Ask a Spark 6 (earthing of pool fences)

Earthing of pool fences

[@andyozzie7862]

Why do so many people not know the difference between earthing and bonding …..

[@ianandersen2130]

What I don't understand is why the spigots for a glass fence for instance need to be earthed? Like what is the common scenario which this regulation is trying to prevent, an anchor bolt contacting a live wire magically in the concrete or something? Somehow the glass became live, and yet the glass itself doesn't need to be earthed only the stainless spigot? Seems like such an odd regulation and I've always wondered what the rationale is for it.

[@GESA_Electrical]

Hi Ian. With most pools to be fibreglass, they are an insulator to earth. So if there was a fault at the pump or pool equipment, there could be a difference in potential. If you were to reach out of the pool to grab anything to get you out, chances are you might grab a spigot. While we understand the chances may be low, the potential is there to have a high resistance path to the breaker and it may not trip, hence the earthing of the spigot. Hope that makes sense.

[@felixxr6turbo]

What about aluminium pool fencing that is screwed together? Is that sufficiently electrically continuous to earth one end/post?

[@GESA_Electrical]

Same thing. Aluminum is an electrical conductor and as such must be earthed if it is within 1.25m of the ledge of the pool.

[@felixxr6turbo]

@@GESA_Electrical Sorry my wording wasn't clear. Would it be ok to earth JUST one end if the whole fence is screwed together? One electrically continuous piece so to speak.

[@GESA_Electrical]

@@felixxr6turbo unfortunately not acceptable. What happens if you remove one panel? Or another one? Hence each post must be earthed to guarantee the earthing to be effective