What type of breakers for pool panel?

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fields_g

Well-known member
Dec 25, 2014
171
Rockville, MD
I had rusty curcuit breaker, timers, and light transformer boxes. They were being held closed by paper clamps and at shoulder height of my two young kids. They needed to be fixed. I bought a combined circuit breaker, transformer, timer housing.

https://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-T40004RT3-Panel-Transformer-300-Watt/dp/B004P1ITOE

I thought my existing Square D curcuit breakers would fit, but evidently I need the "homeline" style. All existing breakers were just traditional breakers. But since I need to buy new breakers,, should I purchase them with integrated any of the GCFI, AFCI, CAFCI protection features? I need to get 2x single pole 15 amp breakers (light and GCFI outlet) and 2x 2 pole 15 amp breakers (filter and cleaner pump).

Thanks
 
Pool light and pumps should be on GFCI breakers.

Outlet should either be on a GFCI breaker or use a GFCI outlet. You don't need both.

You sure that your pumps should be on a 15A 220 breaker vs a 20A 220 breaker? If you have 14 gauge wire to the pumps use a 15A breaker. If you have 12 gauge wire to the pump then use a 20A breaker.
 
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Yea I thought it strange to see only 15 amp on a dual pole. I have to look closer at the wire gauge. The filter pump (listed in sig) is rated for .4 to 10 amps, well under the 15 amps. The 3/4hp cleaner pump I'm guessing is a pb4-60 (12.8 amps). So, 15 amp seems capable of supporting that equipment.

GFCI seemed to make sense. I'm curious if GCFI/AFCI combo breakers have any added value.
 
fields_g said:
Yea I thought it strange to see only 15 amp on a dual pole. I have to look closer at the wire gauge. The filter pump (listed in sig) is rated for .4 to 10 amps, well under the 15 amps. The 3/4hp cleaner pump I'm guessing is a pb4-60 (12.8 amps). So, 15 amp seems capable of supporting that equipment.

GFCI seemed to make sense. I'm curious if GCFI/AFCI combo breakers have any added value.
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Wattage is allowed to be 80% of breaker maximum. So 15A breaker should have max of 12A. Your Pb4 pump needs 20A breaker and 12 gauge wire.
 
Check the wire size.

Are the pumps running on 115V or 230V now?
 
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You dont need arc faults only gfci breakers. I prefer to use gfci breakers and regular plugs outdoors there are less nuisance trips that way. Online is usually cheaper for double pole breakers bigbox stores can be expensive for gfci
 
I went with 2x 20 amp 2-pole GFCI and 2x 15 amp 1-pole GFCI Square D Homeline. I did cut a corner though..... I got them from ebay. Total cost came out to be $160.

I currently have a gfci outlet, but I'll move that use a standard outlet that relies on a GFCI breaker. If it gets damaged out on the pad and I'd rather replace a cheap outlet, while having an additional protected outlet in the garage.

Now I just have to get the conduit pathing all figured out. I plan to use solid conduit as much as reasonable.
 
just make sure that wire is 12guage for that 20amp breaker. also by NEC code you must use thxn in the conduit you cannot use romex wire or solid wire. you should be able to run it all in conduit fairly easily its not that hard to do. you can cheat and use flex if you have some weird bends you dont want to mess with and then just strap it down when done
 

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They sell individual wire that is not stranded its solid core copper it cannot be used in conduit. Looks just like the wire inside romex when you strip the jacket off it. You need a nuetral in addition to a ground wire in conduit and your power wire. When I say flex I mean liquidtite I'm not referring to BX cable which uses the armor as the ground sorry if I confused you
 
jimmythegreek said:
They sell individual wire that is not stranded its solid core copper it cannot be used in conduit. Looks just like the wire inside romex when you strip the jacket off it. You need a nuetral in addition to a ground wire in conduit and your power wire. When I say flex I mean liquidtite I'm not referring to BX cable which uses the armor as the ground sorry if I confused you
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I would hope even someone not use to working with ele. would never put un-insulated wire in conduit.
Stranded or solid thnn is fine in conduit.
 
I'm all set. Originally had 4 conductor wiring with insulated ground and correct separation of ground and neutral bars. Since I'm consolidating boxes, there is lots of extra existing wire and conduit. Additionally, I purchased 50ft of 10 awg thhn. Should be set.

Thanks.
 
kairus00 re-read my post.....I did say to use thwn and to not use solid core. many states dont allow solid wire in conduit as does parts of the NEC and you must use stranded. the purpose is to not break the continuity of the wire when pulling on it as stranded flexes
 
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