You must have heard of the benefits of swimming, including keeping fit, relaxing, alleviating stress, and many others. These motivate many people to install an above-ground pool in their backyard. But, to maintain a constant supply of clean water, you need an electric pump , electrical outlets, and that means electricity. The components in pools are susceptible to electrical failure and faults — hence the need to safety proof it all and prevent electrocution due to exposed or poorly installed wiring.
Above Ground Pool Explained
Above ground pools are a great option for people who want the benefits of a pool without having to dig one in their yard. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so there’s sure to be one that fits your needs. One downside is that they don’t last as long as in-ground pools and they require more maintenance for function and safety. This type of pool, you also need a pump to function optimally.
What You Need to Know About The Pump
A pump is a critical component, and most above-ground pool pumps come with a standard 110-120 volts (V) rating. But you can also get one with a dual rating of 115/230V, which works with the standard voltage and a 230V supply.
Pumps rely on a three-prong plug to safely supply electricity from a standard socket. These plugs are earthed to protect users from electrical shocks should they touch the metal cases during operation. But, earthing is poor in preventing electrical shocks.
Keep Safe — Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) In The Swimming Pool’s Electrical Outlets
Since you cannot entirely rely on earthing to prevent injury or death, you need a ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for your electrical outlets installed near the pool. These highly sensitive circuits detect a slight difference in the amount of power flowing into and out of them. Then, in seconds, it trips to cut off power when electrical circuits come into contact with water, thus preventing electrocution to swimmers.
Reason to Use GFCIs for Swimmwers’ Safety
The US. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 66 people were injured, half of them fatally, due to electric pool shock drowning between 2002 and 2018. These injuries are avoidable by installing a simple GFCI on the electrical outlets.
Secure the Pump’s Connection to Avoid Electrical Injuries
A pump requires a dedicated circuit from the electric box free from electrical faults. That will help avoid surges and circuit breakers tripping. Alternatively, you can identify a circuit line that is not used by other high-power-consuming appliances and connect it.
Wiring the pump is as simple, and you can do it in two ways. One is a permanent power supply cable. That means the line is buried in the ground. You’ll need to run the cord in a PVC conduit that will protect it while underground.
The second is a temporal connection where the cable is connected to the home power outlet and lies on the ground when in use. Note: you should be careful to avoid trips and falls.
Another thing to consider is the pump’s power consumption because pumps are relatively power-hungry. Please follow the manufacturer’s cord recommendations to avoid instances of overheating and burning.
Fun Swimming Starts With Electrical Safety
Electrical safety for above-water pools is paramount when electric pumps and other components are connected to the pools. If you don’t install GFCI protection, ensure no device is connected to the electric outlets near the pool. Call us, the electrician, in case of or in suspicion of any electrical malfunction in your pool. Better to be safe than sorry.
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