2023 Code Year: NEC 680

NEC Article 680 mandates electrical protection guidelines of aquatic structures. Learn more about ground fault protection for pools, spas, fountains, and more.

What is NEC 680?

NEC Article 680 and all of its subsets involve swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations. In particular, that means that this Article deals with the electrical protection of all equipment involved in swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools, fountains, hot tubs, spas, and hydromassage bathtubs.

As in many other NEC Articles, there is mention of GFCI protection, but in NEC 680 there are many parts that involve specifications and needs of GFCI protection in this section (8 to be exact). Here are all 8 subsections, starting with:

NEC Article 680.5

This section dictates the overarching reach of Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) and Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (SPGFCI) protection. There are 3 parts to this subset, and they are as follows:

This part, which is stated as “general”, just dictates that all GFCI and SPGFCI requirements in this Article must follow 210.8 (Class A protection) unless otherwise directed in the next 2 parts.
This section is specified for equipment that is not more than 150V to ground. In more detail, branch circuits not exceeding 150VAC to ground, 60A, and single or three phase, need Class A GFCI protection.
This part deals with equipment in excess of 150V to ground. In more detail, receptacles and outlet junctions on branch circuits operating at voltages greater than 150V to ground, although not exceeding a 480V maximum system voltage, shall be equipped with SPGFCI protection with a maximum trip setting of 20mA.

NEC Article 680.21

This subset of Article 680 deals with motors involved in pools. There are 2 parts in this subsection that have relation to GFCI and SPGFCI protection which include:

This article is for the ground fault protection of outlet junctions for pool motors. It states that pool pump motors need to have GFCI protection that comply with either 680.5(B) or (C) based on voltage specifications.
This part handles pool pump motor replacement or repair. If a motor is replaced or repaired, the installation must be provided with the proper GFCI or SPGFCI protection according to 680.5(B) or (C).

NEC Article 680.22

This subsection deals with the lighting, receptacles, and equipment for permanently installed pools. Further down in this section, part 680.22(B)(4) states that there needs to be GFCI or SPGFCI protection in accordance with 680.5(B) or (C) for all luminaires, lighting outlets, and ceiling-suspended paddle fans that are between 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m) from the inside of a pool’s walls.

NEC Article 680.32

This section was made to give specifications for GFCI and SPGFCI protection guidelines for all of the electrical equipment (e.g. power-supply cords) used with storable pools, hot tubs, and spas. They shall have the protection in accordance with either 680.5(B) or (C) depending on voltage specification of the equipment.

It states that any receptacles of 125V through 250V, up to 60 Amps, situated within 20 ft (6 m) of the containment walls of the specific storable pool, hot tub, or spa also need the specified protection above.

NEC Article 680.43

This subsection states the specifications for the indoor installations of hot tubs and spas. The ground fault protection part of this subsection, 680.43(A)(2), states that any receptacles of 125V through 250V, up to 60 Amps, situated within 10 ft (3 m) of the containment wall of the hot tub or spa require GFCI protection according to 680.5(B) or SPGFCI protection according to 680.5(C), depending on the electrical specifications of the hot tub or spa.

NEC Article 680.44

This section continues with giving GFCI and SPGFCI protection guidelines for hot tubs and spas. There are 3 sections which include:

This is the general section, stating that unless otherwise stated in the next two parts, the spa or hot tub needs to follow section 680.5(B) or (C) for required GFCI or SPGFCI protection according to power specifications of the appliance.
Any of the listed subcomponents (lights, blowers, pumps, heaters, sanitizers, etc.) involved with a spa or hot tub that is a listed product encompassing an integral GFCI in its construction does not need additional ground fault protection.
This part of subset 680.44 has the guidelines for gas-fired water heaters. It says that any circuit serving a gas-fired hot tub or spa heater operating above the intrinsic safety voltage limit requires ground fault protection.

NEC Article 680.58

This subsection dictates the GFCI and SPGFCI protection for fountains. It states that all receptacles of 125V through 250V, up to 60 Amps, situated within 20 ft (6 m) of a fountain basin shall have GFCI protection correlating with 680.5(B) or SPGFCI protection according to 680.5(C).

NEC Article 680.59

This subsection dictates the GFCI and SPGFCI protection for non-submersible pump motors. It states that the junction outlets that supply all permanently installed non-submersible pump motors are required to have GFCI protection according to 680.5(B) or SPGFCI protection according to 680.5(C) when applicable.

What does this Code mean?

There are a lot of different parts to NEC 680 regarding GFCI and SPGFCI protection, but the bottom line is you are either following code 210.8 for Class A (6mA) GFCI protection, and if there is any question or additional information added, follow 680.5(B) for GFCI protection and 680.5(C) for Class C (20mA) SPGFCI protection.