Pool bonding wrapper
Why you care (60 seconds)
Pool bonding is life safety. A missed bond grid or unbonded metal can create dangerous touch voltages around water.
Where people lose time
- Treating grounding and bonding as the same thing.
- Missing small metal parts that must be bonded.
- Skipping bond connections under decks or behind equipment.
This is
The rule in plain language
Pools need an equipotential bonding system that ties together conductive parts so people are not exposed to voltage differences.
When it applies
Pools, spas, and similar bodies of water with associated equipment.
What you must do (checklist)
- Bond required metallic parts and equipment.
- Provide the required bonding grid or conductor.
- Use listed bonding lugs and connectors.
- Verify continuity across the bonding system.
Quick examples
- A metal pool wall and ladder must be bonded.
- Equipment enclosures and piping require bonding per the rules.
This is not
Common misreads
- Thinking the EGC replaces bonding requirements.
- Assuming a concrete shell is automatically bonded.
What it doesn't cover
- Branch circuit sizing for pumps and heaters.
- GFCI rules for pool receptacles.
False friends
- A grounding electrode is not the same as the pool bond grid.
Exceptions & edge cases
- Some nonmetallic pools still require bonding of nearby metal parts.
- Listed systems may have specific bonding details in the instructions.
Cross-references (NEC map)
- Primary: 680.26
- Secondary: 250.50
Exam traps
- Confusing bonding with grounding electrodes.
- Missing required bonding of fixed metal parts near the pool.
Field notes
- Bonding continuity tests save time before final.
- Coordinate with pool builder to locate bond grid points.
AHJ / Local amendments notes (placeholder)
- Add local amendments or interpretations here.
Revision notes
- Draft wrapper created for pool bonding fundamentals.