| FIRST! Regardless of what you hear on a sales
floor regarding power requirements, MOST of these spas will require a dedicated outlet rated at 115
Volts at 20 Amps, with its own circuit breaker. If you're not sure, or cannot get a straight answer, then look at the spa plug
itself. If the prongs on it look like a standard plug, then okay, it's a 15 Amp maximum rated
plug-in. However, if one of the prongs is sideways, instead of vertical, then it definitely is
a 20 Amp rated plug, and REQUIRES a dedicated circuit for it to operate safely and
efficiently.
Second, do not twist the sideways prong vertically
to plug it into a standard outlet!
There's a good reason the 115 Volt / 20 Amp circuit
is made this way. It's designed to ensure that the outlet is serviced to a 20 Amp capacity, to
prevent circuit overloading, wire overheating, and potential hazards for electrical fire!
Additionally, by having a dedicated 20 Amp outlet for the spa, you will prevent voltage drops for
other lights and appliances on the circuit, and inadvertent circuit breaker tripping from short
term overloads, such as during pump motor start-up.
Most outlets that are mounted for outside usage on
a home are rated at only 15 Amps, are connected to other outlets or lighting circuits, and are
unsafe to use.
Convinced about that 20 Amp circuit yet? No, well
try this: After three years of being plugged into the same outlet, that 15 Amp circuit breaker just
won't stay on anymore. Now you've got to call an electrician ($95 service call), and replace the
breaker (he'll probably charge $25 or more for it).
Still No? Are you sure that the spa circuit that
you've "rigged" to work isn't connected to anything else? Do you really want the voltage
variations, ie drops and spikes, not to mention the radio frequency noise from relay actuations and
such, that come from a spa connected directly to the same circuit.... as that $2500 home theatre
you just bought?
So, be safe folks, do it right the first
time!
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