680.22(A)(1) Required Receptacle, Location.
Code Change Summary: Changes in 680.22(A) now require a receptacle installed between 6 ft. and 20 ft. from the pool for all locations, not just dwelling unit pools.
For years, a convenience receptacle has been required near the pool at dwelling units. The reason is to avoid swimmers using extension cords around the pool because there are no receptacles nearby.
In the 2014 NEC®, section 680.22(A) has been changed significantly and now, a single phase, 15 or 20-amp, 125-volt receptacle is required no closer than 6 ft. and no further than 20 ft. from the inside wall of any pool, not just dwelling unit pools.
As well, the requirement to only allow a twist-lock type receptacle, no closer than 6 ft. from the pool, to serve pumps that circulate pool water, has been deleted. There was no reason to require a pump receptacle 6 ft. away from the pool to be of the locking configuration since the convenience receptacle for the swimmers could also be 6 ft. away and was not required to be of the locking configuration.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70 (National Electrical code).
2011 Code Language:
680.22(A)
(1) Circulation and Sanitation System, Location. Receptacles that provide power for water pump motors or for other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation system shall be located at least 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of the pool, or not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of the pool if they meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Consist of single receptacles
(2) Employ a locking configuration
(3) Are of the grounding type
(4) Have GFCI protection
(2) Other Receptacles, Location. Other receptacles shall be not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a pool.
(3) Dwelling Unit(s). Where a permanently installed pool is installed at a dwelling unit(s), no fewer than one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not more than 6.0 m (20 ft) from, the inside wall of the pool. This receptacle shall be located not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) above the floor, platform, or grade level serving the pool.
2014 Code Language:
680.22(A)
(1) Required Receptacle, Location. Where a permanently installed pool is installed, no fewer than one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from, and not more than 6.0 m (20 ft) from, the inside wall of the pool. This receptacle shall be located not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in.) above the floor, platform, or grade level serving the pool.
(2) Circulation and Sanitation System, Location. Receptacles that provide power for water-pump motors or for other loads directly related to the circulation and sanitation system shall be located at least 3.0 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of the pool, or not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of the pool if they meet all of the following conditions:
(1) Consist of single receptacles
(2) Are of the grounding type
(3) Have GFCI protection
(3) Other Receptacles, Location. Other receptacles shall be not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) from the inside walls of a pool.