Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: dbldee20 on April 21, 2012, 08:15:37 pm
-
I am setting up a used Jacuzzi J460. How many amps does it draw? there are 3 individual black wires coming from spa. 2 longer than the other. They appear to be 6 or 8 gauge. Can anyone tell me what gauge 220 wire i need to run from panel inside my house? I already have the outdoor GFI sub panel.
Also, I didn't take note of which wire was the ground when I disconnected it(they all look the same aside from length) Any help there?
Thanks
-
You want 220v 50 amp, size of wire much depends on the length of the run. Most will use #6 from house to GFCI then #8 from GFCI to spa. But if you run#6 all the way you would probably be fine. You will prolly have to trim a bit of #6 wire to fit in the terminal block on the spa. The spa from the GFCI will only need 2 loads and a ground no neutral wire
-
It's roughly 50 or 60 feet from main panel to spa. When I picked up the spa I took the GFCI box and wire between it and the spa. Just need to buy wire to run from main panel in my garage to the GFCI box.
-
I would use #6 wire; You could get guy with #8 gauge wire. The maximum current draw on a J 460 36 Amps when you are set up on the 50A configuration which is the default setting.
#8 is good for 45 amps all day long; 50 foot run is nothing; Your code probably requires #6.
-
I don't know what kind or type of GFCI box you have, but if it has a breaker in it, I would consider this: run a neutral wire from the house to it.
You don't need a neutral wire to run your tub. But if you have room in your GFCI box for additional breakers, you will want to have a neutral wire so you can, in fact, use that capability in the future. For example, if you have a basic sub panel to shich you can add a breaker or two, you can put in an outlet to run good things - perhaps a stereo, a small refrigerator (or towel warmer), bug zapper, some Low Voltage lighting, de-icer for the steps or pathway, hard-wire in some additional lighting. You may never use the capacity, but I assure you, if you don't allow for it, you'll want it later.
HTH
8)