Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 37

Thread: Pool pump DB, fixed appliance or sub DB

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts

    Pool pump DB, fixed appliance or sub DB

    Section 3 Fixed appliance circuits - pool pump.

    Would you tick the pool pump DB as a fixed appliance or a Pool DB ?

    Would you regard the pool DB, pump and pool light as a fixed appliance ?

    What happens if the Poll DB has other circuit connected, like garden lights or a weather socket outlet in the garden or maybe even a gate with pillar lights?
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  2. #2
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Fourways
    Posts
    759
    Thanks
    119
    Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts
    Hello

    Finally back, Tapatalk app gave me shite and also been a bit busy.

    Trying to catch up on the stove isolator thread but saw this haha.

    I too wish to find a definitive answer or reasoning for which ever.

    I before treated each pool DB as a sub DB and got its own test report. They pretty much always fail those pool DBs for various reasons so always a headache and client says "but it works why must I pay".

    Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    I agree ... the double pole main switch of a "Pool DB" should be in a separate compartment or on the top of side of the pool DB or on the wall next to the pool pump/DB.

    The pool guy shouldnt be opening the pool/ Sub DB.

    It gets even more complicated ... because not all pool DB's are fed from an earth leakage ... some have the earth leakage installed in the pool DB.

    In reality the pool guy shouldnt be opening the pool DB .. .the pump has a socket outlet on the side of the DB (which is why earth leakage protection is required) however the pool light creates a challenge ... the transfomer should be in a separate compartment fed from a combo breaker/isolator and I seen a few with fuses for the transfomer.

    Then you have the other challenges were the pool lights are not fed from a pool DB and the pumps are part of a bigger setup.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  4. #4
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Port Elizabeth
    Posts
    1,236
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 304 Times in 258 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ians View Post
    I agree ... the double pole main switch of a "Pool DB" should be in a separate compartment or on the top of side of the pool DB or on the wall next to the pool pump/DB.

    The pool guy shouldnt be opening the pool/ Sub DB.

    .
    If we do not want the pool guy opening the " pool motor control centre" , then we cannot say that the pool " DB" is a fixed appliance

    Can't have it both ways .

    Same a s a geyser - We want to call the geyser a fixed appliance and then want to stop the plumber from working on the fixed appliance
    A stove - Same story , stove technician opens it and plays with the electrical circuit , aircon etc.

    If we called it a fixed appliance then a fixed appliance can be worked on by the fixed appliance technician, In my opinion

  5. #5
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    cape town
    Posts
    46
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Generally No pool company does a pool board in compliant way as they not electricians but know how to connect a breaker.Often has connector blocks and no main switch if is a sub board.Also pool pump needs it own plug as it is a fixed appliance.Mosly wired in.Pool boards...normally a mess and then you work on them timers can go funny.

  6. #6
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Port Elizabeth
    Posts
    1,236
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 304 Times in 258 Posts
    If the pool db feeds swimming pool only - has a separate isolator mounted above the DB as required under fixed appliance then it can be a fixed appliance.

    The minute you take a garden light or plug for the lawnmower from that "pool DB " it then becomes a sub DB and needs to comply to DB's

  7. Thank given for this post:

    Dave A (16-Feb-22)

  8. #7
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by GCE View Post
    If the pool db feeds swimming pool only - has a separate isolator mounted above the DB as required under fixed appliance then it can be a fixed appliance.
    Something I have never seen ... an isolator above the DB ... mainly because the Pool DB has a main switch pre wired in the DB ... so if there is no isolator before the DB its a Sub DB.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  9. Thanks given for this post:

    Dylboy (16-Feb-22)

  10. #8
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,649
    Thanks
    3,305
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by GCE View Post
    If the pool db feeds swimming pool only - has a separate isolator mounted above the DB as required under fixed appliance then it can be a fixed appliance.

    The minute you take a garden light or plug for the lawnmower from that "pool DB " it then becomes a sub DB and needs to comply to DB's
    That's been my understanding, except using the term "control panel" when it is not a DB
    Could there also be a lockable isolator in the supplying DB rather than an isolator within arms reach of the control panel?
    (Yes. Yes. I know "lockable isolators" are another can of worms )

  11. #9
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Port Elizabeth
    Posts
    1,236
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 304 Times in 258 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    That's been my understanding, except using the term "control panel" when it is not a DB
    Could there also be a lockable isolator in the supplying DB rather than an isolator within arms reach of the control panel?
    (Yes. Yes. I know "lockable isolators" are another can of worms )
    In my opinion the isolator would need to be at the control box in the event of removal
    The pool guy is not a electrician and will be the one working on the appliance.
    Will he always be able to access the DB when he comes to carry out repairs ?

    Could reg below come into play ,


    6.16.5.1.4 Each motor shall be supplied by a manually operated disconnector
    or any other manually operated disconnecting arrangement such as a
    withdrawable circuit-breaker, a removable link, a fuse or by the removal of a
    plug from a socket-outlet, which provides at least the same isolating distance,
    for the sake of safety, as a disconnector that is
    a) readily accessible and mounted on or next to the motor, or
    b) visible from the motor, or
    c) lockable in the open position, or
    d) housed in a lockable enclosure other than a distribution board.


    5.3.7 Disconnecting devices
    An installation shall have disconnecting devices that allow the installation to
    be disconnected for maintenance, testing, fault detection or repair. In the case
    of circuits or items of equipment, additional disconnecting devices could be
    required to allow disconnection for maintenance, testing, fault detection or
    repair of such circuits or equipment.


    5.3.8 Positioning and accessibility of electrical equipment
    Electrical equipment shall be so positioned that
    a) it does not impair the functioning or safety of other equipment,
    b) it is readily accessible for installation, replacement, operation, testing,
    inspection, maintenance and repair (see 6.6.1.9 and 6.9.4 for the main
    switch). All parts of the installation shall be accessible without the need to
    enter any adjoining premises (for example, in an apartment building),
    NOTE Common areas (such as passages and entrance halls) are not regarded as
    adjoining areas.
    c) there is easy access to its location
    ,

  12. #10
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,649
    Thanks
    3,305
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by GCE View Post
    In my opinion the isolator would need to be at the control box in the event of removal
    The pool guy is not a electrician and will be the one working on the appliance.
    Will he always be able to access the DB when he comes to carry out repairs ?

    Could reg below come into play ,


    6.16.5.1.4 Each motor shall be supplied by a manually operated disconnector
    or any other manually operated disconnecting arrangement such as a
    withdrawable circuit-breaker, a removable link, a fuse or by the removal of a
    plug from a socket-outlet, which provides at least the same isolating distance,
    for the sake of safety, as a disconnector that is
    a) readily accessible and mounted on or next to the motor, or
    b) visible from the motor, or
    c) lockable in the open position, or
    d) housed in a lockable enclosure other than a distribution board.
    Ah. The "motors" requirement for disconnecting devices. But isn't that why the pump motor is normally plugged into a socket outlet on the control panel?

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. speck pump pool LED pool lights
    By ians in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 22-Nov-21, 06:34 PM
  2. Fixed appliance next to a water tap
    By GCE in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 26-Jun-18, 10:59 PM
  3. Fixed appliance /Earth Leakage
    By Gtfast in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 14-May-16, 02:37 PM
  4. Earth leakage trips when it's raining - pool pump unit the cause.
    By Boeriemore in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 29-Nov-13, 04:25 PM
  5. Looking for an Appliance Technician
    By HR Solutions in forum Local Ads on TFSA
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-Sep-13, 09:38 PM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •