool’s frame, insert the bonding lug, and secure it tightly. Then, connect the wire to the bonding ring.

For the skimmer, you’ll follow a similar process, but for added convenience, you can use the Bonding Kit that I mentioned earlier.

Legal and Safety Compliance

Overview of Regulations

Pool bonding regulations can vary depending on your location, but most jurisdictions in the United States follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines. Key points typically include:

1. ALL metal parts within 5 feet of the pool must be bonded (Remember: All metal parts)
2. The bonding wire must be at least 8 AWG solid copper.
3. A water bonding plate or ring must be installed to bond the pool water.
4. The pool pump and other electrical equipment must be properly bonded and grounded.

Improper Connections

Loose or corroded connections can compromise the entire bonding system. Improper connection techniques may lead to disconnections over time or inadequate bonding.

To ensure proper connections:

• Use appropriate bonding lugs designed for pool environments.
• Clean all metal surfaces before attaching bonding lugs.
• Tighten all connections securely, but avoid over-tightening which can damage components.
• Apply a corrosion-inhibiting compound to connections in highly corrosive environments.

Neglecting the Water Bond

Some pool owners overlook the importance of bonding the pool water itself, which is typically done through a water bonding plate or ring.

To properly bond the water:

• Install a bonding kit according to manufacturer instructions.
• Ensure the bonding plate has adequate contact with the pool water.
• Connect the water bonding device to the main bonding grid.

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