680.21(A) Wiring Methods.
Code Change Summary: Revisions were made to the requirements for wiring of pool motors.
In the 2014 NEC®, Section 680.21(A) provided the types of wiring methods that were permitted for branch circuits serving pool motors. These previous requirements did not consider whether or not the wiring was installed in a normal environment or a corrosive environment.
In the 2017 NEC®, the revised wording draws a clear line between corrosive and noncorrosive environments. The revised text simply requires pool motor wiring to comply with one of the methods listed in 680.14(B) if installed in a corrosive environment, or if not installed in a corrosive environment, any chapter 3 wiring method can be used in accordance with the applicable article.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2014 Code Language:
680.21 Motors.
(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring to a pool motor shall comply with (A)(1) unless modified for specific circumstances by (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5).
(1) General. The branch circuits for pool-associated motors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit, reinforced thermosetting resin conduit, or Type MC cable listed for the location. Other wiring methods and materials shall be permitted in specific locations or applications as covered in this section. Any wiring method employed shall contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.
2017 Code Language:
680.21 Motors.
(A) Wiring Methods. The wiring to a pool motor shall comply with (A)(1) unless modified for specific circumstances by (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5).
(1) General. Wiring methods installed in the corrosive environment described in 680.14 shall comply with 680.14(B) or shall be type MC cable listed for that location. Wiring methods installed in these locations shall contain an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor sized in accordance with Table 250.122 but not smaller than 12 AWG.
Where installed in noncorrosive environments, branch circuits shall comply with the general requirements in Chapter 3.