Overview

As additional clarification becomes necessary in certain sections of The Code, it is common for these sections to be rearranged while adding the clarification. This is what has taken place in Section 680.44, which previously addressed only GFCI protection for spa and hot tub installations. The new revisions address additional GFCI protection requirements, include a new list item, and redefine existing list items. These changes will assist the electrical professional by providing additional options for shock protection to any users or personnel that may come into contact with, or may service, spa and hot tub equipment.

Applying the 2023 Code

The 2023 NEC has revised Section 680.44. These revisions include expanded requirements for GFCI and SPGFCI protection, the removal of an existing informational note, and an additional subdivision addressing gas fired water heaters. The expanded requirements for GFCI and SPGFCI expand the available options for ground-fault protection. It generally requires spas and hot tubs to be GFCI or SPGFCI protected, whether they are self-contained, packaged, or field assembled. Previous editions of the NEC included an informational note which indicated the definition of self-contained spa or hot tub and packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly were located in 680.2. This is no longer the case, and has been removed. The wording “listed, labeled, and identified” has been changed to just “listed.” Finally, subdivision has been added for gas-fired water heaters, which requires GFCI protection when such equipment operates above the low-voltage contact limit.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 680.44 read as follows:

680.44 Protection.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained spa or hot tub, a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly, or a field-assembled spa or hot tub shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

(A) Listed Units.

If so marked, a listed, labeled, and identified self-contained unit or a listed, labeled, and identified packaged equipment assembly that includes integral ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so forth) shall be permitted without additional GFCI protection.

(B) Other Units.

A field-assembled spa or hot tub rated 3 phase or rated over 250 volts or with a heater load of more than 50 amperes shall not require the supply to be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 680.44 reads as follows:

680.44 Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) and Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (SPGFCI) Protection.

(A) General.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the outlet(s) that supplies a self-contained spa or hot tub, a packaged spa or hot tub equipment assembly, or a field-assembled spa or hot tub shall have GFCI protection complying with 680.5(B) or SPGFCI protection complying with 680.5(C), as applicable.

(B) Listed Units.

If so marked, a listed self-contained unit or a listed packaged equipment assembly that includes integral GFCI protection for all electrical parts within the unit or assembly (pumps, air blowers, heaters, lights, controls, sanitizer generators, wiring, and so forth) shall be permitted without additional ground-fault protection.

(C) Gas-Fired Water Heaters.

Circuits serving gas-fired spa and hot tub water heaters operating separately from the spa or hot tub they serve, and operating at voltages above the low-voltage contact limit, shall be GFCI protected.