blake Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 My pre delivery guide for my hottub states the following: "your new spa requries a dedicated 50 amp GFCI service with four #6 AWG copper wires.....You can use #6 for distances up to 85 feet. Wire runs over 85 feet must increase to #4 gauge." Are they talking for the TOTAL run or just from the GFCI breaker to the spa? # 4 for the total run seems to be major overkill, but I do not want to void my warranty. The spa company's phone people cannot answer with any degeree of confidence. My electrician told me the run from my main to the GFCI is 160- 170 feet max, the spa is less that 10 feet away from the GFCI box..............any comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyBubbles Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 With a run that big from your panel to the gfci, you would definately want to upgrade. But, the only thing that suprises me is saying #6 is standard and you should upgrade to #4. I would think #8 would be standard and you should upgrade to #6, especially if you only require a 50 amp breaker. What spa are you buying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Spa Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Total run, and if you vary from the manufacturers printed instructions you risk voiding the warranty and frying electronics.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickJ Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 It doesn't make any sense to use undersized wire from the panel to the GFCI box, and then use the correct size wire from the GFCI to the tub. You would still be underpowered. You'll need to run the #4 wire for the entire run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooold ohio Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Make sure that a 50A will run the pumps and the heater! You may need a 60A to run the pumps and the heater at the same time! This is the case with my Sundance Altamar if I would have taken the dealers advice I would have only has a 50 amp box and the heater would not run when both pumps are running. ASK TO SEE THE OWNER'S MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blake Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks guys. The spa is a Cal-Spa. The Pre delivery Guide and Owner's manuals are online and they clearly say 50 AMP, so I do not think 60A is needed . The 160-170 feet max is really probably closer to 100-110 feet. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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