How do i wire in a hot tub? (UK)?

Question

I am buying Hot Tub, which is an American import, and the shop has said it is a 32amp and needs to wire directly into the consumer unit with an RCD.

I was hoping to just plug it into the outside socket on the wall - (which looks like it shares the wires with our cooker as it is the opposite side to the wall) why can i not just do this??

I have a consumer unit which looks old (perhaps 1970's) which uses fuse wire. The shop has said this MAY be too old and could need replacing with a modern one before i get the hot tub. They would do this, and charge me for it. Is this correct??

If it does need replacing, how much should I expect to pay an electrician to do this, and wire in hot tub??

If i can use the existing consumer unit, how much should an electrician charge to just wire in the hot tub??

Thanks for reading my questions, and I hope someone can help out!!!

Answer 1

The socket in the wall will only carry 13 amps and should not be shared with the cooker supply. You MUST have this done profesionally, especially if you're in UK. The circuit must be an exclusive 32 amp breaker with a 30ma RCD. and there must be a suitable (splashproof) isolator close to the tub. It must be fully earth bonded and tested and certified by a competent person. ELECTRICIAN. Also ckeck that since this is a US import that it is a UK version suitable for 240/50 as US is 120/60. If you connect direct it will cause major damage. I would expect a local electrician to charge between £250 and 300 for the required work.

PS Ignore everything that vish (above) has said, VERY DANGEROUS TIPS

Answer 2

Don't have any idea what electricians charge in the U.K. A 32 amp unit would require a # 8 copper wire. If the hot tub requires a neutral ,the cable would have to be a 4 wire cable (2 hots, 1neutral. and a ground). Hot tubs require a disconnect within sight of the tub at least 5 feet away. Connection from disconnect to tub has to be done in rigid or flexible conduit. Hot tubs require a GFI. ,sometimes built into the tub. If not built in ,need GFI in main panel or disconnect. The circuit for the hot tub should be all by itself.With all due respect ,if you don' t understand what has been explained so far don't attempt to do it yourself. Get a qualified person and don't worry about the cost. You want to be around to enjoy your tub! Good luck.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do i wire in a hot tub? (UK)?
I am buying Hot Tub, which is an American import, and the shop has said it is a 32amp and needs to wire directly into the consumer unit with an RCD.

I was hoping to just plug it into the outside socket on the wall - (which looks like it shares the wires with our cooker as it is the opposite...

Answer 4

PLEASE do not take the advice that a ring main can take 33 amps and you'll be ok plugging into the mains....Duh..receipe for fire, particularly as your wiring seems to be old.

You'll need to run a dedicated supply, same as you do for a shower or cooker.

You cannot run it from the plug by the cooker.

You'll need to ensure it conforms to Part P regulations which means you either have to pay the coucil to inspect the work or get a Part P certified Sparky to do it.

New consumer unit ? about £300 if its easy to get to.

Dedicated 32 amp to consumer unit ? Depends on the run but expect it to be £200. Yuo will need an RDC which you can fit externally to your consumer unit ( but nearby ) uf you don't want to change the whole fuseboard. But as houses should be re-wired every 20 years you're on borrowed time already.

Answer 5

Electricity and water just do not mix so be very careful when trying to install it yourself. Better to get a couple of quotes from qualified electricians. Better to be safe than sorry.
I didn't copy from Leigh.... it just shows that we think the same .

Answer 6

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This is really something to find that many all together. For someone like me who is just really starting to get involved with woodworking this was like letting me loose in a candy store and telling me I could have anything I wanted. That was my dream when I was a kid.

Answer 7

firstly, america runs on 120 volts whereas we in the UK use 240 volts so you have to be sure that the 32A fuse suggested is for a 240V national grid.

secondly, (assuming you do need 32A for british national grid), you could theorectically just plug in it as the house mains rings use 2.5 square mm copper cable which handles 33A (in a ring) and is infact put on a 32A fuse. however, as the safety instructions suggest, you need to put it on an RCD which your house ring is not on.

RCD is there to protect you (especially when it comes to water) as it detects a leak in current much faster then normal circuit breakers. By law, appliances in kitchens, bathrooms/toilets, garages, lofts and outdoors have to be on an RCD circuit.

As far as i am aware, an old wire fuse box cannot accomadate an RCD circuit.

However, if your house was wired in the 1970's, you might not need to rewire your house. however, if the wiring is older (around 1940 - 1960) it is advised to rewire the house.

a great way to check is to VERY CAREFULLY unscrew one of your socket cases and look inside at the earth wire. if its relatively thin and made of copper, you should be OK. But if its thiock and made of steel (wiring pre-1940), then you should get the wiring updated.

rewiring should cost around £1500 - £2000 but thats a rough estimate. it depends on the house.

if you need anymore information, contact me direct at:-

[e-mail]

hope this helps

p.s. for the bloke who wrote the comments below, i am a very competant electrician and do all of my own work. my work is actually safer then most peoples houses. ive made sure that the electric companies wires will burn before mine ever do in any overcurrent event. i know what i am doing. i would not suggest anyone to undergo their own electric work but its not actually that hard either. electricians want people to believe its hard so they can rip people off for doing pathetically simple work.

also, the ring mains uses 16.5A wire (2.5 square mm). using it in a rin (as in the ring mains), gives it a 33A capability. the ring mains is connected to a 32A fuse to protect it. i do know what i am talking about.

Answer 8

I@d seek professional help - an electrician I mean not a shrink!

Answer 9

Get an electrician to do it as water and electricity do not mix!

Answer 10

these days it is illegal even to rewire a light switch unless you are an electrician.