Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Help Wiring a Sub-panel for Hot Tub

braisler · 05-09-2005, 06:10 AM

I know there are at least a couple of electrical contractors lurking here, so I hope that one (or more) of you can help me with this project. I need to wire (or hire out the wiring) of a sub-panel to run my new hot tub. The hot tub is located outside on my deck and about 30-40 feet, maybe a bit less, from my existing breaker panel. I have a QO SquareD panel that currently has plenty of space for additional breakers.

I am looking to install a 240V 50 AMP GFCI breaker in a sub-panel near to hot tub as is required by local code. So my questions are:

1. Do I need to put a new 50 AMP breaker in my main panel and run the wire out from there to the sub-panel, then into the 50 AMP GFCI, then out to the spa?

2. What gauge wire should I be running for this application? 6 gauge, 8 gauge, solid/stranded, insulated?

3. The run of the wire should be able to come out of my crawl space and go up under my existing deck to the location of the sub-panel. In this case, is it necessary or recommended to bury the wiring? What kind of conduit (if any) should I use? I seem to recall outdoor rating wire with extra jacketed insulation for this sort of thing.

Lastly, if I chose to hire a professional for all or part of this job, how much should I be paying for this kind of job. Just a rough cost estimation will do. I don't want to get ripped off.

I looked up a couple of the parts that I will need. Let me know if these are in line with what I should expect to pay an electrician. I'm not sure about how long the job should take, but I figure on $60-75/hour around here for labor.

The 50 AMP inside breaker (if needed) - $17
50 AMP GFCI breaker - $135
Sub-Panel box - $30
Conduit and fittings (as needed) - $25
6 AWG 3 wire solid copper (I couldn't find a price online for this) $??/foot

I would think that that gauge wire might be as much as $1/foot, maybe more. That puts the parts cost at around $200-$300. So with labor, I am thinking it might cost $400-500? Does that sound about right? Is there any major component that I have overlooked?

Thanks in advance.

05-09-2005, 06:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Help Wiring a Sub-panel for Hot Tub I know there are at least a couple of electrical contractors lurking here, so I hope that one (or more) of you can help me with this project. I need to wire (or hire out the wiring) of a sub-panel to run my new hot tub. The hot tub is located outside on my deck and about 30-40 feet, maybe a bit less, from my existing breaker panel. I have a QO SquareD panel that currently has plenty of space for additional breakers. I am looking to install a 240V 50 AMP GFCI breaker in a sub-panel near to hot tub as is required by local code. So my questions are: 1. Do I need to put a new 50 AMP breaker in my main panel and run the wire out from there to the sub-panel, then into the 50 AMP GFCI, then out to the spa? 2. What gauge wire should I be running for this application? 6 gauge, 8 gauge, solid/stranded, insulated? 3. The run of the wire should be able to come out of my crawl space and go up under my existing deck to the location of the sub-panel. In this case, is it necessary or recommended to bury the wiring? What kind of conduit (if any) should I use? I seem to recall outdoor rating wire with extra jacketed insulation for this sort of thing. Lastly, if I chose to hire a professional for all or part of this job, how much should I be paying for this kind of job. Just a rough cost estimation will do. I don't want to get ripped off. I looked up a couple of the parts that I will need. Let me know if these are in line with what I should expect to pay an electrician. I'm not sure about how long the job should take, but I figure on $60-75/hour around here for labor. The 50 AMP inside breaker (if needed) - $17 50 AMP GFCI breaker - $135 Sub-Panel box - $30 Conduit and fittings (as needed) - $25 6 AWG 3 wire solid copper (I couldn't find a price online for this) $??/foot I would think that that gauge wire might be as much as $1/foot, maybe more. That puts the parts cost at around $200-$300. So with labor, I am thinking it might cost $400-500? Does that sound about right? Is there any major component that I have overlooked? Thanks in advance. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---