08/14/2026
Swimming Pools and the Dangers of Electricity
If you or anyone you know has a pool you might want to read and share this to better understand the issues and electrical hazards associated with swimming pool safety.
Electricity and a wet body are a recipe for disaster! That’s why all swimming pools and spas are required to have GFCI protection and proper equipotential bonding. Yet there are still electrical injuries and fatalities occurring every year. These accidents happen for a variety of reasons:
• Installations are not up to the current codes and standards
• GFCIs are not tested periodically as required by the manufacturers
• Corroded, neglected and improper bonding terminations
• Electrical equipment failure
• Transient, or neutral-to-earth voltage
Most of these conditions can be detected by routine inspections and addressed by a qualified person such as a licensed electrical contractor.
If you are the qualified individual tasked with performing a pool inspection, be sure you understand electrical fundamentals, bonding and grounding, NEC requirements related to swimming pool bonding, NEV voltage related to utility wiring, and how to determine that swimming pools are properly bonded.
Always document your inspection findings in writing. If you find any unsafe conditions encourage your customer to shut down the pool, explain the hazards, and advise them what needs to be done before anyone uses the pool again.
For detailed information on How to Verify the Electrical System of a Pool is Safe in Accordance with the NEC, visit www.MikeHolt.com/Pools.
Circulate this information to your friends, family and customers - summer is almost here and thousands of people will be getting out of the heat by jumping into the pool!
