First, let me say this website is awesome. I recently purchased a used Morgan Spa (about 10 years old). It’s a 4-wire connection (L1, L2, Neutral and GRN) and the SPA power/control box is equipped with a GFCI. Here are some specifications: 240 Volts, 42.5 AMPS, one 1.5 HP pump and 1-phase 60 HZ. When I went to seller’s house to remove the spa, I noticed there was no Cut-off sub panel between the house main Power Box and the spa (spa was only about 20 feet away from the house main Power Box). A person told me since spa was only 20 feet away from the Main panel and spa itself is equipped with GFCI, there was no need for a cut-off sub panel. Is this CORRECT? Also, I thought with a 50 AMP circuit breaker you were supposed to use #6 (AWG) wire size for L1 and L2. But the electrician had used #8 AWG (600 v) wires for L1, L2, #10 for Ground and #12 for neutral. My second question is, Can I use these same wire sizes or I should use #6 for L1 and L2 (knowing that it uses only one 1.5 HP pump and #8 wires are more cost effective)?? My third question is: the electrician had used same #8 wires (both BLACK) for L1 and L2, am I correct to assume that in this wire configuration, L1 is Black and L2 RED?

I am an engineer but not Electrical Engineer. Therefore, I appreciate any feedback….

Lastly, since the Spa itself is equipped with GFCI, do I still need a sub panel with GFCI between main power panel and the spa?

#8 wire is sufficiant for the supply lines, and you can run one size smaller wire for your ground. However, the #8 is sufficiant as it's current capabilities are 46A when enclosed (incl. insulated). Personally I like to have more than a 3.5A cushion. If your electrial supply is putting out a TRUE 240V then you will be ok, but if yours is close to the 220V mark, you will be using every available amp that cable can handle (46amps).

Regarding color, if you have a cable with 4 insulated conductors in it, you will have a Red, Black, White, and Green. However, if you are running individual wire, in conduit, both hots and the neutral can be the same color (black). The thing here is you will need to identify the neutral at both ends of the wire.

The big reason you want the bigger wire is for your heater. Forget about the pump, since that doesn't draw anything in comparison to your heater. If your heater is 7000W, that alone draws nearly 30A.

Personally, I would definentally install a GFI breaker before your run to the spa. I have seen many cases where ONLY the blower is protected by the GFI breaker in the spa panel! A 50A GFI breaker panel is under 100 bucks, and well worth the insurance. Especially considering most of your amperage is going for the heater, which sits directly in water, and is the most likely item to burn out and bleed current into the spa!

To Charger_1: I really appreciate your feedback. I followed all your suggestions. I purchased #6 (4-wire bundle) instead of #8. Also, purchased a 50-amp Square D GFI to place between house main panel and the Spa. So far, I am done with digging, placing PVC pipes, and wiring between the main house panel and the GFCI panel (40 feet). I have about 7 more feet to go from the GFCI panel to the spa, but had to stop due to rain. I am hoping there would not be any operating conflicts between the two GFCIs ( Square D sub panel GFCI and the Spa's GFCI) once I am done with electrical hook-up.....

Regarding the square D subpanel with the gfi's in it... in my experiance, I've never had a problem running a gfi after the main GFI in the house...however, since the whole panel will now be protected, you can simply replace the ones in the tub panel with standard breakers.

Hi. Need help again.
I thought I was almost done with wiring until I noticed a potential discrepancy. I was following a detailed pictorial diagram that I found on internet. This diagram shows wiring for a spa from the Main House panel to the GFCI subpanel (using Square D GFI), and to the spa panel (3 stage wiring). My spa panel also has the letters L1 and L2 and I assumed L1 was BLACK and L2 RED.

From the Main House panel based on this diagram my RED wire on the circuit breaker is going to be where the label “Common Trip” is. But I just noticed that on the GFCI SUBPANEL, my BLACK wire is where the label “Common Trip” is. One thing that I noticed in this diagram/picture, my Square D GFCI seems to be newer than the one on the diagram (mine has 3 terminals on the bottom with neutral in the center. On the diagram it shows 2 terminal on the bottom with neutral behind black terminal). Does this really matter? DO I NEED TO SWITCH THE BLACK AND RED IN THE GFCI SUB PANEL SO "RED" WOULD BE ON “COMMON TRIP” TERMINAL AS WELL?

Please help. I was hoping I would be done with wiring today.

Please disregard my earlier e-mail asking for help. I called in and talked with a very nice female who was very helpful. I was impressed with her knowledge and willingness to help. Last Friday, I finally powered up my spa and so far everything is working........ Again, thanks so much for everyone's help.

I've read this post and understand about 98% of what I need to wire up my new hot tub.

My tub requires a 40AMP dedicated breaker and is about 35 feet from the panel. So I am going with 8 guage, 4 wire. The actual breaker I am pulling from is 70 amp (just because it was already in place), however I am installing a subpanel where lines exit the outer wall of home with a 40amp breaker.

My question is on the subpanel. There is one bus with 2 connections on top, two on bottom (entry, exit I guess?). I think this is the neutral and is the basis of my question. Can someone help to ensure I am using the correct neutral and assuming that is it, where does the regular ground go? (on the metal case I know but anywhere specific? hardware required?).

Appreciate your help.

Eric

Generally there will be two buss bars for your line power, and one terminal strip that is to be bonded (via included green screw) to the chassis for your neutral/ground connection. All this is for the power comming in. Power going out will come from the two hot and neutral will be taken from the GFI breaker that you would install. The ground wire going to the tub will be attached to the bonded ground/neutral buss bar. The white coiled pigtail from the breaker would go to the bonded ground/neutral buss bar.

Perhaps you could post a photo of your box, in case your design is different.