National Electrical Code

Code Q&A

Nov. 7, 2005

A fellow electrician told me if I were to wire an aboveground storable pool pump motor for 240V operation, the receptacle outlet would need to be located 10 feet from the pool. I thought five feet was the minimum. Who’s right?

Mike Holt

Q. A fellow electrician told me if I were to wire an aboveground storable pool pump motor for 240V operation, the receptacle outlet would need to be located 10 feet from the pool. I thought five feet was the minimum. Who’s right?

A. Your electrician buddy is almost right. According to 680.34, all receptacles must be located no less than 10 feet from the inside walls of a storable pool. So voltage is not really the issue in this case. In addition, GFCI protection is required for all electrical equipment, including power-supply cords, used with storable pools [680.32]. If I were you, I’d connect the pool pump motor to a 125V GFCI receptacle that’s located 10 feet or more away from the pool.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.