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	Subject - Pools and Spas David Hyatt I know we breifly discussed this but i still have questions.On a spa or pool GfCI protected (always). But was wondering about bonding motor shell and other metal around pool. Here is my take on the subject. I used to drive a seperate ground rod to bond pool and spa equipment. I was told this would cause a differential to ground. Not exactly sure what that means? Now I run the #8 wire back to the grounding electrode system. My understanding is the equipment ground on the pool motor is isolated from the motor shell, so the shell is not grounded? Unless there is a panel for the pool, and is feed by a four wire to connect the bonding wire, the bonding jumper will have to go back to the source? Let me know if this is correct. If you do drive another ground rod it will have to be bonded to the first one? David Hyatt I am really lost now, I was just reading 680.26 (A) FPN: This section does not require that the 8 AWG be extended or attached to any remote panel, service equipment, or electrode? Whats up with that. Also 680.22(a)1 says pump motors more than 10 foot from pool don't have to have GFCI? Help? David Hyatt All right folks whats up with this suject. Scott Vickrey Thanks David for making me reread Article 680. First lets review the difference between bonding and grounding. Bonding is the process of tying metallic objects together. Grounding is the process of tying metallic objects to ground. The fpn at section 680.26(A) is simply explaining that the purpose of the #8 solid wire is to prevent a difference in potential (voltage gradients) between the metallic parts required to be bonded around the pool by section 680.26(B). The fpn is telling you that this wire is not required to go back to the panel because it's not meant to be a path for fault current. The bonding grids sole purpose is to simply prevent the build-up of electrical potential from one metallic object to another (or voltage gradient). Now about the pump motors. After an exhaustive search I have found A pool pump only has to be GFCI protected if it's cord and plug connected to a receptacle within 20' of the pools inside wall. I strongly don't believe that section 680.22(A)(1) is giving the permission you stated but rather listing this as a requirement. And as far as bonding the motor shell. If it's a double insulated motor don't do it as this will defeat the double insulation rating. If it isn't double insulated the bond it to the common bonding grid at the pool. This grid can be the #8 solid conductor, the rebar, the metal walls of the pool or brass or other corrosion resistant IMC/RMC. David Hyatt Cool, so bonding the metal to a seperate source dosen't create a differnce to ground but prevents it. If the water or the metal somehow becomes energized the power will go to the bonding grid to ground. If lighting hits it will do the same? Also I heard something along time ago about lighting energizing a pool and the water was still and the electricity stayed until the water moved. Like when someone dived in. Is that possible? Also is what I said about the bonding in this post correct? David Hyatt Scott, I reviewed your answer once again and determined that you are correct, and we don't have to bond to any electrode, just bond the metal together. But what if the water somhow becomes energized? Or if the metal becomes energized? Bare with me on this because I am really starting to comprehend this whole bonding verses grounding idea. Scott Vickrey Preventing this kind of accidental energization is the job of the grounding conductor. Remember that everything that contains a live circuit is going to be connected to the grouonding system from the panel.