Hope I can post this here. Need advice from all the smart electricians we have.
I'm installing a 220V hot tub,running 6/3 wire from main pole box to the tub,about 75/80' through conduit. Wondering if I can get 120V out of the tub disconnect to run a few plugs on the deck? I know about the GFI stuff.Looking to run 2 plugs for deck lights.
One other question,tub is rated 40 amps,but disconnects I'm finding come with 50 amp breakers,also what breaker to install in the main box--50amp?
"If momma not happy ....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys .
I have seen it done all the time...incorrectly. If you are going to do it, the best way would be to run a sub panel outside and then feed the hot tub (with a 50 or 40 amp breaker and feed, depending on the rating of the hot tub) and then feed the receptacles (with a 20 amp breaker and feed).
The reason you cannot just tap off the hot leg of the hot tub for the receptacle is this: The circuit is protected at 50A or 40A. If there is a fault on the receptacle leg (say 30-35A worth), then the 20A receptacle wire can burn up and cause a fire and the 50A or 40A breaker may not even trip.
Replace the 50A breaker in the disconnect with a 40A breaker or special order a 40A hot tub disconnect.
40A breaker in the panel if you are using a 40A disconnect and 50A breaker if 50A disconnect. Although technically, you could use the 50A breaker in the panel even with the 40A disconnect.
You could "tap" out of the existing hot tub disconnect, but you would need to install a 20A breaker right after the tap. By the time you do that, you would be better off installing the sub-panel (safer).
When someone says, "I'm not book smart, I'm street smart." All I hear is, "I'm not real smart, I'm imaginary smart."
Many years ago I helped a friend install his hot tub. We installed a 50A 240V feed from the main panel to a four-circuit sub panel. In the sub-panel we installed the 40A two-pole breaker (240V) for the hot tub's heater & pump, plus a 15A single-pole breaker (120V) for the hot-tub's lights & sound system. The sub-panel and breakers came with his tub. It also had a spot for a future single-pole breaker, but it was already close to maxing the 50A feed when everything was on.
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going to need 4 wire cable, not 3 wire or did you use 6/3 wg (with ground) already?most times today they assume the ground and do not count it.ie 6/3 would have 4 wires. Yes, install a sub panel.
Another word of caution: The 240 volt wire that goes to my pool pump is 12/2 w/ground. The voltage between the black and white wires is 240 volts.
Some dryer outlets are wired the same way.
Always, always test the circuit with a volt meter before you plug your RV into it. Too many stories on these forums of people who have fried every electronic device in their RV by not testing first.
I would also consider using a 12 volt landscape-type lighting system that is housed in a rainproof NEMA enclosure positioned and located in such a manner as to minimize any risk of water entry. 120vac around water scares the bejeezus out of me.