Overview

As improved technologies become available, the NEC must include updated codes addressing the improved methodologies. Traditionally, the NEC only addressed electric pool water heaters in Section 680.10. New technologies havebecome available for maintaining the temperature of pool water, and therefore Section 680.10 has been revised. Historically, only electric resistive heating was covered, as it was the primary technology available for pool temperature control. This revision now provides designers, installers, and authorities having jurisdiction guidance on equipment not previously used in these installations. With these new technologies available, and new guidance on using them, more options are available to end users for their pool water temperature control.

Applying the 2023 Code

Section 680.10 in the 2023 NEC has been revisited to address newer available technologies. Article 680 addressed swimming pools, fountains, and similar locations, while Section 10 addresses pool water temperature control equipment. Previous editions of the Code have only addressed resistive heating equipment, as that was traditionally all that was available. Electric heat pumps and chillers are becoming more commonplace, and therefore are now addressed in Section 680.10. Section 680.10 has now been split into two subdivisions. Subdivision (A) addresses resistive heating systems, and contains no new rules. Subdivision (B) now addresses electrically powered swimming pool heat pumps and chillers. It specifies that the equipment shall be listed, and the ampacity of the branch circuit shall comply with the nameplate. The addition of electric heat pumps and chillers to the NEC requirements will provide guidance to installers, designers, and authorities having jurisdiction for these technologies not traditionally used in the past.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 680.10 read as follows:

680.10 Electric Pool Water Heaters.

All electric pool water heaters shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over 60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall not be less than 125 percent of the total nameplate-rated load.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 680.10 reads as follows:

680.10 Electric Pool Water Heaters Incorporating Resistive Heating Elements and Electrically Powered Swimming Pool Heat Pumps and Chillers.

(A) Electric Pool Water Heaters.

All electric pool water heaters incorporating resistive heating elements shall have the heating elements subdivided into loads not exceeding 48 amperes and protected at not over 60 amperes. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall be 125 percent of the total nameplate-rated load or greater.

(B) Electrically Powered Swimming Pool Heat Pumps and Chillers.

Electrically powered swimming pool heat pumps and chillers using the circulating water system and providing heating, cooling, or both, shall be listed and rated for their intended use. The ampacity of the branch-circuit conductors and the rating or setting of overcurrent protective devices shall be sized to comply with the nameplate.