Electrical Requirements You Need to Know for Above-Ground Pools

Above-ground pools are one of the best ways for you to take advantage of great weather. If you don’t live near to any of those massive bodies of water, you could still benefit from having a backyard pool installed. However, if you are considering installing an above-ground pool, you might need to pay close attention to the electrical requirements and possibly consult a pool electrician near you. Water and electricity don’t typically mix, so you need to be careful and follow the guidelines when installing one of these fixtures on your property. But what electrical requirements should you be aware of when building an above-ground pool?

The Basic Electricity Requirements You Need to Know

Pumps for above-ground pools have particular needs that owners should learn about when installing them. Typically, these pumps come only in the 120-volt variety and usually have a three-prong plug as their connection method. Most homeowners might consider using an extension cord for a temporary connection until they can get something permanent. The extension cord, in this case, ought to be a #12 or #10 gauge. If you choose a thinner extension wire, you run the risk of the cord burning up.

Additionally, it would help if you plugged your above-ground pool pump into a dedicated circuit. A dedicated circuit serves just one appliance or outlet. The reason you’d want a dedicated circuit here is because of how greedy the pump can get. If you house it on a circuit with another appliance or piece of equipment, you may end up tripping your breaker.

In addition to these wiring concerns, homeowners installing above-ground pools should also pay attention to other stipulations. You shouldn’t have any overhead wires running directly over your pool. In the event those wires snap, they could turn your pool into a deadly place. Any electrical outlets you have near your pool should be ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These outlets are crucial in ensuring people’s safety when an electrical outlet is located near a location with a lot of moisture, such as a pool.

Service Panel Considerations

The requirements you need to know for above-ground pools don’t stop at powering the circuit and making the electrical connections safe in its vicinity. Because of the massive amount of power that your above-ground pool pump is likely to pull, you may need to institute a circuit breaker upgrade. Typically, residential homes have service panels in the range of 200-amp to 400-amp capacity. If you look at your service panel, you’ll realize that several breakers are installed to control the flow of power to different household circuits. In the case of a surge, these breakers trip to protect your appliances. If your breaker panel doesn’t have any more open spots, you may need to upgrade your electrical system. However, even if a breaker has available sites, it doesn’t mean that it can automatically handle the increased load. A qualified electrician can help you determine whether your house needs a service panel upgrade and even help you make it happen.

Hire a Professional

As much as it might seem a simple task to install an above-ground pool, it can be a dangerous pursuit. Electricity can get out of hand in the blink of an eye and have massive and severe consequences. Similarly, trying to install a pool without understanding the pump’s energy requirements could lead to several undesirable situations. If you need professional advice on your above-ground pool requirements and installation, call LiveWire today. We’ll be glad to send out a crew to consult with you and even schedule the job at your convenience. Don’t put your family at risk. Call in the professionals and let us make your pool installation safe and fun.