Pool pump bonding

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Must a pool pump be bonded? (See the attached photo which would seem to answer my question.) If so, what would they bond it to? The ground rod was on the other side of the house and the plumbing pipes were PEX.

Why would that be necessary if the pump has a grounded (3 prong) power cord?

[Larry D. Kage]

I don't see many pools but this thread has a similar discussion:

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/pool-...111/#post23588

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Doesn't look like there's much to bond on this pool, with the exception of the pump motor.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Yes, generally on a permenent installed pool with pool pump motors you would indeed bond the pool pump motor. It gets bonded to the equipotential plane that is required at the pool.

680.26(B) Bonded Parts.

The parts specified in 680.26(B)(1)
through (B)(7) shall be bonded together using solid copper
conductors, insulated covered, or bare, not smaller than
8 AWG or with rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified
corrosion-resistant metal. Connections to bonded
parts shall be made in accordance with 250.8. An 8 AWG or
larger solid copper bonding conductor provided to reduce
voltage gradients in the pool area shall not be required to be
extended or attached to remote panelboards, service equipment,
or electrodes.
(6) Electrical Equipment.
Metal parts of electrical equipment
associated with the pool water circulating system,
including pump motors and metal parts of equipment associated
with pool covers, including electric motors, shall be
bonded.
Exception: Metal parts of listed equipment incorporating
an approved system of double insulation shall not be
bonded.
(a) Double-Insulated Water Pump Motors. Where a
double-insulated water pump motor is installed under the
provisions of this rule, a solid 8 AWG copper conductor of
sufficient length to make a bonding connection to a replacement
motor shall be extended from the bonding grid to an
accessible point in the vicinity of the pool pump motor.
Where there is no connection between the swimming pool
bonding grid and the equipment grounding system for the
premises, this bonding conductor shall be connected to the
equipment grounding conductor of the motor circuit.
(b) Pool Water Heaters. For pool water heaters rated
at more than 50 amperes and having specific instructions
regarding bonding and grounding, only those parts designated
to be bonded shall be bonded and only those parts
designated to be grounded shall be grounded.

Hope this helps....

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Thanks guys for your input. It seems it all hangs on the definition of "permanently installed" pool. This is an above ground and probably doesn't meet that def. If you disagree, please let me know.

[Jim Port]

Per 680 Definitions

Permanently installed swimming, wading, and therapeutic pools. Those that are constructed in the ground or partially in the ground, and all others capable of holding water in a deppt greater than 1 meter (42 inches), and all pools installed inside of a building, regardless of water depth, whether or not served by electrical circuits of any nature.

I would say the pool shown meets that definition.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I agree with Jim.....if deeper than 42 inches and is most certainly falling under the "All Others" label...it would be permenent to me and my electrical inspectors.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Here's a couple of pics of my pool (above ground) pump bonding wire. The electrician attached it to the base of the pool.

[David A. Andersen]

Don't ask me why, or what the difference is, but above ground does not require the same bonding as in ground.
The second is "closer to ground" than either.???!!!

A pool is a pool.
I think they all should be bonded, but this is about code which "holds little water with me" (pun intended)!