Hot tub isolation

[JayJayUK]

Hi there folks,

I have a question please regarding Hot Tubs and electrical isolation.

We recently moved where a hot tub is installed in the garden, and has a consumer unit 5 or 6 meters away from it, with 16A RCBO protecting the circuit.

I have seen people say a rotary isolation switch is required on  a hit tub, for maintenance etc.. but given that a consumer unit is so close is this still required here? or should I look to get one installed?

Many thanks for advice.

 

[kerching]

Isolation requires 'disconnection' of all current carrying conductors......i.e. Live and neutral

does the RCBO break BOTH sides?

 

[Murdoch]

My advice would be to get a local spark to check the installation and advise you ....but fwiw I would advise a proper DP isolator and I suspect that the MIs would state they are required 

 

[Andy™]

Isolation requires 'disconnection' of all current carrying conductors......i.e. Live and neutral

does the RCBO break BOTH sides?

only on TT. neutral doesnt have to be isolated on TN

local isolator which switches all live conductors would be a good idea even if not required

 

[JayJayUK]

Hi,

Thanks for reply

It's a Wylex NHXS1B16

Places like Screwfix label this as DP,  but others 1+N. 

 

[Andy™]

Hi,

Thanks for reply

It's a Wylex NHXS1B16

Places like Screwfix label this as DP,  but others 1+N. 

they are switched neutral but not double pole (in that the netral isnt monitored for fault / overload)

 

[Murdoch]

16A doesn’t sound big enough for a hot tub

 

[Andy™]

16A doesn’t sound big enough for a hot tub

fitted supplies for a few that were 16a, although 32a is more common

 

[JayJayUK]

16A doesn’t sound big enough for a hot tub

it's 13amp..  It's not one of the fancy new 32amp tubs sadly.

So, advice here is to get one fitted anyway?

Thankyou

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi,

Thanks for reply

It's a Wylex NHXS1B16

Places like Screwfix label this as DP,  but others 1+N. 

Manufactures info...

assuming that's the same type you have fitted?

https://www.electrium.co.uk/media/20171130143632_0_224019 Wylex SNC RCBO (Web).pdf

Guinness

 

[Sharpend]

Is it on a plug? If so just unplug. 

 

[JayJayUK]

they are switched neutral but not double pole (in that the netral isnt monitored for fault / overload)

I see,  thanks

There is a Double Pole type S time delay 100ma main switch in that consumer unit though, presumably to address this? (Wylex WRMT100/2)

The house is labelled PME, but the earth isn't exported.

The garden has TT earth with 2 x 2.4m earth poles around 15m apart

I don't really want to be forking out loads of money to get everything changed, unless there is a glaring issue with it, it's been here for years without issue up til now

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I see,  thanks

There is a Double Pole type S time delay 100ma main switch in that consumer unit though, presumably to address this? (Wylex WRMT100/2)

The house is labelled PME, but the earth isn't exported.

The garden has TT earth with 2 x 2.4m earth poles around 15m apart

I don't really want to be forking out loads of money to get everything changed, unless there is a glaring issue with it, it's been here for years without issue up til now

So on the one hand you are talking about the supply to this tub being only 5m from the CU...

and now you are talking about the garden having its own TT earth arrangement..

SO..  this CU is not the main house supply CU..?

just the garden supply (inc hot tub) ?

If yes then IMHO.. as you say the main D/P switch on the "Garden CU" can be used to isolate for any maintenance if required if someone considers that the RCBO is not enough.

You have a 13A tub via a 16A/30ma RCBO then a 100ma td RCD main switch...

all from a sub-main from the main house CU presumably?

Guinness

 

[JayJayUK]

So on the one hand you are talking about the supply to this tub being only 5m from the CU...

and now you are talking about the garden having its own TT earth arrangement..

SO..  this CU is not the main house supply CU..?

just the garden supply (inc hot tub) ?

If yes then IMHO.. as you say the main D/P switch on the "Garden CU" can be used to isolate for any maintenance if required if someone considers that the RCBO is not enough.

You have a 13A tub via a 16A/30ma RCBO then a 100ma td RCD main switch...

all from a sub-main from the main house CU presumably?

Guinness

I see the confusion. Apologies i wasn't quite clear enough here.

There is a CU at the end of the garden 5m away from the Hot Tub.

yes its supplied from the house CU via SWA

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I see the confusion. Apologies i wasn't quite clear enough here.

There is a CU at the end of the garden 5m away from the Hot Tub.

yes its supplied from the house CU via SWA

So I can't see any problem....

In the event of a fault you have two RCD's (one time delayed) and a 16A RCBO

(and I assume a 13A cartridge fuse, if plug top or fused spur).

In the event of maintenance you can just switch off the garden CU without risking losing power to any essential services in the house..

Guinness