Pool electrical safety: A Home owners guide
A home owners guide to keeping your pool electrically safe.
Water and electricity are a lethal mix. Even a small voltage of electricity exposed to water can cause drowning due to loss of muscular control. As a home owner, you are responsible for the safety of your pool.
Do you have electrical equipment or appliances near water?
Have your pool lights been certified by a licensed electrician?
When was the last time an electrician checked your pool or spa surroundings?
Pool safety should not be taken lightly. If you’re a homeowner with a pool, please keep reading…
Is your pool grounded?
Any electrical equipment and conductive metalwork in your pool area is required (by law) to be equipotential bonded — or in laymen’s terms: grounded to the earth.
Grounding (also referred to as Earthing) is an important safeguard against electrocution in pools.
What needs to be grounded?
Grounding is required for:
installations where the pool structure is conductive (ie sheet metal structure above ground pool) or contains metal within its structure (ie reinforcing steel mesh of the pool shell or immediate surrounding deck or shade structures)
conductive metalwork as a support system for plastic lined or fibreglass pools
any conductive metal greater than 100mm in any dimension within 1.25m of the pool edge
conductive ladders and diving boards associated with the pool
conductive fencing (metal posts, railings, panels) that is within 1.25m of the pool edge
Below is an example of an electrical bonding plan:
Any electrical work requires a licensed electrician
A licensed electrician must install and maintain any pool wiring or electrical equipment in your pool area, in order for it to be certified under state law.
Never attempt to do your own electrical work. Not only is it dangerous, it’s also illegal and can be fatal.
Image: Electrical testing on metal objects in a pool area.
Tips to keep your pool safe
Here are some tips to keep your pool electrically safe:
Keep extension cords and appliances away from your pool area
Monitor pool lights and seals for cracks or damage
Ensure appliances plugged in cannot fall or slip into the pool
If possible, eliminate any conductive metal within arms reach of the pool edge
Swap portable lighting for permanent outdoor lighting (requires an electrician)
Cost effective and efficient pool heating
Wish you could use your pool more of the year? Have some excess solar power you’re producing? Pool heat pumps are the answer for you! Checkout our webpage for more…
Speak to our local electricians
Are you planning to build a pool in your backyard? Engage Electrical Embassy early in the design/planning process. If you already have a pool and unsure if it’s been certified, give our team a call and book in a pool inspection.
Our friendly team can help with planning a new pool build or assess the condition of your current pool provide insights into the specific issues, and the cost of repairs if required.
At Electrical Embassy, we’re your trusted local authority in electrical and air conditioning services.
✅ Based in Yeerongpilly
✅ Upfront pricing
✅ On-time service
Connect with our friendly team to scope your next project and get your electrical questions answered.
Call us today on 07 3622 6443