I recently ran wiring for a hot tub. The inspector failed it.
While I am going to do the recommended action (because there's no point in arguing with the inspector), I'd like to get your thoughts.

According to NEC 2017:

E4203.3 Disconnecting means.

One or more means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors for all utilization equipment, other than lighting, shall be provided. Each of such means shall be readily accessible and within sight from the equipment it serves and shall be located at least 5 feet (1524 mm) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool, spa, or hot tub unless separated from the open water by a permanently installed barrier that provides a 5-foot (1524 mm) or greater reach path. This horizontal distance shall be measured from the water’s edge along the shortest path required to reach the disconnect. (680.12)

END NEC CLIP

His interpretation is that it must be 5' from the WALL that the box is mounted to.

I used the "shortest path required", which puts the box at over 5', but the PVC conduit that feeds it at around 4' 3".
If "measured from the waters edge", it's even further away as I measured from the edge of the spa itself.

When I move the box, I will have to move it down and over, and it will then be on the other side of a screened porch 'wall'. I was trying to keep it in the same 'room'. Now you will have to get off the porch, and go around the corner to turn it off. Though it will still be 'within sight'.

Thoughts?

 

I'm not quite following what's 5' from the wall. The disconnect switch just needs to be at least 5' away from the side of the Spa requiring you to not be in the Spa to turn off the switch.

 

I'm not following either. A picture or two of the setup would be helpful...... How-to-insert-pictures

 

The spa and the gfci disconnect box it is connected to, my reading says 5' between the waters edge and the disconnect box "by shortest path".
His reading says 5' between the spa and the wall (not the box itself) that the box is mounted on.

 

I agree switch the inspector. The horizontal distance should be over.5 foot. Also the disconnect looks.way too high.

 

The disconnect is about 5' above the (not yet) finished floor.
There's no way you will be standing in the spa (which is on the ground) and reach the disconnect (which is about 8' off the ground).

"horizontal distance shall be measured from the water’s edge along the shortest path required to reach the disconnect".

I think my install is correct by the letter and intent of the code.
There was no mention of the length of flex between the disconnect and the spa.
I've read some that say 6' is the limit, others have that limitation removed as long as the flex is adequately secured (every 3' I think). I believe Florida is now on the 2017 NEC, which doesn't have that limit near as I could find.

I'm moving the box, and it will be on the other side of a "permanently installed barrier", though I'm not sure how you install a box behind a barrier and it still be "within sight".

 

I assume there is no leeway to move the hot tub a little further away from the wall?

 

I should have said 5 ft or more, not just more than 5 ft.

 

You are missing the key part of the code. It is the shortest horizontal distance, not just the shortest distance.

 

Hi, just curious are you in Collier county?
Geo

 

I agree with the inspector that the disconnect is too close to the spa. The measurement is always done based on horizontal distance.

Regarding liquidtight flex, it's true there was a 6' limit and that is has recently been removed. Each state has a different adoption date for the NEC so it depends on your state/local jurisdiction as to which version you have to follow.

The disconnect doesn't have to be within line-of-sight if there is a mechanism for locking it.

 

And just about all disconnects do.

 

Sorry it took so long to get back.

I moved the disconnect well to the right of the location it was in. It's probably a good 10' away now.
I also shortened the flex to about 12" outside the spa housing.

New location was approved.

Fun fact, there are videos on youtube showing people installing the disconnect literally next to the spa. In one they are actually IN the spa installing the wiring and breakers. That video was done by 'professional' electricians.

 

That's why you can't believe everything you see on the Net.

 

I see more people doing wrong electrical work on YouTube then people doing things correctly. I even saw a video of a guy showing what an electrical contractor did that was "wrong" and he was showing items that were just fine.